winnebago county agriculture activities & advicedec 12, 2010 · page 7 dec 2015—jan 2016...

In this issue: Page

Winnebago County Agriculture Activities & Advice

Dec 2015/

Jan 2016

Calendar of

Events

2

Nutrient

Management

3

Dairy Cattle

Hoof Seminar

4

Wisconsin

School for

Beginning Mar-

ket Growers

5

2016 Grass-

Works Grazing

Conference

6

Pesticide

Training

7

2016 Sesqui-

centennial and

Century Farm

& Home Pro-

grams Applica-

tions

8

4-H Fundraiser 9

Grain

Management

10-12

News NRCS 13-14

What’s New

Webpages?

15

Staff Directory 16

Greetings,

The hunting season is well underway, the first winter storm

warnings are out, and a majority of the fall harvest is

complete. From the discussions I’ve had over the last few

weeks, the harvest appears to be above normal and the

quality of the grain coming in is also above average. The

extended fall is also an opportunity to complete some of the

projects that need to be addressed before the snow and cold

arrive.

I also want to make sure to mention a new youth fundraising

program for the 4-H program. Mills Fleet Farm has created a

program to allow the 4-H program to sell purchase cards

which can be used to make purchases for all of the items used

on the farm. If you have some large projects or even just a

need for a few supplies, this program is an excellent way to

support positive youth development in Winnebago County.

You can also use the Culvers program for those fun family

outings. Please read the article inside for the details.

As the end of the year arrives, there is also time to think about

your farm succession and farmstead building plans. If you are

considering a plan for your farm transfer or buildings updates,

there are several resources available for you to complete

those plans or explore building redesign or new construction

planning. Developing a plan is the first step in successful

project or farm transfer to the next operator or generation.

Finally, I want to thank all of the farmers, youth, volunteers,

and colleagues that have helped make my first year as

Agricultural Agent in Winnebago County so rewarding. I also

want to express my gratitude for everyone who has assisted

with the educational programs, youth events, and field day this

year. I am looking forward to the opportunities in the year

ahead. Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you at

some of the events in the year ahead.

Best Regards,

Darrell

Dec 2015—Jan 2016 www.winnebago.uwex.edu


DEC

1 & 2 10am to 2:30pm OR

5pm to 9pm

Introduction to Nutrient Management, JPCC

8 10am to 2:30pm OR

5pm to 9pm

Computer help with SNAP+ 2.0 Nutrient

Software Training , JPCC

9 10am to 2:30pm OR

5pm to 9pm

Advanced Nutrient Management & Snap+

Refresher, JPCC

9 10am Soil, Water and Nutrient Management, Cecil

JAN

12 1pm Cow College, FVTC, Clintonville

12-14 8am Wisconsin Crop Management Conference,

Madison

14-16 2016 Grassworks Grazing Conference, WI Dells

19 10am Cow College Tour, Weyauwega

19-21 10am Wisconsin Corn Conferences, Locations TBA

25-27 Midwest Forage Association, WI Dells

FEB

2 9am to 3pm Pesticide Applicator Training, JPCC

4-5 8am Corn and Soy Expo, Madison

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Do you want to receive the most current University of Wisconsin

research information by e-mail? The Winnebago County agriculture list

receives a weekly update during summer on crop conditions, pests to

watch out for, and events. If you would like to be included on this list,

please send an e-mail to [email protected].



NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT CLASSES

Who Should Attend?

Anyone interested in becoming certified to write a farm

nutrient management plan can take this class. Or anyone

who is interested in gaining a better understanding and

becoming more knowledgeable about a nutrient management plan your

consultant or agronomist writes for your farm. A nutrient management plan is

a tool to balance nutrient levels on your farm.

* Advanced classes are aimed toward farmers who have been writing their own

plans and would like a refresher, but anyone is welcome to participate.

Introduction to Nutrient Management:

December 1 & 2, 2015

10 am to 2:30 pm OR 5 pm to 9 pm

J.P. Coughlin Center, 625 E County Rd Y, Oshkosh, WI

SNAP + 2.0 Nutrient Software Training:

December 8, 2015



Advanced Nutrient Management & SNAP+ Refresher:

December 9, 2015



To register:

Please contact Darrell McCauley at the Winnebago County

UWEX at 920-232-1970 or [email protected]

OR:

Sheila Smith at Winnebago County LWCD at

920-232-1950 or [email protected]



DAIRY CATTLE HOOF CARE SEMINAR

Foot health and lameness are major issues facing today’s dairy

producers. To help aid with these issues, UW-Extension will be

hosting a Dairy Cattle Hoof Care Seminar on Wednesday, December

9, at Liberty Hall in Kimberly, WI. Presenters include Roger

Olson, Zinpro Midwest Dairy Specialist, on “Footbaths: a problem

solution or a solution to your problem.” Dorte Dopfer, PhD, will

discuss “Digital dermatitis in dairy cattle.” Zinpro’s Roger Olson and

Midwestern Hoof Care’s Aaron LaVoy, will cover “Hoof trimming 101

and conduct a blocking/wrapping demonstration.” UW-Extension’s

Sarah Mills-Lloyd, DVM, and Eric Ronk will focus on “Hoof trimming

records.” The dairy cattle hoof care seminar is sponsored by UW-

Extension with financial and “in-kind” support from Appleton Steel

Hoof Trimming, Midwestern Hoof Care, UW-Madison School of

Veterinary Medicine, and Zinpro.

The fee for the program is $35 per person which includes

materials and lunch. Registration is due December 2 to the

UW-Extension Calumet County Office.

The mission of UW-Extension is to teach, learn and serve,

connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging

with them in transforming lives and communities in the areas of

Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Youth Development,

Family Living and Community, Natural Resource and Economic

Development.

For more information regarding this program and/or to register,

please contact Eric Ronk,

UW-Extension Calumet County, at

920-849-1450 x2 or

[email protected].



WISCONSIN SCHOOL FOR BEGINNING MARKET GROWERS

WHEN: January 8, 9 and 10, 2016

TIMES: 9–4:30 Friday; 8–4:30 Saturday; 8–2 Sunday

LOCATION: University of Wisconsin-Madison

COST: $325 or $295 “paperless” option

**Register and pay online: www.cias.wisc.edu/wisconsin-school-

for-beginning-market-growers/

**Preregistration is required; walk-ins cannot be accommodated

This intensive, three-day course gives you a realistic picture of what it

takes to run a successful, small-scale produce operation—including

capital, management, labor and other resources. Topics include soil

fertility, crop production (from seed starting to harvest), pest

management, cover crops, equipment and labor needs at different

scales of operation, and marketing and economics.

Is this workshop right for you?

The course attracts a variety of people. Some want to start small

market gardens while others see this as a part-time job on a few acres.

Other participants aspire to grow 10 or more acres of vegetables for

retail and wholesale markets. The grower instructors, whose farms

range in scale and marketing strategy, address the diverse interests

and needs of participants. To learn more

about whether this class is a good fit with

your experience and goals, contact John

Hendrickson at the Center for Integrated

Agricultural Systems, UW-Madison,

(608) 265-3704 or [email protected].


2016 GRASSWORKS GRAZING CONFERENCE




2016 PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

J.P. Coughlin Center, 625 E. County Rd. Y, Oshkosh

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $30.00

All private applicators have the option to certify/recertify through a

self-study option. A minimum score of 70% is required on all self-

study exams. A minimum score of 50% is required if you elect to

attend the training session. PAT certification is required for people

who use Restricted Use Pesticides.

All producers are charged $30.00 for the training materials and the

state certification. An additional $8.00 charge will be to cover the

cost of a noon meal to be catered on that day. You can choose to

bring your own lunch and not pay the $8.00 lunch fee.

Questions: please call the UW Extension Office at 920-232-1970

To obtain a registration form please contact the UW Extension

Office or visit the website at http://winnebago.uwex.edu/

To obtain a registration form please contact the UW Extension

Office or visit the website at http://winnebago.uwex.edu/ .

**A Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator certifications is valid for 5

years.

If you already hold a valid private applicator license you do not

need to retake the training until your license expires.**


Dec 2015–Jan 2016 www.winnebago.uwex.edu

2016 SESQUICENTENNIAL AND CENTURY FARM & HOME

PROGRAMS APPLICATIONS

Applications for the

2016 Sesquicentennial and Century Farm & Home Programs award

are now available. This award is given to families who have

dedicated their lives to Wisconsin Farming for the past 100 to 150

years.

To qualify for the award, families must provide proof of continuous

family ownership in Wisconsin for the past 100 or 150 years.

Property owners that qualify will be honored at a special Century and

Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award Program on Tuesday,

August 9th, 2016.

Honorees will receive complimentary Fair admission tickets for the

2016 State Fair, an invitation to the awards breakfast, a

commemorative photo, a certificate and an outdoor display sign.

Applications for the 2016 Sesquicentennial and Century Farm &

Home Programs are available now and need to be turned in by

March 1st, 2016.

To request a copy of either application, please contact Jill Abanese,

Competitive Exhibits Coordinator at 414-777-0580, or write to:

Century or Sesquicentennial Farm & Home Program, 640 S.

84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214.


Dec 2015—Jan 2016

4-H FUNDRAISER!

Support 4-H and Positive Youth Development in a

big way!

Are you purchasing routine farm supplies or planning a major project

purchase? The 4-H Leaders Association is now selling scrip cards

(purchase cards) to support youth education programming in Winnebago

County. With a small amount of pre-planning, your purchase for a major

project or the routine purchases of supplies for your farm will increase

funding available for youth opportunities and programs. Even better, the

program will not add to your purchase as Mills Fleet Farm is making a

donation as part of the card program.

Large denomination cards can be ordered for a large project, which you can

obtain by contacting the office ahead of your purchase. For routine

purchases there are $25 Mills Fleet Farm cards in stock and ready for

immediate use. Cards can be used for purchases in any of the Mills Fleet

Farm stores, gas stations, convenience stores, or auto centers, and also for

on-line purchases at www.fleetfarm.com. The cards have no expiration

date.

For a treat while out on a Sunday afternoon drive or late night meals after

field work, we also have Culver cards available for purchase. There is no

additional fees for these cards, the monetary value of the card is all you pay!

Contact the UW-Extension office at 920-232-1971 for more information.

A limited number of cards will also be available for purchase at the UW-

Extension office during normal business hours. Please check with the office

for availability.



GRAIN MANAGEMENT VITAL NOW

After enjoying a generally nice harvest season this year, now is the time

for upper Midwestern producers to focus on managing the grain in

storage, North Dakota State University's grain handling and storage

expert says.

NDSU Extension Service agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang

recommends producers check the moisture content of the grain at a

few locations in the bin because this will determine the management

steps they need to take to preserve the stored grain.

Producers should follow the moisture meter manufacturer's

recommendations to obtain an accurate reading. They can verify the

meter's reading by warming the grain sample to room temperature in a

sealed plastic bag or other sealed container before measuring the

moisture content.

Here are other grain management suggestions from Hellevang:

Check the grain temperature. Warm grain creates conditions

conducive for insect infestations. Reducing the grain temperature

reduces insect activity; insects in stored grain become dormant

below about 50 F. In addition, the allowable storage time, which is

related to mold growth, is approximately doubled for each 10

degrees the grain is cooled. For example, cereal grains such as

corn at 16 percent moisture content can be stored about 70 days if

maintained at 70 F and about 230 days at 50 F. Allowable storage

time based on germination is approximately one-half as long.

Cool stored grain to near the average outdoor temperature during

the fall using aeration. Grain temperature should be cooled to within

about 20 degrees of the coldest average monthly temperature or

below 40 F for winter storage. In North Dakota, with an average

January temperature of 7 F, that would be about 20 to 30 F. For

Kansas, with an average January temperature of 29 F, the goal is to

cool the grain to below 40 F.

Continued on next page...



To estimate the cooling time of 56 pounds-per-bushel

grain, divide 15 by the airflow rate. For example, about

75 hours of fan time is required to cool the grain using an

airflow rate of 0.2 cubic feet per minute per bushel

(cfm/bu).

Cooling times of other grain are the ratio of 56 pounds and the grain

weight.

For example, barley with a weight of 48 pounds per bushel will cool

more quickly than corn at 56 pounds per bushel (48 divided by 56

equals 0.86).

Check stored grain biweekly until it has been cooled to the winter

storage temperature. Check and record the grain's temperature and

condition at several locations. Temperature history can be used to

detect grain warming, which may indicate storage problems. Look

for indications of problems, such as condensation on the roof or

crusting of the grain surface. Probe to examine grain below the

surface.

Temperature cables are an excellent tool to measure the grain

temperature, but they only measure the temperature of the grain

next to the sensor. Grain is a very good insulator, so warm or hot

grain just a few feet from the sensor may not be detected.

Because insects are dormant at colder temperatures, warm grain

samples to room temperature and place the grain on a white cloth

to inspect for insect infestations. Grain fumigants will not control an

insect infestation adequately if some of the grain is cold. The

fumigant does not volatize in cool grain adequately, and insects in

cool grain near the edge of a "hot spot" may have limited metabolic

activity, resulting in poor control. However, cooling the grain can

control most storage problems.

Continued on next page…

Open or unlatch the grain bin's fill or access cover during fan operation to serve as a pressure relief valve. Bin vents may become blocked by frost or ice if fans run when the outdoor air temperature is near or below freezing. The resulting air pressure may damage the bin roof. Cover the aeration fan when it is not operating to prevent pests and moisture in the form of snow, fog and rain from entering the bin.

Hellevang says corn moisture content may be an issue this year. Corn at moisture contents up to 20 percent was harvested and placed in bins with natural-air drying fans sized to provide an airflow rate of at least 1 cfm/bu. Even though the outdoor temperature and relative humidity were conducive for drying during October, the drying zone may not have moved through all the grain.

The estimated drying time for corn with a moisture content up to 20 percent is 30 to 40 days with an average air temperature of about 50 F, about 50 to 60 days at 40 F and at least 70 days when the air temperature is near 30 F.

The moisture-holding capacity of the air at temperatures below 35 to 40 F is small, so drying becomes inefficient using natural-air/low-temperature (NA/LT) drying. Drying time also is related to the airflow rate, so at an airflow rate of 0.75 cfm/bu drying time is about 53 days rather than the 40 days at 1 cfm/bu (40 divided by 0.75).

Warming the air by about 5 degrees will allow producers to continue drying corn with the typically higher air humidity level that occurs in November if the outdoor air temperature is averaging at least 35 to 40 F, Hellevang says. Adding more heat causes grain in the bottom of the bin to dry to a lower-than-desired moisture content.

Producers should use a bin-stirring device or do batch-in-bin drying with only a few feet of grain in the bin if the air is heated more than 5 to 10 degrees. NA/LT drying can be completed in the spring starting when outdoor temperatures again average about 40 F.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Nov. 5, 2015

Source: Ken Hellevang, [email protected]

Editor: Ellen Crawford, [email protected]





NEWS FROM NRCS

NRCS Offers Cost-Sharing For Soil Health Practices By Merrie Schamberger

Traditional tillage practices, which were once considered necessary in order

to prepare a proper seed bed for planting, come at a high price with

increasing diesel prices and labor costs. However, the bigger, long-term

cost may be the health and function of the soil itself – resulting in lower

yields, higher input costs, and reduced drought resiliency for Wisconsin

farms.

Traditional tillage is very destructive to the soil structure and to the soil

ecosystem. In healthy soil you have 50 percent air and water – which is

made possible by the pore space in the soil – and 50 percent mineral and

organic matter. But tillage collapses and destroys that structure, making the

soil vulnerable to erosion, surface crusting and compaction.

Because tillage destroys organic matter and soil structure, tillage actually

reduces the soil’s infiltration capacity. Besides infiltration capacity, soil

structure allows for greater crop rooting depths.

Fortunately, more and more producers in Wisconsin are farming with

reduced tillage systems which build soil health. Producers are using

management systems that include conservation practices, like no-till or

strip till, diverse crop rotations, planting cover crops and following

nutrient and pest management plans. These systems follow the four

main soil health principles: disturb less soil, increase plant diversity, grow

living roots throughout the year and keep the soil covered as much as

possible.

The benefits of improved soil health extend far beyond the farm. Producers

who improve the health of the soil also increase its water-holding capacity

and infiltration rate, which reduces runoff that can cause flooding. Improved

infiltration keeps nutrients and sediment from being carried off into nearby

lakes, rivers, and streams.

Producers interested in learning more about the basics and benefits of soil

health, or in receiving technical and financial assistance to implement a soil

health management system, should contact Merrie Schamberger, NRCS

District Conservationist, in Winnebago County at (920) 424-0329 ex. 3.



Water Quality Concerns?

By Merrie Schamberger

We are all impacted by decreased water quality. Blue-green algal

blooms in summer and cloudy water are just some of the conditions we

deplore!

You can do something about it! If you are a homeowner or farmer there

are conservation practices you can install to help improve water quality.

You may even be eligible for federal funding to offset the cost.

Homeowners:

Install buffers along streams or lakes plant native vegetation instead

of grass.

Farmers:

Plant buffer strips along ditches, streams, ponds.

Plant field borders to slow runoff.

Plant cover crops to improve soil quality, increase infiltration, and

decrease erosion.

Use no-till to reduce disturbance of the soil surface.

If you are interested in finding out how NRCS can help to offset the cost

of these practices, call Merrie Schamberger at (920) 424-0329

extension 3.

Applications for funding are accepted year-round

and are ranked several times a year.



WHAT’S NEW ON UWEX WEB PAGES?

Winnebago County UWEX Homepage: http://winnebago.uwex.edu/

General Agriculture:

Winnebago Co. Farmland Preservation:

http://fyi.uwex.edu/winncofarming/

UW-Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources:

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/

UWEX Farming FYI Sites: http://fyi.uwex.edu/topic/farming/

UW Publications: http://learningstore.uwex.edu/

Dairy and Livestock:

Dairy Cattle Nutrition:

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/dairynutrition/

Milk Quality: http://milkquality.wisc.edu/

Livestock: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/

Center for Dairy Profitability: http://cdp.wisc.edu/

Manure Management: http://fyi.uwex.edu/wimanuremgt/

Youth Livestock:

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/youthlivestock/index.cfm

Crops and Soils:

Soybeans and Small Grains: http://soybean.uwex.edu/

Corn Agronomy: http://corn.agronomy.wisc.edu

Forage: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/crops/teamforage/

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/

Crop Plant Pathology: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/croppathology/

Horticulture: http://hort.uwex.edu/

UW PlantDOC for plant health diagnoses observations and comments:

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/plantdoc/



Winnebago County UW-Extension 625 E County Rd Y

Suite 600 Oshkosh, WI 54901-8131

Agriculture/Horticulture 920-232-1970 Community Development 920-232-1972 Family Living 920-232-1973 4-H Youth Development 920-232-1974 Natural Resource Educator 920-232-1972

County Extension Staff

Darrell McCauley Agriculture Agent

Kimberly Miller

Horticulture Educator

Catherine Neiswender Community Development Educator

Chad Cook

Natural Resource Educator

Chris Kniep Dept Head/Family Living Educator

Amanda Dornfeld

Family Living Educator

Kayla Oberstadt 4-H Youth Development Educator

Sarah Thompson

4-H Youth and Science Educator

Kris Soper Family Nutrition Educator

Evan Groth

Family Nutrition Educator

Wendy Beyer Nutrition Director

Extension Support Staff

Michelle Peplow Ashley Rolph

Amy Timm

Extension Education

Committee

Tom Widener Nancy Barker Tom Snider Ron Hardy

An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides

equal opportunities in employment and programming, including title IX requirements.

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/winnebago/

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/winnebago/

winnebago county agriculture activities & advicedec 12, 2010 · page 7 dec 2015—jan 2016...

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