Agriculture

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BARN:  Successful Farming in Southeast WI

Washington County Land Conservation is hosting a workshop for farmers on Wednesday, March 8, 2017.  Topics include;

• Smart Weeds - Smarter Farmers
• Nutrient Management
• Farmer-Led Conservation
• Soil health
• Pest Management

Time:  10:30am - 2:30pm

Location:  Cabela’s, 2nd floor conference room, Richfield, WI

RSVP by Monday, March 6: Fay Fitts - 262.335.4800

February ENews Update: Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants

The February news update includes a recap of the Producer-Led Workshop, cover crop advice from Dane County UW-Extension and information about Discovery Farm’s new Farmer Network. 

Raising Dairy Heifers Workshop

Market volatility has been and continues to be a common theme in the dairy sector. Raising Quality Dairy Heifers will provide answers to building and implementing effective management strategies in raising heifers. Dairy farmers, custom heifer raisers, veterinarians, nutritionists and anyone with a concern with raising heifers should attend.

Learn and understand current research for creating heifer efficiencies on your farm from well-known dairy professors and researchers.  Topics to include: reproduction, hoof health, culling decisions, overcrowding, and feeding.

Request for Applications due April 15, 2017 for 2018 Nutrient Management Farmer Education Grants

Nutrient Management Farmer Education Grants cover costs for entities to conduct farmer nutrient management training courses that enable farmers to become qualified to write their own nutrient management plans for their farms. Producer-led groups that meet the qualifications in the Request for Applications are also eligible to apply for this funding.

Cover Crops and Nutrient Retention

The recent issue of No-Till Farmer included an article about a new on-farm study to look at the effectiveness of cover crops for retaining nitrogen.  Trey Hill talks about the cover crop test plot Harborview Farms is working on with University of Maryland soil scientist Ray Weil to study the amount of nutrients the cover crops can hold onto and when those nutrients will be released.

Nutrient Losses to Tile Drains

UW Discovery Farms has prepared a new reference comparing nutrient losses to tile drains and surface runoff. Their new tile two-pager compares tile and surface nutrient losses and identifies management strategies to control losses from tile lines. Check out the facts and figures.

Monitoring

Volunteer Stream Monitoring

Waukesha County Land and Water is hosting a training opportunity for volunteer stream monitoring.  See below for more information;

May 6:  Volunteer Stream Monitor Training - Waukesha

Outreach

Beaver and trout management Meetings

Department of Natural Resources staff will hold public meetings in March to improve understanding of the benefits free-flowing cold-water systems provide trout, create awareness of the positive and negative impacts of beaver, and discuss efforts to achieve balance in beaver management.

DNR staff will provide an overview of the beaver management plan, background on cold water trout management as it relates to beaver management, and beaver control plans by county at each meeting.  The public is encouraged to attend and provide feedback at the meetings. 

Stormwater (MS4)

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Conference

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is holding their 18th annual conference in Green Lake, WI on March 7-8.

Venue:  Heidel House

Conference Agenda

The conference will address numerous topics of interest relating to TMDL Implementation and Stormwater, including trading, adaptive management, and MS4 compliance.  Specific to urban stormwater, topics include;

Urban Stormwater

• Pervious Pavement
• Communication Strategies: Using Social Media
• WDOT Stormwater Management: HWY 441
• All Eyes of You: Ethical Considerations in Stormwater

Wastewater

Multi-Discharger Variance

WDNR was notified February 6th that USEPA has approved the statewide Multi-Discharger Variance (MDV) for phosphorus.  DNR is in the process of working on a plan for MDV implementation and roll-out. For more information, visit the MDV Website.

The MDV extends the timeline for complying with low-level phosphorus limits. In exchange, point sources commit to step-wise reductions of phosphorus within their effluent as well as helping to address nonpoint sources of phosphorus from farm fields, cities or natural areas to implement projects designed to improve water quality. The MDV is similar to an individual variance. However, multiple point sources can be covered under the MDV, whereas an individual variance only applies to a single facility.

We have a number of educational resources available online to help communities learn about the MDV, including;

• Website
• MDV fact sheet
• MDV Implementation Guidance

Wisconsin Wastewater Operators' Association Biosolids Symposium

The Symposium provides information on current issues related to biosolids and septage management, enabling municipal officials, plant operators, contractors, and consultants to respond proactively to new challenges. The Symposium has a tradition of providing a forum for discussion and information exchange by assembling speakers who are recognized experts in their respective fields.

WWOA 2017 Biosolids Symposium

Steven's Point, WI

Tuesday March 21, 2017

Confererence Brochure & Registration

Online Registration