Zhu-Barker is an assistant professor of soil science at UW–Madison. Her research aims to improve the performance of agroecosystems by integrating biogeochemical, ecological, environmental, agronomic, economic, and social knowledge into the food, energy, and water aspects of management decisions. Zhu-Barker’s position is funded by the Dairy Innovation Hub.
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 looks at how changing when and how manure is applied to fields could reduce that risk.
In Wisconsin, farmers often apply manure in the fall, but this timing doesn’t always benefit the growing crop and can lead to nitrogen loss through leaching, especially during winter and spring rains. This research will explore whether applying manure in the spring, or planting cover crops in the fall, can help keep nitrogen in the soil where crops can use it, instead of letting it wash away into water supplies. To do this, the research team will monitor how nitrogen moves through the soil under different farming practices using advanced tools like soil sensors and lab testing. Their goal is to better understand how manure nutrients behave in the soil and how much is actually available for crops to use.