the ag extension ladder · 06/10/2014 · the farming category, under soils, and soil fertility....
TRANSCRIPT
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The Ag Extension Ladder “The boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the state”
Pepin County
UW-Extension Staff
Mike Travis, Agriculture Agent
Marie Ritscher, 4-H Youth Agent
Mary Wood, Family Living
Agent
Gwen Prom, Program Assistant
Page
CONTENTS
The Wisconsin Custom Rate Guide 2013 was published in March of this year. It can be accessed
at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/custom_rates_2013.pdf
or at the UW-Extension Office.
Upcoming events
This month’s newsletter looks back at the weather we have
had this season, and presents some thoughts to help you
prepare for the next growing season. And, if weather interests
you, let me encourage you to attend one of the meetings
coming on December 9, to hear Ag Climatologist Elwynn
Taylor from UW-Iowa. It will be very informative!
This year marks the 67th anniversary of the Pepin County
Farm Management Club. I look forward to seeing you at the
banquet and annual meeting!
Mike Travis, Ag Agent
October 2014 Vol. 1 No. 4
October 24 Cover Crop Fall Field Day. 10 am to 2 pm. Lone Pine & Prissel Field Site.
November 6 67th Annual Farm Mgmt Club Banquet. 8 p.m. St. Henry’s Parish Hall, Eau Galle.
November 11 Pest Management Update. Lake Hallie Eagles Club, Chippewa Falls. Call 715-726-7950 to register.
December 9 Farm Mgmt Club Annual Meeting. Noon at Club 10. Featured speaker: Elwynn Taylor, Ag Metteorologist, Iowa State Univ.
December 9 Weather, Grain Production, and Grain Marketing. 2 pm—4 pm. Watch for details.
The 2014 Growing Season 2
Soil Sampling Season 3
Pricing Beef for Direct Sales 4
Cover Crops, Soil Health Program 5
Cover Crop of the Month 6
The Ag Extension Ladder, October 2014 Vol. 1, No. 4
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The 2014 Growing Season
The 2014 growing season has nearly ended. Forage yields were good—especially compared to the last couple of years! Corn and
bean yields are expected to be quite good as well. The warm temperatures a couple of weeks ago were important in ripening of
crops. So lets take a look—what did the growing season look like in numbers?
First, precipitation. Although rainfall
varied throughout the state, the
Marshfield UW Ag Research Station
gives us a picture similar to what we saw
here in Pepin County. As shown in the
first graph, throughout the growing
season we were ahead of the 30-yr
average. By October 1st we were about
7 inches ahead of the average
cumulative precipitation.
Second, temperature. The next graph
shows the daily minimum and maximum
temperatures during the growing
season, and compares this year with the
30-yr average. There is high variability,
but throughout the year we see many
days where the maximum temperature is
well below average. July’s daily maximum
temperatures did not reach the normal
yearly peak, which slowed crop growth.
Growing degree units (GDUs) are shown in
the third graph shows: daily peaks and
daily 30-yr average (the jagged curves)
and the cumulative GDUs (the smooth
curves). The thin line in each curve represents
2014, the bold line represents the 30-yr average.
As of October 1, we were about 250 GDUs, or
10%, below the 30-yr average.
So the million-dollar question is, what can we
expect for 2015? How do I plan for next years
growing season? To help answer this question, on
December 9 we will be hosting Elwynn Taylor,
University of Iowa Extension Climatologist. Stay
tuned for details!
Climate is what we expect,
weather is what we get.
The Ag Extension Ladder, October 2014 Vol. 1, No. 4
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Soil Sampling Season
Fall is the ideal time of year to conduct routine soil sampling of
your cropland according to Kim Meyer, University of Wisconsin-
Madison/Extension’s Nutrient & Pest Management (NPM) Program.
Not only are weather conditions typically more favorable for soil
sampling as compared to the spring season, but you will then have
the winter months to think about upcoming management decisions
based on the soil analysis.
The NPM Program has a short how-to video on soil sampling basics.
The video provides a quick guide on how to prepare for soil sampling,
how to soil sample, and how to fill out the soil sample submission sheet to take to the soil testing laboratory. The video
‘Basic Soil Sampling for Wisconsin Agriculture’ can be viewed from the Integrated Pest and Crop Management website
at http://ipcm.wisc.edu under the video tab.
When sampling soils for testing and obtaining fertilizer and lime recommendations, it is important to obtain samples
that accurately represent the field from which they were taken. Accurate soil sampling will ensure that the estimated
amount of nutrients that should be applied to the field provide the greatest economic return to the farmer. They will
also provide information on the variation that exists in the field and show how nutrients are distributed across the
farm, as well as provide a basis for monitoring the change in farm fertility over time.
Also available from UW-Extension is publication A2100, Sampling Soils for Testing. This publication addresses various
soil sampling strategies, sampling procedures, as well as other considerations when practicing no-till or various tillage
systems. The publication can be downloaded for free at http://learningstore.uwex.edu. The publication is available in
the ‘Farming’ category, under ‘Soils’, and ‘Soil Fertility’. If you have additional questions about soil sampling or how to
obtain a copy of the publication, contact Mike Travis at (715) 672-5214.
The Ag Extension Ladder, October 2014 Vol. 1, No. 4
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Local foods are of increasing importance to today’s
consumer, and they are willing to take extra effort to
purchase food direct from the producer. This can be a win-
win situation where the farmer receives a premium price
and the consumer saves money over grocery store prices.
UW-Extension and Michigan State University Extension
recently developed a Freezer Beef Pricing Worksheet
to assist in estimating costs
and comparisons for direct
sale beef. An example from
the worksheet is shown
below. The worksheet is
simple to use. Values for
various parameters are
entered, and calculations are
made to determine price,
profits, and comparisons to
buying beef retail. An
example pricing from
September 2014 is also
provided for comparison, and
to guide entry of data.
The worksheet shows an
estimate of additional profit a
farmer would gain by direct
marketing. It also shows the
consumer the savings by
buying beef direct.
For more information about
this tool, or to obtain a copy
of the spreadsheet for your
own use, contact Ag Agent
Mike Travis at 715-672-5214.
Pricing Beef for Direct Sales
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Natural Resources Conservation Service
Pepin County Land Conservation Department
Pepin County Farm Management Club
Friday October 24, 2014 Lone Pine Tavern & Prissel Valley Farms
Time: 10 a.m.—2 p.m. Registration at 9:45 a.m. Location: Lone Pine Tavern, W2660 Hwy 10, & Field Site on CTH BB, Prissel Valley Farms Cost: $15—Lunch and materials are included (Friday Fish Fry) Registration: Pre-registration is helpful Mike Travis or Gwen Prom 715-672-5214 [email protected] Speakers will include Francisco Arriaga, UW-Extension Soil Scientist, John Sippl, NRCS District Conservationist, and Mike Travis, Pepin County Agriculture Agent
The use of cover crops to improve and
maintain soil health has been practiced and promoted by farmers for centuries, and it is the standard procedure in nature! In this program we will explore some of the science behind soil health and cover crops, how to incorporated these principles into your farm management, and the long-term benefits they bring to your farm’s productivity. Topics include:
Soil Health—What is it? A Hands-on Demo
Tillage, No-Till, and Soil Health
Will Cover Crops Work on My Farm? Improving Profitability The afternoon program will consist of a field tour to a 10-acre field planted to 8 different cover crop mixtures.
COVER CROPS,
SOIL HEALTH & Farm
productivity
The Ag Extension Ladder, October 2014 Vol. 1, No. 4
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Cover crop of the Month
Rye has been used for generations to build soil and suppress weeds. It is the hardiest of cereal grains, and can
be seeded later in the fall than other cover crops. Rye develops an extensive, soil-holding and nitrate-capturing
root system. Pair rye with an annual legume to provide early (legume) and later (rye) spring nitrogen release.