Tag Agriculture
UW project asks: What happens to irrigation water in Wisconsin’s Central Sands?
“You can't grow much here without irrigation," says farmer Justin Isherwood, "but we’re not sure how much is enough, and how to leave the same groundwater resource for the next generation."
Fine-tuning a new crop that saves soil, produces grain and forage for cows
A perennial crop called kernza is being tested at the Arlington Agricultural Experimental Station. It's part of an envisioned shift from farming annuals toward toward a one-time tilling and planting of perennials, followed by harvesting forage and grain for years or decades.
UW–Madison archaeologist elected to National Academy of Sciences
T. Douglas Price is an emeritus professor of anthropology, an expert on prehistoric agriculture in Europe, and a pioneer in the use of chemical isotopes to assess mobility in ancient peoples.
More homes built near wild lands leading to greater wildfire risk
New research out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison shows that a flurry of homebuilding near wild areas since 1990 has greatly increased the number of homes at risk from wildfires while increasing the costs associated with fighting those fires in increasingly dense developments.
GreenHouse program coordinator blends sustainability, student life
The learning community, one of 10 organized by University Housing, lets students explore sustainability and agricultural systems through seminars and hands-on experiences that are integrated with residential life.
Radar adds technological twist to age-old cranberry counting process
UW electrical and computer engineers, acting on an idea from a Wisconsin cranberry grower, have developed a device to make a laborious, time-consuming process more efficient.
Media availability with Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum experts
A 30-minute media availability will be held before the start of the Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum on Thursday, Jan. 25. The availability is set for 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. in the Traditions Room, located on the second floor of Union South.
Lethal management of wolves in one place may make things worse nearby
Farms that had a wolf killed experienced a 27 percent decrease in risk of another attack, but it was offset by a 22 percent increase at a number of farms in the same township.
Wisconsin agricultural outlook forum explores rural-urban divide
The forum will outline recent trends and future outlook for the state’s main agricultural products, but it will also explore how Wisconsin agribusinesses affect — and are affected by — the rural-urban divide.
UW–Madison professor led fight to ban pesticide DDT 45 years ago
Joseph Hickey took a brave stance — given Wisconsin’s deep roots in agriculture — by showing a connection between pesticides and declining bird populations.
Breeding highly productive corn has reduced its ability to adapt
Researchers studied corn planted across North America to find out whether selecting for corn that is acclimated to particular locations has changed its ability to adapt to new or stressful environments.
Curator at ag station helps growers keep close watch on potato health
By monitoring sugar levels, frying test batches of potato chips, and other techniques, Sam Perez helps growers decide when to market their stored potatoes.
UW students help run World Dairy Expo
About 100 UW–Madison undergraduate students, worked at the 2017 World Dairy Expo to make it run smoothly. The expo, which took place Oct. 3-7 at the Alliant Energy Center, is the nation’s largest dairy cattle show and trade show.
Conservation, collaboration, creativity: Grant County farmer charts own path, with a little help from scientist colleagues
Farmer Gerry Weiss stands as a key conduit between academic experts – many with roots in the soil – and those who make a living growing crops and animals.
Farmers using UW-built software statewide to cut pollution, plan soil fertility
A UW–Madison software program intended to cut water pollution and soil erosion has matured into an essential production tool for farmers
Wisconsin corn maze features 480-foot trilobite
Wiped out more than 250 million years ago, a trilobite today is the Wisconsin state fossil. It is also the defining feature of this year’s award-winning Treinen Farm Corn Maze in Lodi.
Having cows put proteins into milk, not waste, is researcher’s goal
“On average, only about a quarter of the crude protein in a dairy ration goes to milk,” says Professor Sebastian I Arriola Apelo.
Noted educator, scientist and entrepreneur Mark Cook dies at 61
“His work embodied the Wisconsin Idea, seeking advances and solutions in the areas of health and agriculture," says a colleague. "He was also a man of integrity, who felt a deep sense of service and commitment."
Study: Early farm exposure mitigates respiratory illnesses, allergies and skin rashes
Exposure to dairy farms early in life may dramatically reduce the frequency and severity of respiratory illnesses, allergies and chronic skin rashes among young children according to a collaborative study.
App helps farmers make the most of their corn harvest
A new smartphone app developed at UW–Madison could save farmers time and money during the fall feed-corn harvest and make for more content, productive cows year-round.