1

The Hancock Agricultural Research Station: "Integrating Research and Development for WI Agricultural Systems"

By Félix Navarro and Mary Lemere July, 2013

The Hancock Agricultural Research Station (HARS) is located in Waushara County in the part of

Wisconsin known as the “Central Sands”. Research at HARS began in 1916 by the College of Agricultural

and Life Sciences on land belonging to the Hancock Development Company. In those early years, the

intent of the research was to aid general livestock farmers in their attempt to make a living on the

droughty sands in Central WI. Six years later, the UW- Board of Regents purchased 95 acres from this

private company, and by 1934 they had acquired two more adjacent parcels for a total of 223 acres.

Research efforts for the next twenty years were directed towards dairy feeding, pasture utilization, soil

fertility management, and studies with coniferous and deciduous shelterbelt plantings for wind erosion

control. Irrigation possibilities came to the forefront in the late 1940s with aluminum pipe becoming

available and the discovery of an accessible underground water supply. Irrigation brought renewed hope

to the people of the area and redirected the college's research efforts. Studies began to reveal two-,

three-, and sometimes four-fold increases in crop productivity when irrigation was used. Seventy acres

were added to the station in 1962 to aid in irrigation research, provide low fertility land, and help offset

acreage lost by Hwy 51 relocation and 120 acres were added in 1971 to better serve the research and

outreach functions of HARS.

Hancock Agricultural Research Station headquarters

This station is one of twelve experimental stations administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (UW-CALS). The station’s sandy soils and climate are very

suitable to conduct research applicable to the agriculture in central Wisconsin and other similar agro

ecological regions. Research at the Hancock station focuses on irrigated vegetable and field crops with

an emphasis on potatoes, snap beans, cucumbers, field corn, sweet corn and carrots. One of the core

missions of HARS is to support the research and outreach activities of professors, academic staff and

students from different academic departments from UW-CALS. The University of Wisconsin, with the

support of stakeholders, has developed field and laboratory infrastructure necessary to conduct

research at HARS. Of the 412 acres of land, presently more than 300 are tillable. The station has

customized machinery, post-harvest handling and grading sheds, machine and repair shops, office space,

and public events facilities.

2

A highlight of the station that attracts a large number of visitors of the general public is the ‘A.R. Albert

& Villetta Hawley-Albert Horticultural Garden’. This horticultural garden located at the east side of the

fields, close to US Interstate 39 is a visible face and main image that thousands of travelers have of the

Hancock station. Presently the garden is maintained with active support and collaboration with master

gardener groups from the region.

The most recent and prominent addition to the station is the Hancock Storage Research Facility (SRF).

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Storage Research Facility was conceived, designed and built by the

potato and vegetable growers of Wisconsin. The potato growers of Wisconsin raised $3.2 million to

build the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Storage Research Facility in 2006. The facility contains nine bulk

storage bins and nine lockers for pallet research. Each bulk bin holds 2,000 cwt (200,000 pounds) of

bulk-piled potatoes mimicking commercial storage conditions. Each locker and bin has a separate air

handling and humidity unit to prevent cross-contamination between research projects.

University of Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility

3

The Mission

The Hancock Agricultural Research Station supports research projects, student training and outreach

activities of UW-CALS researchers, notably from the Departments of Horticulture, Plant Pathology,

Entomology, Soil Science, Agronomy and Forest and Wildlife Ecology. UW graduates and researchers like

ourselves we have firsthand knowledge of HARS’ effective role as a training facility for UW-Madison

undergraduate, graduate students, and summer interns. HARS is one of the greatest field laboratories in

the State of Wisconsin where technology is tested before it impacts growers’ fields, industry and the

environment. This facility is expected to play a central role integrating research and development for WI

agricultural systems and beyond.

A measure of Success

Success at the Hancock Ag Research Station can be defined and measured through the quantity and

quality of the research conducted here. A quick survey of recent research contributions to scientific

journals and reports may be a good indicator of the success of research conducted at this station.

Besides contributing to the scientific literature, researchers communicate project results in activities

conducted at the station in events such as separate annual field days on potato, processing crops and

ornamental plants. Similarly research activities are communicated in meetings with stakeholders,

growers and industry committees, other organizations and individual growers. A large number of

undergraduate and graduate students from different departments in CALS receive most of their hands

on experience at HARS. Faculty, staff and students doing research at HARS are part of the body of

scientists that keeps J.C. Walker’s spirit alive ‘with one foot in the furrow’.

Research

University of Wisconsin researchers have conducted at HARS a number of relevant projects that have

contributed significantly to agriculture in WI. These projects include improved soil and crop

management practices, post-harvest and storage management, better disease and pest monitoring and

control as well as new variety options in several crops. Present research projects are pursued to provide

appropriate management tools to growers and industry as well as to reduce impact of agriculture on the

environment. A sample of current projects carried out at the Hancock Ag Research Station is given

below.

Recent Research Projects Conducted at the Hancock Ag Research Station and Contributed to Scientific

Reports

Soil, Water and Nutrient Management

Nutrient Management Studies at HARS: A team of researchers from the UW-Soil Science Department

including Matt Ruark, Carrie Laboski and Keith Kelling, and A.J. Bussan and Jiwan Palta (Horticulture)

have conducted research on:

4

Slow-release nitrogen, urease inhibitor, and nitrification inhibitor fertilizer use in potato production systems

Nitrogen leaching losses in potato production systems on sandy soils Nitrogen use efficiency of improved sweet corn hybrids Interaction between sweet corn hybrids and potato varieties to planting density, and nitrogen

fertilizer application rate Predicting nitrogen release and the utility of petiole testing on potato Response of potato and snap beans variety to nitrogen and phosphorus Potato tuber quality enhancement in response to Calcium application Preservation and maintenance of low soil fertility area for future research

In addition to managing their research projects Matt Ruark and AJ Bussan provide guidance on nitrogen management to HARS.

Bill Bland and Birl Lowery from the Soils Science Department and AJ Bussan (Horticulture) have

addressed research needs on:

Water dynamics in drip and overhead sprinkler irrigated potato hills and development of dry

zones.

Water relations in the irrigated sand plain of Wisconsin

Effect of deficit irrigation on potato, snap beans and sweet corn

Variable rates of irrigation in potato, sweet corn and snap beans

Role of agricultural irrigation in ground water level fluctuations in central Wisconsin

Surfactant impact on nitrogen utilization and leaching in potatoes

In regards to irrigation management, HARS is implementing the Wisconsin Irrigation Scheduling

Program (WISP 2012) and soil moisture sensors as a checkbook method to monitoring root zone water

content in potato and other crops. This program was developed by John Panuska and Rick Wayne from

the Biological Systems Engineering and John Norman from the Soil Science Department. They

incorporated features from existing irrigation schedulers suggested by former Hancock ARS

Superintendent David Curwen and L.R. Massey in 1994.

Research on rates of irrigation with drip irrigation Linear irrigation system

5

Potato and Vegetable Agronomic Management and Extension

AJ Bussan’s research objectives include:

Precision management of potato and vegetables

Influence of management and climate on growth and development of potato and vegetables.

Improvement of sustainability and economic value of vegetable production systems.

Refine production practices including seeding rate.

Bulking rate and increasing earliness in vegetable production

Potato yield and quality response to subsoil tillage and compaction.

Optimizing management of new potato varieties.

Effect of vine-kill application on long term storage of potatoes.

Relevant information on the management of specific potato varieties is produced every year. In addition

to facilitating research conducted at HARS, the station facilitates research conducted in muck soils of

Endeavor WI.

Jed Colquhoun is responsible for weed science research activities in vegetable crops at HARS. His

program focuses on the development of integrated strategies for weed management that improve the

economic and environmental sustainability of crop production. Specific interests include crop tolerance

or suppression of weed interference, weed resistance management, and parasitic weed ecology and

management. Dan Heider conducts research on herbicide efficacy. Among recent and ongoing research

activities are:

Study of herbicide drift on potatoes

Potato herbicide efficacy evaluation

Potato herbicide evaluation for extended weed

control

Sweet potato herbicide efficacy evaluation

IR-4 Program: Efficacy and phytotoxicity of new

herbicides.

Herbicides evaluations for Hairy Nightshade

control

Vines kill evaluations

Herbicide carryover Efficacy and phytotoxicity of herbicide research plots

Potato and Vegetable Pest and Diseases Management

Researchers, including Amanda Gevens (UW-Plant Pathology), Russ Groves (Entomology), Ann

McGuidwin and Amy Charkowski (Plant Pathology) lead projects on pest and disease management. Their

objectives are to make accurate prediction of pest and disease occurrence and develop effective and

efficient control methods.

6

Amanda Gevens projects at HARS include:

Evaluation of foliar fungicide programs on potatoes

Disease forecasting and management (carrots and cucumber)

Use of vine removal and cover crops as biofumigants to manage Verticillium wilt on potato

Fungicide efficacy to control potato pink rot

Evaluation of pink rot on potato

Evaluation of carrot foliar diseases

Impact of dairy manure on potato production

Amanda Gevens inoculating potatoes with pathogens Stephen Jordan evaluating potatoes

Russ Groves’ projects at HARS include

New insecticide technology for Colorado potato beetle and potato leafhopper management

Colorado potato beetle overwintering emergence patterns and neonicotinoids resistance

Carrot insect pest management with foliar and systemic insecticides

PVY strains evaluation on potato varieties and epidemiology with Amy Charkowski

Russ Groves evaluating his PVY strains and Colorado Potato Beetle experiments at HARS

7

Ann MacGuidwin is the only plant nematologist at the UW-Plant Pathology Department. Two of her

primary research interests are the role of nematodes in the early dying disease of potato and the

overwinter survival strategies of nematodes. She has demonstrated in field trials that the nematode

Pratylenchus penetrans and Verticillium dahliae interact synergistically to cause potato early dying and is

now studying mechanisms responsible for the interaction. The emphasis of Ann’s program on the

overwinter survival of nematodes is to understand the ecological and physiological parameters which

enable nematodes in Wisconsin to survive freezing. The goal of this collaborative work is to develop

sustainable management strategies for nematode pests of potato, soybean, corn, and other crops

important to the north central region of the U.S

MacGuidwins’ projects at HARS include:

Nematode response to fumigation alternatives in corn, soybeans and potato

Interaction of Verticillim dahliae and Pratylenchus penetrans with greenmanure and solarization

influence on potato yield

Nematode suppression in soybean

Amy Charkowski is responsible for the Wisconsin Certified Seed potato agency. In addition she conducts

research in potato virus Y and soft rot. Her recent work focuses on:

Long-term storability of Potato Virus Y (PVY)infected tubers (with Russ Groves)

PVY management in drip and overhead irrigated potato

PVY management-National Minituber Inoculation Trial

Validation of sources of resistance to PVY of different origin. In collaboration with the potato

breeding program she is using marker assisted selection for the introgression of PVY resistance

to breeding clones

Amy Charkowski research group

8

Environmental Impact of Agriculture

Environmental fate of neocotinoids: a potato case study (Groves).

Slow release fertilizer effect on groundwater nitrogen concentration in sandy soils under potato

production (Ruark/Lowery).

Potato Germplasm Enhancement

Shelley Jansky is responsible for the enhancement of potato germplasm, including the use of genes in

wild or non-cultivated potato species and introgression of traits to Solanum tuberosum. One of her

strategies is the study of reproductive biology focusing on crossing barriers and mechanisms to

overcome these barriers. One of her strategy is ploidy manipulation using haploids and 2n gametes.

Projects developed at HARS include:

Inheritance of resistance to Verticillium dahliae in diploid interspecific potato hybrids.

Identification and introgression of PVY resistance from Solanum chacoense and development of

molecular marker for this resistance

Identification and introgression of common scab resistance and chip quality from Solanum

chacoense and development of molecular marker for this resistance

Release of seven clones in 2011 (M1-M5) for improving chip quality, M7 using S.

infundibuliforme for improving russet processing, and M8 using S. berthaultii as a new source of

genetic diversity in red potatoes. US breeding programs are actively using these clones.

Important collaborative work searching for resistance to early blight, late blight and PVY in

collaboration with Dennis Halterman.

Jansky also evaluate clones from different US breeding programs in a National Verticillium Wilt

experiment at HARS.

Shelley Jansky, Paul Bethke and Dennis Halterman research groups

9

Potato Breeding and Variety Evaluation

The goal of the UW Potato Breeding Program in the last few years has been to develop genetically

superior varieties that satisfy or exceed the standard for yield and grade in the fresh and processing

markets. The main objectives of the UW-Potato Breeding Program are as follow:

Development of processing and dual purpose processing and fresh market russet varieties

Development of fresh market russet varieties

Development of long storage chippers as potential ‘Snowden’ replacements

Development of early chippers as potential ‘Atlantic’ replacements

Development of fresh market red skin and specialty varieties

HARS has been of critical importance to the potato breeding program since it provides the opportunity

making selections in a production region where developed varieties are expected to perform well.

Projects carried out at HARS include:

Early years clonal selection in Year 3 for fresh market and processing traits

Evaluation of advanced clones in (Year 4-5)

Evaluation of elite clones (SpudPro trial)

National Chip and French Fry Processing Trial

North Central Regional Trial

Evaluation of breeding clones in permanent disease trials for common scab and Verticillium wilt

evaluation

Use of marker assisted selection for tuber internal and external defects

Use of marker assisted selection for PVY resistance (in collaboration with Amy Charkowski)

Left- Jiwan Palta explaining research conducted by the potato breeding program during a field

day

Right- Growers and industry evaluating potato varieties in the SpudPro trial conducted by Bryan

Bowen and Mary Lemere

10

A number of varieties have been released and protected by PVP in the last 10 years as a result of

selection at HARS, the Rhinelander Ag Research Station and data from collaborators. These include:

MegaChip, Freedom Russet, White Pearl and Villetta Rose. Some of these recent releases, particularly

MegaChip have been readily adopted. Figure below shows the impact of newly released clones in the

last eight years, measured as certified acres grown.

Certified seed acreage (2005-12) of new Wisconsin clones

Another wave of varieties has been named and is in the process of being protected and released; these

include Tundra, Nicolet, Accumulator and Lelah.

Data generated at HARS has been essential for selection and characterization of these varieties. The

breeding program has a number of elite clones with high potential as varieties. These have been

promoted by the SpudPro committee for virus removal and clean seed production for additional

research including on-farm testing. These include: W5955-1 and W6609-3 (chippers with common scab

tolerant), W5015-12 and W5015-5 (chippers with some tolerance to late blight), reds: W6002-1R,

W8405-1R and W8893-1R, W6703-1Y (yellow), processing russets: W6234-4rus and W8152-1rus (low

acrylamide) and fresh market russets: W9133-1, W8516-1rus.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Ha

rve

ste

d A

cre

s fo

r C

ert

ific

ati

on

11

Potato Storage Management and Evaluation of Cold Induced Sweetening on New Potato Varieties

(Paul Bethke, AJ Bussan, Mary LeMere, Amanda Gevens, Russ Groves)

Bethke: Focus is on the post-harvest physiology of potato tubers. Areas of emphasis include tuber

water relations, carbohydrate metabolism and physiological age. Long-term goals are to gain a more

detailed understanding of potato physiology, and to identify specific molecular and cellular events that

predict or influence the marketability of stored potatoes. Specific projects conducted at HARS include:

Vine-kill treatment and harvest date relation with persistent effects on tuber physiology.

Effects of infection on stem-end chip defect development in potatoes

Causes of stem end chip defect in chipping potatoes

Potato tuber dormancy

Impact of potato maturation in storage

Detecting storage pathogens by monitoring volatiles in the storage atmosphere

Tuber skin set in Wisconsin potatoes

A.J. Bussan and Dale Nelson observe bin research in research facility Mary Lemere conducts sugar extraction of potatoes

Bussan and LeMere: Characterize sugar profile and predict processing quality of new potato varieties

and elite breeding lines as well as provide service to growers to monitor sugars and processing quality

during harvest and post-harvest

Impact and pressure bruise in potatoes

USPB/Snack Food Association Trial: Elite chip clones from US breeding programs

Potato Fresh Market Trial: russet, reds, yellow flesh and specialties

Semi-commercial bin evaluation of elite clones with most potential for the fresh and processing

markets.

Bulk bin storage evaluations to determine best management practices for Umatilla, Innovator,

AO95409-1, Lelah, Lamoka, Nicolet, W5015-12, Tundra and Waneta

LeMere:

Monitoring sugar and processing characteristics for growers (Fee for service)

SpudPro Trial: Elite clones from WI breeding program; fresh market and processing.

Wisconsin Variety Trial: Advanced and elite clones; fresh market and processing

12

Gevens:

Evaluation of stored potato diseases (pink rot , silver scurf, black scurf and powdery scab)

Groves:

Long-term storability of Potato virus Y infected tubers

Snap Bean Breeding, Variety Trials and & Snap Bean Cultivar Evaluation (James Nienhuis, AJ Bussan,

Amanda Gevens)

Nienhuis focuses his research on integration of plant breeding with developing technologies in

molecular biology. In the last few years his research group executed projects on the following topics:

Developed varieties with resistance to root rot including: ‘Accelerate’ or UW3, and three

additional protected lines in collaboration with Felix Navarro and Michell Sass.

Marker-Facilitated Selection for a Major QTL Associated with Aphanomyces and Pythium Root

Rot Resistance in Snap Bean

Identification and confirmation of quantitative trait loci for resistance to root rot and bacterial

brown spot in snap beans

Nitrogen use efficiency on snap beans

Breeding for virus resistance on snap beans

James Nienhuis research plot comparison of Wisconsin root rot resistant lines and root rot susceptible bean varieties

13

Gevens:

Evaluation of fungicides to control white mold in snap beans

Bussan:

Commercial variety agronomic performance of snap beans and sweet corn

Snap bean irrigation and nitrogen use

Nitrogen mineralization and uptake in snap bean and sweet corn

Sweet corn variety trial conducted in collaboration with Midwest Food Processors industry

Cucumber & Melon Breeding

Yiqun Weng is responsible for cucurbit breeding. He replaced Jack Staub several years ago. The focus of

his program is on germplasm characterization and enhancement; genetics and genomics of important

traits in cucumber; development of molecular markers and applications in breeding practice; genetic

diversity, phylogenetics and comparative genomics in Cucumis species; development of cucumber

genomic resources. Weng projects at HARS include:

Fine genetic mapping of cp: a recessive gene for compact (dwarf) plant architecture in cucumber,

Cucumis sativus L

Spacing and genotype effect on fruit sugar concentration, yield, and fruit size of muskmelon

Inheritance of the Quantity of ß-carotene and Fruit Maturity of Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Nearly isogenic cucumber genotypes differing in leaf size and plant habit exhibit differential

response to water stress

14

Yiqun Weng and his research group discuss research strategies in cucumber breeding

Organic Production (AJ Bussan, Amy Charkowski, Jim Nienhuis, Amanda Gevens, Jed Colquhoun)

HARS has a field of 15 acres dedicated to organic production under corresponding certified production

practices. This allows researchers to evaluate the feasibility of organic practices on heirloon and new

crop varieties. Research projects executed include:

The feasibility of organic nutrient management in large-scale sweet corn production for

processing

Feasibility of organic weed management in sweet corn and snap bean for processing

Effect of organic amendments on soil borne and foliar diseases in field-grown snap bean and

cucumber

Root rot resistant varieties adapted to organic production

Food Safety (Jeff Ingham)

Escherichia coli contamination of vegetables grown in soils fertilized with non-composted bovine

manure

15

Outreach

Outreach activities conducted at HARS provides the opportunity for interaction between growers and

industry with UW faculty, academic staff, students and HARS personnel. This interaction is essential for

the communication of advances on research to stakeholders. At the same time growers and industry

provide guidance to help align research priorities with the needs of WI agriculture. Outreach activities

conducted at HARS include.

Meetings with stakeholders organized as grower and industry association committees

Meeting with individual growers visiting the station

Collection of samples from individual growers to be sent to pathologist or entomologists on

campus

Annual WPVGA sponsored Potato Field Day

Annual Potato Variety Harvest Expo

Midwest Food Processors field day (snap bean and sweet corn)

A.R. Albert & Villetta Hawley-Albert Horticultural Garden Twilight tour

Potato growers and industry personnel evaluate new elite potato A living proof that it is never too early

breeding lines at the Annual Potato Variety Harvest Expo to observe research advances!

Final Remarks

The mission of the Hancock Agricultural Research Station integrating research and development for WI Agricultural Systems is a service that the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has understood from the early years of the station. The College realizes the importance of research that addresses the needs of growers and industry. Historically, researchers such as J.C. Walker, a member of CALS from 1919 until his retirement in 1964 provided the proof of the value of research for agriculture. Walker developed disease-resistant varieties of cabbage, onions, beans, peas, beets, potatoes and cucumbers. Several times during the first half of the XX century, Walker's research prevented the collapse of key segments of the state's multimillion-dollar vegetable processing industry. His research also made vegetable production possible in many areas of the world where diseases previously had decimated crops. Today, the College, growers and industry have developed infrastructure to make possible great advances in research, student training and outreach. The integration of these elements are key to agricultural development in WI and beyond, in agreement with the Wisconsin Idea.