Priority Area: Stewarding land and water resources
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Precision manure nutrient application using a real-time near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) nutrient sensing technology
Manure is a vital resource in dairy systems, as it contains organic matter and essential nutrients that can be returned to crop production systems. However from a nutrient management perspective,…
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Real-time PCR based quantification of alfalfa root rot pathogen
Root rot of Alfalfa caused by Aphanomyces euteiches, an Oomycete pathogen, poses significant threat to alfalfa production in Wisconsin and many parts of the world. The pathogen infects both young…
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Ecological intensification for productivity, profitability, soil health, and carbon sequestration in the dairy-forage and cash-grain agroecosystems of the North Central US
Several farming practices (e.g., cover crops, no-till) are promoted to improve soil health, sequester carbon (SOC), and enhance crop yields and economic returns. However, the efficacy of such practices is…
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Bioconversion of whey permeate to 2,3-butanediol at bioreactor scale
Bioconversion of whey permeate (WP) to value-added compounds and materials is a key prerequisite to eliminating the burden of this waste stream on the dairy industry, and in turn, safeguarding…
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Assessing the impact of states and national climate policies and food behavioral changes on the US dairy industry
Wisconsin is the second-largest dairy producer in the US, but the industry is facing challenges, including climate change and changes in dietary patterns. US climate policies, including carbon pricing, are…
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Assessing soil health and forage quality in dairy agricultural systems using multispectral and thermal sensors onboard of an unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications have become more prevalent in recent years. Their use ranges from vegetation monitoring, including reflectivity and surface temperature, to fertilizer, seeding and herbicide applications, to…
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Development of whey protein-lignin based film/coating materials for dairy food packaging applications
Whey, a primary by-product and environmental pollutant from the dairy industry, stands out as a promising raw material for creating biodegradable films designed for food packaging applications. However, the considerable…
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Filling existing gaps in the monitoring of soil greenhouse gas emissions and environmental health at Mann Valley Farm
Dairy agriculture systems are often large sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to Earth’s atmosphere with many opportunities to economically and sustainably reduce these emissions that are usually unrealized. However,…
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Growing a new UW collaboration to continuously measure groundwater nitrate in western Wisconsin farm wells using a novel sensor technology
Nitrate contamination of groundwater in Wisconsin affects the health of rural residents and the bottom-line of farming operations. This proposal seeks funding to initiate a collaboration between UWRF and UW–Madison…
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Establishment of long term biochar research plots for evaluation of applications to dairy rotations
Biochar has been shown to be a potential method to sequester carbon in the soil to improve sustainability and climate smart practices. However, there is a knowledge gap in the…