eCALS

Make plans to attend one of the presentations by the 2008 UW-Extension Dairy Road Show Team in January and learn more about gaining a competitive edge in the dairy business. The topics discussed will be of interest to both dairy producers and industry professionals. The program includes an update on dairy crossbreeding, milking performance in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Johne’s control program, and dairy nutrition using bio-energy byproduct feeds. (more…)

Grain farmers can get the latest information on hybrid and variety performance, hear an analysis of last year’s growing season and get updated recommendations for field crop production at Crop Production and Management Meetings to be held in January at eight locations in Wisconsin. The meetings are sponsored by the CALS Department of Agronomy and UW-Extension and will feature presentations by Joe Lauer, UW-Madison/Extension corn specialist; Dan Undersander, UW-Madison/Extension forage agronomist, and Shawn Conley, UW-Madison/Extension Soybean and Small Grains Specialist. (more…)

A continued building of the dairy herd and good milk per cow keeps milk production well above year ago levels. For the 23 reporting states, October milk cow numbers were 1.2% higher than a year ago and milk per cow was 2.8% higher resulting in 4.1% more milk production. Cow numbers have been higher than the month before each month beginning with May. (more…)

The 11th Annual University of Wisconsin Arlington Dairy Day will be held at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station, on Wednesday, Dec. 12. This event is an opportunity for dairy producers and service industry professionals to learn how UW research can help them increase dairy herd profitability, health and productivity. The event is sponsored by the UW-Extension Dairy Team and the UW-Madison Department of Dairy Science. The program showcases the latest dairy-related research findings from various departments in CALS. (more…)

USDA’s release of September milk production showed that milk production continues to run well above year ago levels. September milk production was 3.1% higher than last year. Since July, increases in milk production have been more than 3% compared to increases well below 2% from January through June. Dairy producers are responding to much higher milk prices by herd expansion and increased milk per cow. (more…)

Everyone is aware of the rising cost of energy, whether it’s for vehicles, farm machinery, home heating, or electricity. Homeowners, renters, and people who are contemplating building a new home can learn about ways to save energy in the home by attending a workshop on home energy conservation on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Prentice High School. (more…)

Milk production is picking up. USDA’s milk production report showed August production 3.4% higher than a year ago for the 23 reporting states. The July production increase was revised upwards to 4.0%. Prior to these two months increases were well below 2%. Milk cow numbers have increased from the previous month every month beginning with April and are now 0.6% higher than a year ago. Increases in milk per cow have also improved with August milk per cow 2.8% higher than a year ago. (more…)

USDA’s September 1 crop estimates were released on September 12. Corn yield estimates were bumped 3 bushels per acre from the August 1 report (from 152.8 to 155.8 bushels), raising the estimated 2007 national corn crop from 13.1 to 13.3 billion bushels. (more…)

Wisconsin suffered 30 farm-related fatalities in 2005, an increase from 25 in 2004, but still fewer than 37 that occurred in 2003. These fatalities were all related to farm work or hazards of the farm work site, and do not include recreational or home-related deaths that may have occurred on a farm. “According to the National Safety Council, agriculture is consistently one of the three most hazardous industries in the country,” said UW-Extension agricultural safety specialist Cheryl Skjolaas. (more…)

The UW Center for Cooperatives will hold its 10th Annual Farmer Cooperatives Conference on Nov. 5-6, 2007 in St. Paul, Minn. The topic of this year’s conference is “Valuing the Cooperative Business in the 21st Century.” The annual Farmer Cooperatives Conference provides a stimulating forum for those in the agricultural cooperative business community to exchange ideas with each other, and with policy, research and legal experts. Organized by the UW Center for Cooperatives and UW-Extension, the conference program is developed by a national planning committee that is knowledgeable and informed about current topics of interest to cooperative businesses. (more…)