Priority Area: Stewarding land and water resources
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Evaluating nitrogen availability from solid-liquid-separated and composted manure: phase two
This study builds on previous Dairy Innovation Hub-supported research that revealed current nutrient management guidelines may significantly underestimate how much nitrogen is available to crops from processed manure. The first…
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Improving the growth of alfalfa with plasma activated water: a potential eco-friendly pesticide
Alfalfa is a crucial crop for Wisconsin’s dairy farms, but insect pests like the alfalfa weevil can cause serious damage, leading to lower yields and higher feed costs. To help…
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Impact of biochar on composting dairy manure and soil health: a comparative study
Healthy soil is essential for productive farming, but many fields face challenges like nutrient loss, poor structure, and declining microbial activity. This project explores how combining biochar, a carbon-rich material…
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Increasing nutritional density of alfalfa through the application of locally-sourced effective microorganisms
This project investigates whether adding locally-sourced effective microorganisms (LEM) to alfalfa can enhance its nutritional value as dairy feed. Previous studies have shown that LEMs can increase essential nutrients in…
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Lab to land: testing the efficacy of plant essential oils for the management of aphanomyces root rot of alfalfa in the field
Alfalfa is a vital crop for Wisconsin’s dairy farms, providing high-quality feed for cows in the form of hay and silage. However, a soilborne disease called Aphanomyces root rot poses…
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Understanding groundwater contamination and mitigation strategies in Wisconsin agriculture
Groundwater contamination is a serious issue in Wisconsin, affecting both private wells and larger aquifers that supply drinking water to the majority of residents. Some contaminants occur naturally, while others…
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Obtaining a fraction collector for water sampling from soil leachate and flow-through reactors.
Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water in Wisconsin, making it essential to understand how contaminants, such as agrichemicals, phosphates, and nitrates, travel through soil and impact water quality.…
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Vertical tillage tool for Mann Valley Farm, research and teaching
Mann Valley Farm (MVF) currently relies on conventional tillage to prepare fields for planting, but this method can lead to soil erosion, higher fuel and labor costs, and long-term damage…
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Building water monitoring infrastructure at Mann Valley Farm
Mann Valley Farm is taking an important step toward protecting water quality by installing specialized monitoring equipment to study runoff and groundwater contamination. This project is expected to establish 12…
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Instrumentation updates for monitoring water quality and soil health from basins 5, 10, and 11 at Pioneer Farm.
This project will enable equipment upgrades for monitoring water quality and soil health in hydrologic basins 5, 10, and 11. These upgrades will support paired basin research focused on determining…
