rire er - outagamie.extension.wisc.edu · 12/12/2019  · call and mail (i.e. paper trail) your...

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Greengs Producers, What can be said about 2019 that hasn’t already been said? There is a certain level of stubbornness those who choose agriculture as not only a business, but way of life must possess to remain resilient during the trials and tribulaons farmers faced this past growing season. The significant delays experienced at the beginning of the growing season combined with the tens of thousands of acres classified as prevented plant have leſt forage/feed supplies thin for many. Saturated soils resulng in standing corn, soybean, and sorghum-sudangrass/alternave crop further ad to the already exisng stress producers face. While overwintering grain crops isn’t ideal, you will find more info about harvest decisions, consideraons, and strategies in this newsleer. As we address the fallout of not only the 2019 growing season, but the cumulave affect and toll the past five years have taken on farm families, please know that you are not alone. The University of Wisconsin, Division of Extension has responded by posng a number of mely resources at hps://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/farmstress. These resources address subjects including, but not limited to How Stress Affects the Brain, Stress Management, Communicang in Times of Stress, and Your Farm’s Future. In addion, the UW-Madison, Division of Extension will be conducng the same annual update meengs we always have to keep farmers informed. Determining what adjustments producers can consider, implement, and apply to their farm’s overall management plan will be crical as we begin a new decade. Honest decisions surrounding your farm’s overall operaon now will increase the probability of posive outcomes as we approach 2020. One of the most rewarding aspects of working with and for agricultural clientele in Outagamie County the past two decades has been witnessing firsthand how friends and neighbors support each other in mes of difficult circumstance and need. My wish for each of you is a safe end to the extended harvest season and the prospect for the arrival of a kinder and more prosperous beginning of a new decade in 2020. Kevin Jarek Ag Extension Agent, Crops, Soils, and Horculture Agriculture Report Winter 2019 Table of Contents 3365 W Brewster St Appleton, WI 54914 920-832-4763 outagamie.extension.wisc.edu Calendar .......................... 2 Crops & Soils ............... 3-5 Upcoming Events ....... 5-7 News From Others......... 8 Dairy & Livestock ..... 9-10 Will this be your last newsleer? Turn to page 2 for more informaon!

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Page 1: rire er - outagamie.extension.wisc.edu · 12/12/2019  · Call and mail (i.e. paper trail) your crop insurance agent to let them know you may not be able to get the crop out before

Greetings Producers,

What can be said about 2019 that hasn’t already been said? There is a certain level of stubbornness those who choose agriculture as not only a business, but way of life must possess to remain resilient during the trials and tribulations farmers faced this past growing season. The significant delays experienced at the beginning of the growing season combined with the tens of thousands of acres classified as prevented plant have left forage/feed supplies thin for many. Saturated soils resulting in standing corn, soybean, and sorghum-sudangrass/alternative crop further ad to the already existing stress producers face. While overwintering grain crops isn’t ideal, you will find more info about harvest decisions, considerations, and strategies in this newsletter.

As we address the fallout of not only the 2019 growing season, but the cumulative affect and toll the past five years have taken on farm families, please know that you are not alone. The University of Wisconsin, Division of Extension has responded by posting a number of timely resources at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/farmstress. These resources address subjects including, but not limited to How Stress Affects the Brain, Stress Management, Communicating in Times of Stress, and Your Farm’s Future. In addition, the UW-Madison, Division of Extension will be conducting the same annual update meetings we always have to keep farmers informed. Determining what adjustments producers can consider, implement, and apply to their farm’s overall management plan will be critical as we begin a new decade. Honest decisions surrounding your farm’s overall operation now will increase the probability of positive outcomes as we approach 2020. One of the most rewarding aspects of working with and for agricultural clientele in Outagamie County the past two decades has been witnessing firsthand how friends and neighbors support each other in times of difficult circumstance and need. My wish for each of you is a safe end to the extended harvest season and the prospect for the arrival of a kinder and more prosperous beginning of a new decade in 2020.

Kevin JarekAg Extension Agent, Crops, Soils, and Horticulture

Agriculture ReportWinter 2019

Table of Contents

3365 W Brewster StAppleton, WI 54914

920-832-4763outagamie.extension.wisc.edu

Calendar .......................... 2

Crops & Soils ............... 3-5

Upcoming Events ....... 5-7

News From Others......... 8

Dairy & Livestock ..... 9-10

Will this be your last newsletter?

Turn to page 2 for more information!

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January7 Cow College | FVTC Regional Center, 525 S Main Street, Clintonville | 1- 3 pm8 Agronomy Update Meeting | Liberty Hall, Kimberly | 7:30 am14 Cow College | FVTC Regional Center, 525 S Main Street, Clintonville | 1-3 pm14-16 WI Agribusiness Classic | Alliant Energy Center, Madison | 8:00 am15 Sheep/Goat Zoom | Extension Outagamie County, Room ABC | 7:30-9:00 pm (open to the public, for more information call Sarah Grotjan, 832-5129)18 BQA | Extension Office, Appleton | 9:30 am21 Cow College Farm Tours | Manawa: 10:15 am, Bear Creek: 11:15 am (see page 11 for more info)28 WI Agricultural Outlook Forum | Madison | 10:00 am28 CAFO Workshop | Tundra Lodge, Green Bay30 CAFO Workshop | Crystal Falls Banquet Hall, New London 31 Supporting Farmers Meeting | Tundra Lodge, Green Bay | Agribusiness: 9:00 am, Farmers: 12:30 pm

February1 Joy Conference | Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton | (For more information visit: outagamie.extension.wisc/edu/joy2020)4 WI Ag Day at the Capitol | Madison 14 Pesticide Applicator Training Certification | Extension Office, Appleton | 9:00 am17-19 Midwest Forage Association Annual Symposium | Chula Vista, Wisconsin Dells20 Outagamie Forage Council Annual Meeting | Jackson Point Sports Grill and Banquet, Seymour | 10:00 am21-22 Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference | Chula Vista Resort, WI Dells (held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Winter Convention)24 Pesticide Applicator Training Certification | Extension Office, Appleton | 9:00 am27–29 MOSES Organic Farming Conference | La Crosse Center, La Crosse29-March 1 Farm Couples Weekend Getaway, Appleton

March1 Applications due for the 2020 Sesquicentennial and Century Farm & Home Program 3, 10, 17 Employers of Choice Workshops | Wrightstown Community Hall, 352 High St., Wrightstown | 1–3:30 pm31- April 2 Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Farm Show | EAA Grounds, Oshkosh

Calendar

Newsletter Mailing List UpdateWe are updating our mailing lists. Do you want to continue to receive a paper copy of this newsletter in your mailbox, or do you prefer to have it emailed to you? Please let us know your preference by filling out the form online: http://bit.ly/2m12YsC or calling our office: 832-5122.

We must hear from you before the next newsletter is mailed for you to continue to receive it.

If you have already signed up, thank you! You will continue to receive our newsletter in your preferred method.

Have you signed up for the Ag Newsletter?

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Crops & SoilsDealing with Wet Frozen Soybeans

Like many farmers the UW BeanTeam still has soybean sitting in the field. Both locations (FDL and East Troy) have not been fit to run since maturity and FDL had 7 inches of snow piled on top of standing water yesterday. Anyway…. once fields freeze and we can get back after the crop, here are a few things to consider. Check back as this information will likely be updated as I glean more information and receive audience feedback. This information is provided in greater detail in the below two excellent resources.

1. Call and mail (i.e. paper trail) your crop insurance agent to let them know you may not be able to get the crop out before the deadline.

2. Take what you can get this fall. Soybean does not “store” well in the field over the winter. Shatter and seed quality degradation may lead to an unmarketable crop if taken in the spring.

3. Set the combine and check it often if you are running snow through the housing. The cold temperatures may be to our advantage as the snow should move easier.

4. Header shatter will be an issue. Make sure you set the combine to manage flow. Remember for every 4 seeds per square foot on the ground that equates to roughly a bushel in yield loss.

5. Double check your combine moisture with another device to verify correct moisture as this cold weather will wreak havoc with sensors. We pulled beans today and they were 16.4%.

6. Call ahead and around. Verify what the elevators will take in terms of moisture content. Furthermore some elevators are assigning a wet bin to assist farmers in harvest.

7. Do not harvest and store wet beans on farm. I have heard some coffee shop talk about cutting and “freeze blasting the soybean seed”. This is a bad idea.

8. Don’t use too much heat. It appears that 100F is about the right temperature to minimize splits.

Drying and storing wet soybeans Harvesting and storing soybeansUpdates from Brian Luck regarding combine settings:

Harvesting soybeans later than intended can present many challenges for minimizing harvest losses. These challenges are amplified when snow is on the ground and impacting harvest. Minimization of losses starts at the header. Checking that the sickle bar knives are sharp and the guards are adjusted properly will ensure the

stems are being cut rather than broken or leaned over by the header. Generally, reel speed should be slightly faster than grounds speed to make certain the plants are being collected by the header. Another good practice for harvesting soybeans in wet and snow covered conditions is to reduce the combine ground speed while harvesting. This will give the machine extra time to cut the plants and ensure that they are transported to the throat of the machine with minimal damage or losses.

Concave clearances, rotor speeds, fan speeds, and sieve settings all depend on the condition of the crop at harvest. If the beans are generally dry but the stems, pods, and remaining leaves have increased moisture contents more aggressive threshing may be required to clean the plant material from the crop. More aggressive threshing can also lead to damage and reduced crop quality. Incremental adjustments of concave clearances (increase for wet conditions) then threshing rotor speed (increase for wet conditions) will help to find the optimal settings. Also, ensure that you have a uniform feed rate into the machine maintaining a consistent load on the threshing rotor to ensure optimal performance. Finally, increased fan speed can help pneumatically separate the soybeans from the plant material, however this can also lead to greater losses through the sieves if set too high.

Small adjustments to these combine settings can have a big impact on the performance of the machine. Check for losses behind the combine often to make certain that your harvest is as efficient as it can be in adverse conditions. Try to identify where losses are happening when operating the machine. If you can see beans leaving the header focus on minimizing that loss before making any other adjustments. Incorrect settings at multiple stages in the combine can significantly increase losses and will be difficult to identify.

References:

https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2017/tips-harvesting-soybeans-13-15-moisture

https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2016/09/consider-combine-adjustment-wet-field-conditions

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/recommendations_for_a_late_soybean_harvest

https://agfax.com/2019/10/09/ohio-soybeans-is-a-late-harvest-in-your-future/

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Crops & SoilsTHERE ARE RUTS OUT IN MY FIELD: DEALING WITH WET SOILS IN THE FALLFRANCISCO ARRIAGA, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND EXTENSION STATE SPECIALIST, DEPT. OF SOIL SCIENCE, WILLIAM HALFMAN, AGRICULTURAL AGENT, EXTENSION MONROE CO

Most of the state has experienced wet conditions during harvest. Equipment traffic on wet soil increases the risk for soil compaction and rutting. And there have been observations of deep tillage occurring on fields that are too wet for it to do any good.

The level of compaction and rutting that can be created depends in multiple factors; number of passes done, axle loads of the equipment, type of tires (flotation tires, duals or tracks), and other factors. Tillage is often needed to fixsubsoil compaction and rutting. However, doing tillage when soils are wet will make matters worse. Following are some things to keep in mind.

The relative depth of compaction that can be created in wet soils depends on the level of soil wetness at the time the soil is trafficked. Briefly, soils trafficked when soil moisture is around or wetter than field capacity have a greater risk for rutting than subsurface compaction (deeper than 6 inches). Refer to figure 1 for a more detailed explanation.

Surface ruts don’t always indicate that subsurface compaction is present. Use a penetrometer to determine if subsurface compaction is present. If there isn’t subsurface compaction present, there is no need for deep ripping (also known as sub-soiling or deep tillage).

Doing tillage in spots to fill deep ruts is good approach rather than doing heavy tillage in an entire field. Deep ruts might take 2 to 3 tillage passes to get them filled in.If soil conditions are still too wet after harvest, waiting until soils are dry enough for the tillage to be effective, possibly later in fall or spring to fix rutted areas and subsurface compaction is a better alternative than fall tillage. Tilling wet soils will create more issues as it leads to more aggregate breakdown and hardening of the soil. Avoid making clods.

Clay smearing is more likely to happen when tilling wet soils. Soils with smeared clay will have a reduced infiltration capacity and can create issues forseed germination.

Limited research has been conducted on tilling frosted soils. Results have been mixed. The biggest factor is the amount and depth of frost present in the soil. The amount of frost can help carry some of the equipment load, but as soil frost increases, the amount of horsepower needed for the tillage operation goes up too.

Tilling wet soils can create more problems rather than solve them. Waiting until spring to fix ruts or soil compaction can be a good strategy. Increasing soil aggregation is a good long-term strategy for improving the trafficability of fields. Timely manure applications, cover crops and reduced tillage practices (including no-tillage) are all good strategies for increasing soil aggregation.

Figure 1. Example of the level of soil compaction, or bulk density, a silt loam soil can achieve at

different water contents.

Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper MidwestNovember 25, 2019

To view this and previous reports, visit the Team Forage website:

https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/

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Crops & SoilsWhat to Expect from Corn Moisture Levels Overwintering in the FieldKevin Jarek, Crops, Soils, and Horticulture Agent

We have many areas in Outagamie County where the soils are saturated to the point where until we have cold temperatures, it is unlikely that harvesting equipment will be able to remove the crop. Early in my career, some of the existing data suggested that more times than not, once we got to November there was little that could be expected as far as grain moisture levels moving lower. The threat of snow, lodging, wildlife damage and a host of other risks exist in letting the crop overwinter in the field. The graph to the right tracks the moisture level changes during other years where a greater percentage than normal of the crop remained in the field. While every farms’ individual situation is different, hopefully the information can at least provide you with an estimate of what you may expect to see based on the time the corn crop remains in the field.

Upcoming Events2020 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook ForumRegistration is now open for the 2020 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum, The Business of Hemp in Wisconsin!

The Forum will continue to include the traditional Situation and Outlook for Wisconsin agricultural commodities (dairy, corn, soybeans, beef) during the morning section. The afternoon section this year will focus on the business and marketing of Wisconsin hemp and will include a panel discussion with experts from other states bringing new perspectives to this growing industry in Wisconsin.

For more information go to: https://renk.aae.wisc.edu/ag-outlook-forum/

Below is the link to the registration page: https://uwccs.eventsair.com/2020wiagoutlook/reg/Site/Register

Wisconsin Dairy and BeefWell-Being ConferenceFebruary 21-22 | Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells

Extension will be hosting its annual conference to address the issue of animal handling and well-being.

The 2020 Wisconsin Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference will be held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association Winter Conference

Registration – https://www.wisconsincattlemen.com/events/winter-conference

$60 cost per person (preferably by February 14th)

Topics:• BQA & FARM updates• Pain mitigation for dehorning• Reverse corkscrew and heifer lameness• Animal welfare trends in beef• Consumer trends• Public perception of animal welfare

For more information about this program, please look through the website at: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/animalhusbandryconference/

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Upcoming Events

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Upcoming EventsSupporting Farmers In Challenging TimesWho: Agribusiness and Farmers

What & Why: • Speakers will address topics of climate change and risk

management • Farmer panel will lead a discussion on coping with life

and farm business change

When: January 31, 2020• Morning Session for Agribusiness – 9:00 to 11:30 am• Afternoon Session for Farmers – 12:30 to 3:00 pm (Each session will have same speakers, same topics)

Where: Tundra Lodge, Green Bay

For more information contact either Kevin 832-5128 or Sarah 832-5129 at Extension Outagamie County or go to our website https://outagamie.extension.wisc.edu/

BECOMING THE EMPLOYER/MANAGER OF CHOICE LEARNING & DISCUSSION SERIESWho: All who are interested in learning to increase their employee management awareness and ability

What & Why: These interactive sessions aim to build skills in a variety of human resource management topics which are important to farm businesses. Learn from others and take home effective and practical approaches to human resource management on farm businesses.

When: March 3, 10, 17, 2020 | 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm Come to one, two, or all three sessions!

Where: Wrightstown Community Hall, Wrightstown

For more information contact Sarah Grotjan, 832-5129, [email protected], or go to our website at https://outagamie.extension.wisc.edu/

Pesticide Applicator TrainingFebruary 14 and 24 | Extension Outagamie County

If your certification will expire soon, or if you have never been certified, make plans to attend this training!

The training consists of a presentation and discussion, then the exam. You must provide some form of positive iden-tification such as driver’s license or social security card proof of ID. When you come for the training and exam, please have your social security number with you; it is required for the test. All sessions begin at 9:00 a.m., break for lunch and end sometime after 3:00 p.m.

You must register in person at the Extension Outagamie County Office to pick up the training manual. Please register at least a week (seven days) before the session you want to attend. The registration fee is $30, payable to Extension Outagamie County.

Following are the two training sessions in Outagamie County this year:

Friday, February 14, 2020Extension Outagamie County Office - 3365 W Brewster Street, Appleton

Lunch on your own-bring bag lunch or eat at a nearby restaurant – 45 minutes

Monday, February 24, 2020Extension Outagamie County Office - 3365 W Brewster Street, Appleton

Lunch on your own-bring bag lunch or eat at a nearby restaurant – 45 minutes

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News From OthersBadgerCare Plus – A Health care coverage program for low-income Wisconsin residentsIf you are interested in BadgerCare+ this website may help answer some of your questions. There is a tab that allows the user to toggle between BadgerCare+ and Marketplace health insurance.

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/getcovered/options.htm

If you need help you with the procedures for applying for BadgerCare+ or Marketplace health insurance, dial 2-1-1. You may also call The Partnership Community Health Center (920-882-6420). They have two locations, Appleton and Oshkosh, and they will be glad to help you as well.

If you have any trouble getting answers for the BadgerCare+ program, please call Sarah Grotjan, 832-5129 or email [email protected].

2020 Sesquicentennial and Century Farm & Home Program ApplicationsOfficials at Wisconsin State Fair are pleased to announce that applications are now available for the 2020 Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award, a prestigious award given to families who have dedicated their life to Wisconsin farming for 100 or 150 years. There are currently 9,613 Century Farms and Homes and 919 families have earned the Sesquicentennial Award.

To qualify for the award, families are required to provide proof of continuous family ownership of a property in the state of Wisconsin for either 100 or 150 years. All property owners will be honored at a special Century and Sesqui-centennial Farm and Home Award Program held on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in conjunction with the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair.

Honorees will receive complimentary Fair admission tickets, an invitation to the awards breakfast, a commemorative photo, a certificate and an outdoor display sign.

Applications for the Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award are available now and must be postmarked by the application deadline, Sunday, March 1, 2020. Applications are not available online and only one certificate may be issued per property.

To request a copy of either application, contact Sarah Grotjan, Outagamie County Ag Educator at 920-832-5129 or [email protected] or you may contact Jill Albanese, Director of Competitive Exhibits at 414-777-0580 or write to:

Century or Sesquicentennial Farm & Home Program 640 S. 84th StreetWest Allis, WI 5321

Farm Couples Weekend GetawayFebruary 29 - March 1 | Appleton, WI

Extension is partnering with Wisconsin Farm Center at DATCP to offer a Farm Couples Weekend Getaway this winter in Appleton.

Plans are underway, more information will be forthcoming. For more details please call the Extension Outagamie County 832-4763 and ask for Sarah or Karen, or check our website https://outagamie.extension.wisc.edu/. Details should be available after January 1.

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Dairy & LivestockDairy Situation and Outlook, November 19, 2019By Bob Cropp, Professor EmeritusUniversity of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Milk prices are showing a strong recovery for the last quarter of the year. The Class III price averaged just $14.30 first quarter, $16.20 second quarter, $17.82 third quarter and is estimated to average near $19.15 fourth quarter averaging about $2.20 higher for the year compared to last year ($16.80 vs $14.61). Class III was $18.72 in October and will be near $20.20 for November before falling back to around $18.60 for December. The last time Class III was above $20 was November 2014. Much improved cheese prices pushed up the Class III price. On the CME 40-pound cheddar blocks were above $2 per pound most of September being as high as $2.375 and most of October before falling below $2.00 on November 12th and has fallen all the way to $1.8375. Barrels were as high as $1.94 per pound on September 16th, fell to $1.6125 on September 24th before starting to recover reaching $2 on October11th, staying higher than blocks from October 24th to now, peaking at $2.39 on November 6th and now has fallen to $2.15. There were some strange relationships between blocks and barrels. At one time in September barrels were $0.44 below blocks ($2.38 vs $1.94). Then on November 12th barrels were $0.375 higher than blocks ($2.315 vs $1.94).

Cheddar cheese production running 3.1% below a year ago in September, good seasonal cheese sales and strong September cheese exports all tightened cheese stocks, and contributed to higher cheese prices. September cheese exports were 12% higher than a year ago led by increases of 31% to Mexico, 9% to South Korea and exports nearly triple to United Arab Emirates. Cheese exports to date were 3% higher than a year ago. September 30th American cheese stocks were 4.0% lower than a year ago.

The Class IV price was $16.39 in October and will be near $16.70 for November and could reach $17 for December. Higher nonfat dry milk prices have more than offset lower butter prices. On the CME butter prices have been up and down during September and October being as high as $2.235 per pound and as low as $1.0475 with October averaging lower than September, and continued weakening in November. Butter is now $2.0650 per pound. Nonfat dry milk was as low as $1.0475 per pound early September and has fluctuated up and down since, but trended upward during October and November with the current price at $1.235. Tighter stocks and higher exports pushed up nonfat dry milk prices. September nonfat dry milk exports were 25% higher than a year ago.

Exports were 36% higher to Southeast Asia and 14% higher to Mexico.

After monthly increases of less than 1% February through August U.S. milk production increased 1.3% for both September and October. Milk cow numbers were trending downward since the beginning of the year, but increased 5,000 head September to October. October milk cow numbers were 0.4% lower than a year ago, but 1.7% more milk per netted the 1.3% increase in milk production.

October milk production compared to a year ago showed Texas leading with an increase of 9.3%, followed by increases of 6.0% for Colorado, 4.8% for South Dakota and 3.0% for Michigan. Milk production was up 2.8% in California, 2.3% in both Idaho and New Mexico, 1.8% in New York and 1.0% in Wisconsin. Major deceases in milk production occurred in Virginia -7.0%, Arizona -5.6% and Pennsylvania -3.5%.

Milk prices are forecasted to average higher in 2020 than 2019. A key is the level of milk production. Dairy farmers respond to higher milk prices by producing more milk. But, several factors will dampen increases in milk production. After four and half years of very depressed milk prices dairy farmers lost equity. They will need to build back equity before major expansions. With higher milk prices dairy farmers may find it still profitable to keep lower producing cows. But, the growth in the size of the nation’s dairy herd will be limited to the continued exiting of dairy farmers and a tighter supply of dairy replacements. The increase in milk per cow will be dampened by a little higher feed prices and lower quality forages. A wet spring, summer and fall delayed planting, the harvesting of quality hay, haylage and corn silage all of which could impact milk per cow. Furthermore, in the Northeast and the Upper Midwest milk supplies are still keeping milk plant capacities rather tight and at a level to meet market needs so milk plants are not encouraging expanded milk production. USDA is forecasting 2020 milk production to be 1.7% higher than 2019, the result of just 10,000 more milk cows, but 1.7% more milk per cow. I think this increase in milk per cow could end up on the high side.

Continued on page 10

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Dairy & LivestockDairy Situation and Outlook, November 19, 2019(Continued)

On the demand side, domestic cheese sales are expected to show continued growth. Dairy exports are expected to be higher than 2019. World milk production amongst the major dairy exports, EU, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia is expected to show only modest growth holding down growth in their dairy exports and opening up op-portunities for the U.S. World dairy product prices should also strengthen.

Once the holiday demand for butter and cheese is over and as we move into next year we can expect cheese prices to weaken, which is already occurring and the Class

III price to fall below $18 by January. As of now I could see the Class III price averaging in the $17.40’s for the first quarter, the $17.30’s for the second quarter, the $18.20’s for the third quarter and the $18.70’s fourth quarter for an average near $18 for the year, more than a $1.00 higher than 2019. But, this is a higher forecast than USDA which forecast an average of $17.50. Current Class III futures are also lower especially for the second half of the year when Class III stay well below $18. But, a lot can happen as we go through the year that will change forecasts.

MOSES 2020 - Organic Farming ConferenceFebruary 27-29 | La Crosse Center, La Crosse

Keynote Speakers Leah PennimanSoul Fire Farm

Friday 1:30 p.m. in the Gathering Hall“Uprooting Racism. Seeding Sovereignty.”

Some of our most cherished sustainable farming practices—from organic agriculture to the CSA—have roots in African wisdom. Yet, discrimination and violence have deprived the Black community of farmland, capital, and healthy food access. Soul Fire Farm is part of a national network working toward food sovereignty and land justice. Learn how we can build upon Afro-Indigenous wisdom in reshaping the food system to be based on equity and abundance rather than exploitation and deprivation. Another world is not only possible, it’s on the way!

Leah Penniman is a Black Kreyol farmer/peyizan, author, and food justice activist who founded Soul Fire Farm in 2010 with the mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim our ancestral connection to land. Soul Fire’s food sovereignty work has been recognized by the Soros Racial Justice Fellowship, Fulbright Program, Grist 50, and James Beard Leadership Award, among others. Leah’s new book, Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land, is a love song for the land and her people.

John IkerdProfessor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics

Saturday 1:30 p.m. in the Gathering Hall“Reclaiming the Future of Farming”

Speaking at the 1999 MOSES Conference, John said, “The food and fiber industry most certainly has a future… But there will be no future for farming unless we have the courage to challenge and disprove the conventional wisdom that farmers must either get bigger or get out.” He saw the potential for a positive future for farming that wasn’t about more and better industrial technology but about people.

At the 2020 MOSES Conference, John looks at why a “great transformation” didn’t happen in agriculture—people-centered farming posed a threat to the corporate agri-food status quo—and shows how the growing public awareness of people-centered farming systems as a way to mitigate the negative ecological and social impacts of industrial agriculture offers new hope for the transformation of the farm policies needed to reclaim the future of farming.

John was raised on a small dairy farm in Missouri and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri. He worked in private industry for a time and spent 30 years in various faculty positions at four different state universities before retiring in early 2000. Since retiring, he spends most of his time writing and speaking on issues related to sustainability with an emphasis on agriculture and economics.

For more information visit: http://bit.ly/MOSESconf

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Cow College 2020

FVTC Regional Center 525 S. Main Street

Hwy 22/45 Clintonville, WI

January 7 (1-3 PM)

Alternative Forages as Your Primary Feed Source?Dr. Matt Akins, Extension Dairy Management Specialist, UW-Madison

Learn how forages like small grains, sorghums and mixes might replace alfalfa in milk cow diets.

Feeding Strategies to Maximize Milk ComponentsDr. Zach Sawall, Central WI Dairy Nutritionist/Support Specialist, Vita Plus Corporation

Dr. Sawall grew up on a dairy farm just south of Clintonville. He will discuss ways to maximize milk components using dairy nutrition and feeding strategies that can boost dairy farm profitability.

January 14 (1-3 PM)

Dairy Breeding Strategies in an Era of High Pregnancy RatesDr. Paul Fricke, Extension Dairy Reproduction Specialist, UW-Madison

Getting high producing cows bred on time has always been and will always be one of the biggest challenges to dairy farm profitability. As a key advisor to many WI bovine veterinarians and AI organizations, get the latest research on ways to improve and maintain your dairy herd reproductive performance from one of the leading experts in the world.

Evaluating Your TMR: Little Things Matter the Most!Jim Livingston, Diamond-V Dairy Team Regional Manager

Kimberly Schmidt, Shawano County Extension Ag Educator

Find out how on-farm, real-time TMR mixer evaluations and monitoring the feeding behavior of your cows can help improve production and save you money.

January 21 - Farm Tour10:15 AM Fietzer Dairy Farm - E8276 Co Hwy N, Manawa 54949

2016 Lely robotic milking system (6 Bot/3 Paired), six-row natural ventilated 360 Cow freestall barn11:15 AM Clinton Dairy Farm - E8351 State Hwy 22, Bear Creek 54922

2019 Waikato 50 cow rotary parlor, 250 cow holding area & 6-row tunnel ventilated freestall Barn12:30 PM Lunch – FVTC Regional Center – State Hwy 22/45, Clintonville (across from Fleet Farm)

“Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance” - by Robert Netrefa, GreenStone Farm Credit Services

Register for the sessions you plan to attend: ____ January 7 ____ January 14 ____ January 21 (Farm Tour)

Name(s) ______________________________________________ Email______________________________________

Address _____________________________________City _________________ Zip _________ Phone _____________

Cost is $5.00/day or $10.00 total for all three = $ _____ (Call or send check to UW-Extension by Fri. Jan 3)Waupaca County UWEX Shawano County UWEX Outagamie County UWEX

Courthouse 811 Harding St Courthouse, Rm 101 3365 W Brewster StreetWaupaca, WI 54981 Shawano, WI 54166 Appleton, WI 54914

715 258-6230 715 526-6136 920-832-4763An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX,

and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Please call about special accommodations or food allergies at least 48 hours in advance.

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Outagamie.Extension.wisc.edu

Phone Number 920-832-5121Fax Number 920-832-4783

711 Wisconsin Relay

An AA/EEO employer, UW-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX and ADA requirements.

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE PAIDAppleton, WI 54911PERMIT NO. 92

County Administration

ThomasNelson CountyExecutive JeffNooyen CountyBoardChair JoyHagen CountyBoardViceChair

Extension Education Committee

DanRettler Chair KeithSuprise ViceChair DanielMelchert Secretary BJO’Connor-Schevers Member DebbieVanderHeiden Member

Extension Staff AmyBeck OfficeAssistant JoanBehle OfficeAssistant KaitlinBricco HorticultureAssistant MirandaDawson FoodWIseNutritionEducator* KarenDickrell HumanDevelopment&RelationshipsEducator ChristiGabrilska FoodWIseNutritionCoordinator* SarahGrotjan DairyandLivestockEducator VickiHandschke OfficeAssistant KevinJarek Crops,Soils,andHorticultureAgent MiaLjung CommunityDevelopmentEducator InaMontgomery ProgramAssistant HannahPhillips FoodWIseHealthyCommunitiesCoordinator* AliciaSchroeder-Haag4-HProgramCoordinator ChrisViau AreaExtensionDirector* MaryBethWohlrabe PositiveYouthDevelopmentEducator BeckyZoglman Education&CommunicationSpecialist *Serves Calumet, Outagamie, Waupaca and Winnebago Counties

December 2019 Ag Newsletter3365 W Brewster StAppleton, WI 54914