Priority Area: Stewarding land and water resources
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Advancing nutrient recovery research to protect Wisconsin’s water resources
Phosphorus runoff from manure, fertilizers, and agricultural fields is a major contributor to water quality challenges across Wisconsin, leading to harmful algal blooms and degradation of lakes and streams. Researchers…
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Monitoring nitrate movement to protect Wisconsin groundwater
Nitrate contamination of groundwater remains a significant challenge in many agricultural regions of Wisconsin. Because nitrate is highly mobile in soil, it can move below crop root zones and into…
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Advancing sustainable manure composting for Wisconsin dairy farms
Manure management is a critical component of dairy farming, with direct impacts on soil health, water quality, nutrient stewardship, and farm profitability. While composting can reduce odors, stabilize nutrients, decrease…
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Expanding water quality and soil health monitoring for sustainable dairy grazing systems
Healthy soils and clean water are essential to the long-term success of Wisconsin’s dairy industry, yet more data are needed to understand how different farming practices affect nutrient losses, soil…
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Advanced soil mapping technology for smarter nutrient management on Wisconsin dairy farms
Wisconsin dairy farmers face growing challenges related to nutrient management, soil compaction, water quality protection, and efficient use of manure and fertilizer. Traditional soil testing methods can be costly, labor-intensive,…
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Advanced manure application equipment for sustainable dairy research
The Arlington Agricultural Research Station has historically relied on older manure application equipment that limited researchers’ ability to precisely apply manure, accurately track application rates, and minimize soil disturbance. These…
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Short-stature corn as a sustainable alternative for silage production: agronomic efficiency and economic feasibility
This research examines whether short-stature corn can serve as a strong replacement for traditional brown midrib (bm3) corn in dairy silage production, especially as bm3 hybrids are expected to be…
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Acquisition of a variable-speed manure spreader for Mann Valley Farm
This project introduces precision technology to manure management at the UW–River Falls Mann Valley Farm through a variable-speed manure spreader. The system allows operators to accurately control application rates, ensuring…
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Metals matter: developing a metal analysis lab for the Dairy Innovation Hub
This project expands research capabilities at UW–River Falls by creating a new metal analysis laboratory. The lab will provide advanced technology to detect and measure trace metals in soil, water,…
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Transforming nitrite and nitrate analysis through new analytical enhancement
This project expands analytical capabilities at UW–River Falls by introducing advanced technology for measuring key nutrients such as nitrate and nitrite—important indicators of soil health, water quality, and dairy system…