3rd annual organic field day August 26 at Arlington
Both crop and livestock research will be on the program at the third annual University of Wisconsin-Madison Organic Field Day on August 26 at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station. The event will run from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.This is the first year the event has included sessions on livestock production, says Erin Silva, a research scientist in the UW-Madison’s agronomy department who coordinates the organic field day.
“We are excited to be able to add the presentations on livestock research to broaden our discussion of the entire organic production system,” says Silva. “There are relevant, applicable findings to share from both new and continuing research projects.”
The field day will highlight work being done on the Arlington station’s roughly 70 acres of certified organic land as well as on private farms and other locations throughout the state.
The livestock sessions will focus on animal health and grazing. Veterinary specialist Pam Ruegg will discuss her study on organic dairy herd health. Jim Munsch, an organic beef farmer from southwest Wisconsin, will talk about pasture research being done on his farm in partnership with UW-Madison animal scientists. Rhonda Glidersleeve, UW-Extension grazing specialist, will speak on estimating pasture dry matter intake. Gary Oates, UW-Madison agronomy researcher, will talk about managed intensive grazing.
Field tours will leave from the Public Events Building beginning at 10 a.m. Tour presentations will include:
• No-till soybean and corn production using rolled/crimped rye and vetch
• The mineral balance fertility approach for controlling insect feeding in corn, soybeans and alfalfa
• No-till corn production using rolled/crimped hairy vetch
• Seed corn maggot management
• The latest economic analysis of the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial
• A sweet corn variety trial
• Fertility management for organic sweet corn, green beans and potatoes.
Over the lunch hour, participants will have time to view poster summaries of various research projects and take a look at various pieces of field equipment. Lunch will be available for $10.
If you plan to attend, please register in advance by contacting Erin Silva at 608-890-1503 or emsilva@wisc.edu. While registration is not required, it’s appreciated.
The Arlington Agricultural Research Station is about five miles south of Arlington and 15 miles north of Madison on U.S. Highway 51 in Columbia County. Exit Interstate 90-94 at Wis. Highway 60 or exit U.S. Highway 51 at Badger Road.