Location: Dairy Forage Research
Project Number: 5090-21500-002-061-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 26, 2025
End Date: Sep 25, 2026
Objective:
The ARS PI and the Cooperator will work collaboratively to:
1. Collaborate with the Wisconsin Cover Crop Data to conduct a survey of Wisconsin farmers growing cover crops. This includes working with farmers to collect cover crop biomass and agronomic management practice data.
2. Conduct outreach efforts including the revision and development of publications, videos and presentations for Wisconsin farmers, agronomists, and conservation professionals on implementing soil health practices.
3. Collaborate with other Extension team members on an annual conference for Wisconsin farmers, agronomists, conservation professionals, and agency staff to learn more about best soil management practices and water quality.
4. Host two field days featuring USDA Dairy Forage Research and/or projects they fund. This includes one field day showcasing best soil management practice research at the USDA Dairy Forage Research Station.
5. Conduct best soil management field plot demonstration and research studies with Wisconsin farmers and researchers to improve soil health practice adoption.
Approach:
Objective 1: The Cooperator will work in collaboration with the Wisconsin Cover Crop Citizen Science Survey group to conduct an annual survey of Wisconsin cover cropping practices being implemented by farmers. This survey will allow farmers to collect cover crop biomass data and share agronomic management practice data. As more data is collected and analyzed the project will evolve to best capture the appropriate data to fill key missing metrics from University of Wisconsin Extension cover crop recommendations. This data is specific to Wisconsin crop rotations and geography and includes species selection, seeding rate, manure management, and biomass accumulation rate.
Objective 2: The Cooperator will develop and revise key publications, videos, and presentations for Wisconsin farmers, agronomists, and conservation professionals on implanting best soil management practices such as managing cover crops, no-till, soil testing, and nutrient management. The resources will be delivered via print, electronic, and in-person. The need for these resources will be continuously evaluated by the entire Nutrient and Pest Management team.
Objective 3: The Cooperator will work in collaboration with the Wisconsin Soil Health and Water Quality Conference planning team to host an annual conference for Wisconsin farmers, agronomists, conservation professionals, and agency staff to learn more about using best soil management practices and water quality. The conference will continuously be searching for the best topics and speakers to feature and will strive for a mix of researcher and farmer presentations. Registration revenue and sponsorships will cover the variable costs for the actual event. Since 2014, the conference has drawn nearly 400 annual attendees and numerous collaborating partners.
Objective 4: The Cooperator will co-host with US Dairy Forage Research personnel a spring and fall field day showcasing best soil management practice research at the USDFRC farm. This field day will help connect Wisconsin farmers, agronomist, and conservation professionals to research done on the station. A spring and fall field day will be annually hosted to capture the appropriate time to feature research projects and to discuss implementation on the landscape. These half day field days will provide participants and hosts an opportunity to connect and network to further existing connections. The field days will be promoted using the Nutrient and Pest management online resources.
Objective 5: The Cooperator will continue demonstration and research efforts on the topic of best soil management practices implementation. The projects may take place on Wisconsin farms and agricultural research farms and will be in collaboration with University of Wisconsin System faculty researchers. Topics may include interseeding cover crops, evaluating nitrogen management when planting corn into winter rye, and the benefits of using cover crops and no-till in crop rotations.