September 2013

Extension Views Newsletter

In this issue Page

CWFC Fall Field Day 2

Alkali-treated corn stover 3

for ruminants—Research Update

Calculating the value of 4

corn silage

Pricing Alternative Forage 4

Crops

World Beef Expo / Dairy Expo 5

Weed of the Month 5

Composting Workshop 6

2013 Cow/Calf Meetings 6

Build a Rain Barrel Workshop 7

National Dairy FARM 7

Evaluator Training

Soybean Silage 8

Sorghums, Sudangrasses, and 8-9

Sorghum Sudangrass Hybrids

Organic Seminar 10

Funding Available for 10

Conservation Practices

Learning for Life 11

North Central WI Small Farms 11

Conference

Online Resources for WI Farms 12

Richard Halopka,

Crops & Soils Agent

richard.halopka@ces.uwex.edu

EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE LUNCHEON

*Please Note change in location

Saturday, September 21, 2013 Rumours Supper Club—Loyal 144 N Main Street, Loyal, WI 54446

1:00—3:00 PM

Honoring Clark County

Outstanding Young Farmers and

Century Farms

This event is open to anyone interested in attending. If you would

like to attend, the cost is $10.00 per person and it covers the meal.

Please call the Clark County UW-Extension Office at 715-743-5121

by September 13th to make your reservation.

This event is made possible by

support from United FCS and

Northwestern Bank

Extension Views Newsletter Page 2

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Malm’s Rolling Acres, Loyal, WI / 10:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m.

FEATURES: Company Reps Available In Field

Field Demonstrations

Free Lunch—with company’s Introductions

NIR Machine from John Deere

Ride and Drive Event

Rain or Shine Event

Corn Burndown from 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

AGENDA: 10:00 a.m. Field Demonstrations

Corn Silage Harvesting

Hauling/Storing Bagged Corn Silage

11:45 a.m. Lunch

12:00 p.m. Company Reps Presentation

1:15 p.m. Field Demonstrations

Harvesting, Bagging

Tillage

Bring in 3 stalks of corn to check whole plant moisture

NIR from 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

*Please RSVP by September 16 / 715-743-5121*

Seed Plot Participants and Event Sponsors

DeKalb, Legacy, Mycogen, NK, Pioneer, PEG, Master Choice

DIRECTIONS:

From Loyal: County Highway K north to Maple Center Road, west on Maple Center Road 1.7 miles—North on 153 Rd. to field

From Highway 29: County Road P south will become County Road K, west on Maple Center Road 1.7 miles—North on 153 Rd. to

field

Watch For Field Signs

Fall Field Day & Corn Silage Burndown hosted by: Thanks to our Collaborators:

Extension Views Newsletter Page 3

High grain prices and shortages of alfalfa due to winter kill are challenging many Midwestern beef and dairy producers to look for alternative sources of feed. Alkali treated corn stover can be an alternative to stretch corn and forage inventories. There are several alkali treatment processes that will improve the digestibility of corn stover. Treatment processes with ammonia, sodium hydroxide (lye), calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime) could be applied on most farms that have access to a tub grinder, adequate water and bunker or bag silos. Alkali treatments break cross-linkages in the fiber matrix of corn stover, which in turn makes the fiber more accessible to rumen bacteria. The chemical reaction takes 5-7 days for sodium hydroxide or the lime treatments and a month to six weeks for anhydrous ammonia treatment of forages. Corn stover must be treated and stored to allow the chem-ical reaction to occur before the material is fed. Fiber digestibility is typically improved by about 50% when corn stover is treated with alkali. In beef feedlot diets, alkali-treated stover has been used with modified corn distillers grains to make a ‘corn replacement feed’. Iowa State researchers (Russell et al. 2011) reported that a 2:1 ratio of modified corn distillers grains and calcium oxide treated corn stover could replace half the corn grain in feedlot diets without affecting average daily gain of steers. They reported that in a 183 day trial each steer fed the corn replacement feed diet ate 30 bushels less corn grain than steers fed a 70% corn grain diet. When corn was priced at $4 per bushel, the total cost per 100lb of gain was $5.77 less for the steers on the diet containing treated stover. When corn grain was valued at $6 per bushel, the total cost advantage for the steers on the stover diets rose to $11.24 per 100 lb of gain. University of Nebraska researchers (Shreck et al., 2012) also found that a 2:1 ratio of corn distillers grains and calcium oxide treated stover could replace 10% units of corn without af-fecting average daily gain, feed to gain ratio, carcass weight or percentage of carcasses grading choice. Purdue researchers (Donkin et al., 2012) reported that alkali treated corn stover could potentially replace up to

2/3 of the corn silage in diets for dairy cows in mid to late lactation. In this study however, intake declined when treated stover replaced corn silage and the study was only 21 days, so long term implications of the reduction in feed intake could not be assessed. Feed intake and milk production declined linearly when Wisconsin researchers (Cook et al., 2013) replaced corn grain with calcium oxide treated stover. In this study, 63 early-lactation dairy cows were fed diets containing 0, 4%, 8% or 12% treated stover for six weeks. To accommodate the treated stover the amount of corn grain was reduced from 19% of ration DM to 15%, 11% and 7% as the amount of stover increased. Digestibility of the diets were similar which indicates that the alkali treatment improved the quality of the stover, but the gut fill effects of the added fiber limited the ability of cows to consume enough TMR to sustain milk yield. For dairy cattle, alkali treated stover may be a viable substitute for a portion of the corn silage in rations of lower producing cows. It appears however that alkali treat-ed stover may not work well in diets for high producing cows because added gut fill from adding more fiber will limit feed intake. The lime treatments are the most popular approaches because of cost and safety. Chemical costs for treating corn stover with calcium oxide are approximately $20- 30 per ton of treated forage. The lime treatments are safer to work with than sodium hydroxide or ammonia, but still must be handled carefully. Calcium oxide is not as caustic as sodium hydroxide or ammonia, but can still cause severe burns and irritation if the dust is inhaled or comes in contact with exposed moist skin. Safety goggles must be used and contact lenses must not be worn when working with calcium oxide. Mixing calcium oxide with water eliminates the dust but calcium oxide reacts violent-ly with water. Calcium oxide must be added slowly to a large volume of water in an open container to avoid boiling or possible rupture of containers. Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) is more expensive than calcium oxide, but the dust is less irritating and hydrated lime does not react violently with water.

Alkali—treated corn stover for ruminants: Research update Dave Combs, Dept of Dairy Science, UW-Madison

Extension Views Newsletter Page 4

I have received numerous calls about calculating the value of corn silage. Since there is no established market, it seems like there are as many ways to calculate the value of corn silage as there are corn silage growers. Below are a few of the methods and approaches I have encountered which may be of benefit for calculating a value. Actual values are related to supply and demand of corn silage, supply and demand of other feed alternatives, and local customs and tradition.

Corn silage value = relative feed value of a known market such as corn grain or baled hay

a) 1/4 to 1/2 value of hay

b) 7 to 8 times the price of a bushel of corn. If the corn silage has already been harvested, then the value may be 10 times the price of a bushel of corn.

Corn silage value = what it would cost to replace or substitute another feed.

a) Calculated using market prices for energy, protein, and digestibility as measured by NEL, crude protein and NDF. Prices of corn, soybean meal, and legume hay can be used to determine market prices for these nutritional components.

b) Calculated using other feed sources such as clover, alfalfa, lespedeza, ryegrass, etc.

Corn silage value = some price agreed upon between grower and buyer which is over and above the cost of production (contract).

The question that is continually being asked in 2013 is, what is this crop worth? The delayed and prevented planting of 2013 has farmers planting an alternative crop, or planting a crop later than desired. How do we establish a price for these alternative or immature crops? First and foremost, supply and demand will determine the price of forages; and remember, negotiation is always a part of the pricing process. To calculate a price for immature corn silage, soybeans, or alternative grass forages, let us work through an example. The second step is to determine the type of forage that is growing in the field; is it a grass, legume, or a grass legume forage mix. Current prices at local hay auctions have grass hay selling at $100 - $200 per ton; grass mixed or legume hay $200 - $300 per ton. Using these prices as a benchmark for alternative forages, convert the “as fed” price to a dry mat-ter basis (DM). Hay contains about 15% moisture, so $150/.85 DM = $176/ton DM and $200/.85 DM = $235/ton DM. Now a price is established on the DM basis and a price can be determined for alternative forages. For example, oats or Sorghum-Sudan grass forage harvested at 60% moisture, 40% DM, both parties agree on the mid range price. The price per ton of forage is then calculated by multiplying the DM of the feed. Example: $176 x 0.40 DM = $70/ton as fed. The next step would be to determine a yield per acre, the best method would be to weigh the forage wagons or bales harvested. The price established would include harvesting cost, which will need to be deducted if the purchaser does the harvesting. The Wisconsin Custom Rate Guide located at: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/custom_rates_2010.pdf will provide custom harvesting rates.

There are additional articles in this news letter to provide

information on harvesting and feeding alternative forages,

but it is difficult to cover all the possible situations. Please

contact Richard Halopka at the Clark County UW-Extension

office 715-743-5121 if there are additional questions.

Calculating the value of corn silage

Joe Lauer, Corn Agronomist

Pricing Alternative Forage Crops Richard Halopka, Crops & Soils Agent

Extension Views Newsletter Page 5

World Dairy Expo “Center of the Dairy Universe”

October 1—5, 2013

Alliant Energy Center, Madison

World Dairy Expo is the international dairy meeting place, a five day event showcasing the finest in dairy

genetics and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry.

Visit http://www.worlddairyexpo.com/

World Beef Expo

September 27—29, 2013 Wisconsin State Fair Park

World Beef Expo is one of the Midwest’s largest cattle expositions, a three day event hosting an Angus ROV show and more than two dozen other breed shows. The World Beef Expo also offers many activities and

top notch educational seminars. Visit http://www.worldbeefexpo.com/

Pictures located on the following website:

http://wimastergardener.org/?

q=WildCucumber

One weed that is visible this growing season is the growth of wild cucumber along roadsides and around building sites. Why is wild cucumber so visible in 2013? I’m not sure, but it may be related to weather conditions this past spring and summer that provided favorable conditions for wild cucumber to germinate and grow. Wild cucumber is an annual native forb. Wild cucumber reproduces from seed and develops alternate triangular or lanceolate lobed leaves on a vine stem that is nearly smooth with an angular groove that may exceed 26 feet long. It will climb and spread along fence lines or into bushes or trees. It produces a greenish to yellowish-white corolla flower with a seed pod that is covered by sharp prickles containing four seeds. Wild cucumber is valuable to game/song birds providing cover and seed. It may hinder harvest if it invades a grain crop field, but generally is seen along roadways or undisturbed building site areas. Wild cucumber has been mistaken for a perennial, field bindweed, which is on the noxious weed list in Wisconsin. Other than limiting sunlight for the plants it will vine over wild cucumber will not normally cause injuries to desired plants and it will die with the first killing frost of fall.

Weed of the Month: Wild Cucumber Richard Halopka, Crops & Soils Agent

Clark County UW-Extension

Extension Views Newsletter Page 6

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

COMPOSTING WORKSHOP

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Greenwood American Legion Hall

6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Home gardeners can learn the basics of composting through a workshop offered by

John Dziekan and Pete Dejno, Clark County Master Gardeners.

Highlights of the workshop will include:

PowerPoint presentation Hands-on demonstration Vermi composting

For more information or questions contact:

Clark County UW-Extension Richard Halopka, Crops & Soils Agent 715-743-5121

This seminar is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by: Clark County Master

Gardeners Clark County

UW-Extension

CARING FOR THE

FACES & SPACES OF CLARK COUNTY

2013 Cow/Calf Meetings

October 22, 2013

401 Dewey Dr.

Stevens Point, WI 54482

Registration and Meal 4 PM

Program 4:30-9:00 PM

For more information and to access the brochure/registration form, visit: http://marathon.uwex.edu/2013/07/16/cowcalf-seminar/

Registration Deadline: October 8th

Extension Views Newsletter Page 7

CLARK COUNTY

Build a Rain Barrel Workshop

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Time: 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. Place: American Legion Parking Lot, Greenwood Cost: $30.00 per barrel (Must Pre-Register)

Learn how to make a rain barrel, conserve water and save money!

Participants will construct a rain barrel to take home and use immediately. All of the materials, including a 55 gallon barrel, will be provided.

Benefits:

Rain barrels are a great way to keep the rain water that enters your property within your property.

Rain barrels help slow rain runoff so it can drain naturally into the ground.

Collected rainwater is better for plants be-cause it is naturally soft water and devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals.

Rain barrels provide water during dry

periods

Lower your water costs!

This workshop is sponsored by

Clark County UW-Extension and

Clark County Master Gardeners.

Call 715-743-5121 for more information

and to pre-register for this workshop.

National Dairy FARM

(Farmers Assuring Responsible Management)

Evaluator Training

Thursday, October 17, 2013

8:30 a.m.

Greenwood Fire Hall

103 W Cannery St

Greenwood, WI 54437

Agenda

8:30 a.m. Welcome Introductions

9:00 a.m. PreTest and Pre-Farm

Visits & Preparation

Conducting the On-Farm Interview

9:30 a.m. Modules 1-4

Noon Lunch

12:30 p.m. Modules 5-7

2:00 p.m. Farm Animal Care

Manual—Farm Quick Reference

User Guide Herd Size Sample

Table—Animal Observation Score

Sheet

2:30 p.m. Test

3:00 p.m. On-Site Animal Scoring

4:30 p.m. Wrap-Up & Evaluation

How to Load Data Into

National Milk Producers

Federation Farm (NMPF) Site

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

Registration Fee is $250/person

Registration deadline: October 4, 2013

Limited to first 15 individuals who register

Make check payable to: Outagamie County UW-Extension

For more information and to register, contact

Zen Miller 920-832-5119

zen.miller@ces.uwex.edu

Extension Views Newsletter Page 8

Drought often raises the issue of harvesting soybean fields for forage due to forage shortage and low yield grain yield potential of the soybeans. Little information is available concerning soybean silage. Therefore a number of farmers who had made soybean silage during the winter of 2005 were surveyed and the silage was sampled for analysis. What follows is a report of farmer experience with soybean silage. Generally the recommendation has been to harvest at the R3 stage (when one of the four top nodes with a fully developed leaf has a 3/16 inch long pod). Harvesting earlier results in reduced dry matter and harvesting later results in seed shat-ter and reduced forage quality. Most of the farmers surveyed had harvested the forage at the R3 to R4 stage. Standing soybean forage was generally at about 80% moisture at this stage and needed to be mowed and wilted to dry down to 65% moisture for ensiling. The farmers were able to mow and condition with their standard mower/conditioners, though they often needed to go slower than normal. Farmers also noted that flail conditioners caused more damage to the soybean than roller conditioners. Drying time generally took 2 to 3 days in the late fall. Forage yield averaged 1.5 tons/acre, ranging from 1.0 to 2.25 t/a. Silage was made in oxygen limiting silos, plastic bags and bunkers. Forage should be chopped with a 3/8 inch theoreti-cal length of cut for good packing. Silage of farmers surveyed was generally in the correct moisture range and fermented well. Forage quality was generally similar to alfalfa haylage. Some farmers mixed the soybean silage with other crops including 3rd crop alfalfa, corn silage, sorghum sudangrass,

and triticale. Alfalfa mixed with the soybean silage had no effect on forage quality. Sorghum Sudangrass, corn silage, and triticale all lowered the quality of the silage. We generally recommend that forages be ensiled separately (easily done with silage tubes) and mixed at the time of feeding rather than ensiling. This gives the operator has more flexibility mixing the ration according to needs of the animals being fed and quality of the ensiled material. Farmers were asked how animals consumed and performed on soybean silage. Of the farms surveyed, in only one case was feed intake decreased and there was no problem with sorting stems from leaves – likely due to the fine chop used. Most importantly, in no case was there any discernible difference in performance when animals were fed soybean silage. In summary, making soybean silage may be a good opportunity for farmers short of forage due to drought. The following recommendations will provide successful soybean silage experience:

Talk to your Crop Insurance adjuster before harvesting any insured soybeans for forage. You could forfeit a lot of money you would have otherwise received. Make sure any herbicides used on the soybeans are cleared for feeding to cattle. Harvest soybeans at R3 stage - when one of the four top nodes with a fully developed leaf has a 3/16 inch long pod. Wilt forage to 35% dry matter before ensiling. Producers felt soybean whole plant moisture was difficult to judge in the field, therefore testing is well worth the expense.

Soybean Silage Dan Undersander, Kevin Jarvik, Tom Anderson, Nick Schneider, Lee Milligan

Sorghums, Sudangrasses, and Sorghum Sudangrass Hybrids Dan Undersander

Extension Forage Agronomist, University of Wisconsin

What is the concern about prussic acid poisoning? Sorghum and sudangrass plants contain a compound called dhurrin, which can break down to release prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN). Sudangrass has low levels of this compound and rarely kills animals. Sorghum has the highest levels and sorghum-sudangrasses are intermediate. There is also considerable varietal difference in prussic acid content for all types of sorghums. Dhurrin content is highest in young plants. Therefore, the recommendation is not to graze or cut for green chop until the plant is 18 to 20 inches tall. This also applies to young regrowth in pastures. After a drought, new shoots may appear and the grazing cattle will switch from the taller forage to the new tender shoots. In addition, do not graze or green chop for 10 days after a killing frost.

Continued on next page...

Extension Views Newsletter Page 9

Concerns about prussic acid poisoning...

High levels of nitrogen fertilizer or manure will increase the likelihood of prussic acid poisoning as well as nitrate poisoning. Very dark green plant growth often contains higher levels of prussic acid. Most prussic acid is lost during the curing process. Therefore, hay and silage are seldom toxic even if the original forage was. Do not leave green chop in a wagon overnight and then feed. The heat that occurs will release prussic acid and increase likelihood of toxicity in the feed. Individual animals vary in susceptibility to prussic acid poisoning. Cattle are more susceptible than sheep. Animals receiving grain with the sorghum forage are less likely to be affected.

When should sorghums and sudangrasses be harvested?

Silage - Forage sorghums should be harvested at the mid dough stage for ensiling. At this point, quality is still good and most types have dried down enough for ensiling. Non-heading types usually require a killing frost for the plant to get dry enough to ensile. This can be a problem in that lodging and leaf loss (therefore quality) may occur during the drying period after frost. Hay - Highest yields are obtained when sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are harvested at the soft-dough stage (if a heading type). However, curing is difficult and quality is low when harvested this late. The general recommendation is to harvest either type for hay whenever forage is about 30 inches high. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are generally more difficult to make hay out of because of the larger stems. Crop should be cut six inches above the ground to encourage regrowth and two cuttings may be expected depending on yield

Green chop - Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids can be used to provide green chopped forage over summer. Begin chopping after the plant is 18 inches tall or cut at least 10 days after a killing frost to avoid prussic acid concerns. First cutting should be taken prior to heading. Pasture - Sudangrass or sudangrass hybrids can be grazed any time after the plant has reached a height of 18 inches, which is usually 5 to 6 weeks after planting. For best results, it should be grazed rotationally with a sufficiently heavy stocking rate to remove forage down to a 6 to 8 inch height in a few days. The pasture will grow rapidly when the cattle are removed for more total tonnage. Additionally, if the grazing period is short, cattle will be less likely to be grazing regrowth that is high in prussic acid.

What is the feeding value of sorghums and sudangrasses? Although these forages are generally similar to corn silage in feed value for beef cattle and sheep, there are some differences. Sudangrass grazed in its early vegetative stage contains as much available energy as corn silage and considerably more protein. However, mature sudangrasses and most sorghum and sudangrass silages are 15-20% lower in available energy than corn silage. This is because of the lower grain-to-forage ratios of the sorghums, and also because the seed coat is harder than corn and far more grain passes undigested through the animal. Crude protein levels are similar to corn silage, but they are rather variable and depend in part on the amount of nitrogen fertilization. There are brown midrib forage sorghums, sorghum-sudangrass hybrids and sudangrasses. We would recommend using brown midrib types of any of these forages. These types have not had the extent of yield reduction associated with brown midrib in corn silage. Standability is not an issue with the brown midrib sorghum-sudangrass hybrids or the brown midrib sudangrasses. Research at Nebraska showed 13% more milk production from brown midrib forage sorghums than standard forage sorghums. Additional research in Indiana has shown benefit of brown midrib sorghum-sudangrass hybrids in beef rations. Calcium and phosphorus levels of forage sorghums and sudangrasses are somewhat higher than corn silage, and the calcium-phosphorus ratio is better. Sorghum and sudangrass contain relatively high levels of potassium. Sheep producers should be aware that these forages evidently accumulate copper more than corn and often show copper levels of more than 30 ppm. This is usually not a problem for cattle, but sheep grazing or being fed sorghum and sudangrass forage should have access to a mineral mixture containing molybdenum and no additional copper.

Sorghums, Sudangrasses, and Sorghum Sudangrass Hybrids Continued...

Extension Views Newsletter Page 10

UW-Marathon County Organic Seminar

October 30

9:00 AM—3:00 PM

UW-Extension

212 River Drive

Room # 5, Wausau

Topics will include:

Is Organic Agriculture for you?

How to become organically certified

Alternative treatments for animals

Organic weed control options

Local Organic Farmers Panel

Do you have

questions

about

becoming

certified

organic, or

If Organics is

for you?” For more information

and registration:

Contact

Marathon County

UW-Extension

715-261-1230

Registrations due by

October 23rd

United States Department

of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR CONSERVATION PRACTICES We've already seen more than our fair share of gully washers and steady, heavy rainfall this season. It's especially important to have grass waterways ready to handle runoff. A grass waterway is an area where grass is left to grow permanently to drain runoff water into designated outlets, without exposing bare soil to erosion. Most farm conservation plans integrate grass waterways as part of their design. Grass waterways are most effective when used in combination with other conservation strategies, such as crop residue management, terraces, buffer strips, and other erosion control practices and structures. Wet seasons can dramatically point out the need for sufficient waterways. Make sure your farm's conservation plan uses grass waterways as needed to protect the soil. Some years, they are all that stand between the soil and severe erosion. Funding for grassed waterways (and other conservation practices) is available. Other practices include well sealing, roof runoff (to divert clean water away from manure), nutrient management, barnyard runoff control and manure storage. Sign up now at your local NRCS office. Clark County producers call NRCS at 715-743-3164 extension 3.

Extension Views Newsletter Page 11

LEARNING

FOR LIFE

Currently the Extension Views Newsletter is mailed to approximately 1600 farmers and agriculture businesses in Central Wisconsin at a cost of 0.70 per copy plus postage. County budgets are tight and each department has been asked to reduce expenses. Currently the Extension Views newsletter is available on our webpage at: http://clark.uwex.edu/agriculture/agriculture-newsletter/ or you can also receive the newsletter via email. If you would prefer one of these other options please call Lori at the Clark County UW-Extension office at 715-743-5121 or email Lori at: lori.hendrickson@co.clark.wi.us On the subject line write newsletter if you would like to try either of these options.

Download these and other practical,

research-based publications free by visiting learningstore.uwex.edu or stop in or call our

office to request a copy.

Aglime—Key to Increased Yield and Profits (A2240) Aglime is the cornerstone of a good soil fertility program. Aglime and fertilizer work together to build soil productivity—you increase profits because you get higher yields of better quality crops. Despite the importance of aglime, only 15 percent of Wisconsin cropland that needs aglime actually receives it in any given year. Find out how to best use aglime to boost the productivity of your operations. Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs (A3902) Extending the grazing season and reducing the need for stored feed is highly desirable. Though the best techniques to accomplish this vary with geographic region, type of farming operation, and other factors, this publication outlines strategies that can be used in some or many areas to extend grazing and reduce stored feed needs, thus increasing profit. Farm and Residential Petroleum Storage Tanks (GWQ030) Farmers and other rural homeowners need to pay close attention to the installation and maintenance of fuel storage tanks. This publication provides an overview of what you need to know if you have petroleum storage tanks on your property.

Session A Session B

10:30 –

11 am Registration: Pick up name tags & conference materials

11am –

12:30 pm Berry Marketing Panel

Maple Syrup Production &

Marketing Ray & Pam Melander

Dan Marzu

12:30 – 1 pm

Lunch break

Optional sandwich lunch available for $6. Must pre-register and

indicate number of lunches needed.

12:30 – 2 pm Q &A Legal advice from Rachel Armstrong

Rachel will be available for you to speak with in small group sessions

1-1:45 pm Walking Tour of Stoney Acres Farm with Tony & Kat

2-5:20 pm Berry Production – Brian Smith Beginning Bee Keeping –

Gordon Waller

5:30-6:30 Keynote Presentation — Rachel Armstrong

6:45-7:30 Dinner — Included with conference registration

Presenters & Workshop Descriptions

Legal Issues for Small Farms —Rachel Armstrong, Attorney Rachel will touch on a variety of concerns involving maple syrup, berries, honey and CSAs: some product specific regulations, food safety liability and other concerns she hears from farmers. Rachel will adapt her presen-tation to people's concerns, so register with your specific questions and she’ll incorporate them into the presentation.

Berry Production —Brian Smith, Professor of Horticulture and State Extension Commercial Fruit Spe-cialist, will cover the basics of planning, site selection, soil amendment, cultivar choice, culture, pests/control, pruning, irrigation and harvest guidelines for beginning and intermediate commercial raspberry, blueber-ry and strawberry producers.

Berry Production & Marketing Panel The conference begins with a Berry Market-ing Panel of producers currently marketing their fruit. From pick-your-own to farmers marketers, you will have ample opportunity to ask questions of this panel.

Beginning Bee Keeping —Gordon Waller, Vice President, WI Honey Producers Association (WHPA), will present information needed to begin maintaining honey bees and harvesting honey. Gordon is also a State Bee Inspector for DATCP and he will discuss the rules and regulations concerning honey production in Wisconsin.

Maple Syrup Production —Ray and Pam Melander, Merrill, were the 2013 Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers of the Year. During this session you will learn about Ray’s modern maple syrup production and marketing practices. Dan Marzu, Agriculture Educator, UWEX Marathon County will also discuss basic Maple syrup production techniques being used on many small farms in north central Wisconsin.

Tour Stoney Acres The hosts, Tony Schultz and Kat Becker, will take everyone on a walking tour of their farm. Learn about CSA and see their produc-tion practices. Learn more about their farm at http://stoneyacresfarm.net

For more information and to register, contact Taylor County UW-Extension at

715-748-3327

North Central Wisconsin Small Farms

Conference — Saturday, Oct. 19

Hosted by Stoney Acres Farm, Athens

North Central WI Small Farm Conference Schedule

Saturday, October 19 — Stoney Acres Farms, 7002 Rangeline Rd., Athens

Extension Views Newsletter Page 12

UW-Extension Staff

Sara Gronski, 4-H Youth Development Agent

sara.gronski@ces.uwex.edu

Richard Halopka, Crops and Soils Agent

richard.halopka@ces.uwex.edu

Melissa Kono, CNRED Agent

melissa.kono@ces.uwex.edu

Brenda Herrell, WNEP Coordinator

brenda.herrell@ces.uwex.edu

Lori Hendrickson, Support Staff

lori.hendrickson@co.clark.wi.us

Aleisha Olson, Support Staff

aleisha.olson@co.clark.wi.us

The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or parental, arrest

or conviction record or veteran status.

La Universidad de Wisconsin-Extensión proporciona acción afirmativa e igualdad de oportunidades en educación, programas y empleo, para todas las personas calificadas, sin tener en cuenta raza, color, sexo, credo, discapacidad, religión, nacionalidad de origen, ascendencia, edad, orientación

sexual, gravidez o paternidad, historial de detención o condena o estado de veterano de guerra.

If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity, or service, please contact the program coordinator at 715-743-5121 as soon as possible (10 days is reasonable) preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be

made in a timely fashion.

Online Resources for Wisconsin Farms More from UW-Extension

UW-Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/ News, events and information from around Wisconsin, including statewide and regional educational workshops, the

latest research and links to other useful information.

Farmer to Farmer Website Looking to buy or sell forage or grain?

http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu

The Farmer to farmer Corn and Forage List is free of charge for both buyers and sellers. Users can search for, or list for

sale: high moisture corn, corn grain, haylage, hay or straw. Buyers can search for farmers in just one WI county or in any number of counties at once.

This site is developed and supported by UW-Extension