Priority Area: Stewarding land and water resources
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On-farm evaluation of nutrient export from alfalfa production – a survey of Wisconsin production fields
Alfalfa is an essential crop for Wisconsin’s dairy farms, providing a high‑quality feed source that supports both herd health and farm profitability. To keep alfalfa productive and healthy year after…
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Advancing conservation in dairy cropping systems through farmer-led research
Wisconsin dairy farmers face growing pressures—from tight profit margins to unpredictable weather and environmental risks—that make it difficult to adopt new conservation practices. This project uses a participatory research model…
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Upgrades and repairs to the Kemper C2200 mounted forage harvester for research plots
This project supports repairs and upgrades to a specialized piece of equipment, a Kemper C2200 forage harvester, which is used for research on small crop plots. The harvester helps collect…
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Reducing nitrate leaching from dairy manure in corn silage systems
One of the biggest concerns in dairy farming is nitrogen pollution, which can harm both the environment and public health, especially when nitrogen from manure seeps into groundwater. This project…
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Evaluating novel dietary strategies to enhance nitrogen utilization efficiency in dairy cows
Microbial true protein (MTP), produced in a cow’s rumen, is a key protein source, but only about 80% is digestible in the small intestine. By increasing MTP digestibility, researchers hope…
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Engineering beyond the brown midrib phenotype: Using tissue- and cell-type specific engineering to improve the agronomic traits of digestible brown midrib maize mutants
Brown midrib (bm) maize mutants are known for their improved forage digestibility, but they often suffer from poor plant growth, limiting their use on farms. This project aims to genetically…
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A collaborative initiative for continuous groundwater nitrate monitoring in Western Wisconsin leveraging legacy well data and novel sensing technologies
Nitrate contamination in groundwater poses risks to both human and animal health, especially in rural communities. This project will pilot a collaboration between UW–Madison and UW–River Falls to develop a…
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Enhancing manure management and agricultural research capacity through manure tanker equipment acquisition
Manure plays an important role in crop production by returning nutrients to the soil—but managing it in a way that protects water, air, and soil health is a growing challenge…
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Enhancing manure management and agricultural research capacity through investment in manure mesocosms
Manure is a valuable resource for crops and soil health, but if not managed carefully, it can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and public health concerns. At UW-Platteville,…
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Expanded instrumentation for monitoring permanent pasture water quality and soil health
To better understand how different farming practices affect soil and water quality, UW-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm is installing new monitoring equipment in two pasture areas. The equipment will collect detailed data…
