Crops and Soils
Crops and Soils
The Extension Crops and Soils Program provides timely resources and information to help Wisconsin crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
You can find information on:
- Crop Production and cropping systems for corn, soybeans, forages, nutrient management, soil science, commercial vegetable, and cover crops.
- Pest Management: Information on the management of weeds, insects, and disease in Wisconsin cropping systems.
- Ask Extension: Your opportunity to talk directly with Extension specialists and staff.
2023 Wisconsin Weed Science Research Report
The purpose of this report is to share the results of corn, soybean, and spring wheat herbicide evaluation research trials conducted by the Wisconsin Cropping Systems Weed Science (WiscWeeds) Program during the 2023 growing season.
Giant Ragweed Control – Research Summary
UW-Madison Weed Research Specialist & Wisconsin Herbicide Evaluation Program Coordinator Ryan DeWerff has compiled all giant ragweed chemical management in corn and soybean research results.
This publication–which was the result of six years (2018-2023) of giant ragweed driven research projects–was conducted by the WiscWeeds team at the Rock County Farm (Janesville, WI) and sponsored by commodity groups and crop protection industry. It will benefit those battling giant ragweed:
2024 Cereal Rye Cover Crop Research Report
“The adoption of cereal rye (Secale cereale) cover crop has triggered the interest of farmers as an additional tool for pigweed
(waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus] and Palmer amaranth [A. palmeri]) management in soybean production systems. Along
with interest in this practice, there have been many questions about how cereal rye can impact other weed management
practices, such as the fate of PRE-emergence (PRE) herbicides in the soil when applied over high cereal rye biomass.” Follow link below to view this multi-state field study.
Waterhemp Control in Xtendflex Soybean without Dicamba
The Wisconsin Cropping Systems Weed Science program has conducted several research trials investigating postemergence (POST) weed control in XtendFlex soybean systems (dicamba-, glufosinate-, and glyphosate-resistant soybean) without OTT applications of dicamba. Follow link for the full article:
Latest Updates in Crops and Soils
- Join UW faculty and research experts in crop management, pest management, forage, and soils at the 2024 UW–Madison Agronomy and Soils Field Day on August 28, 2024 at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The theme is “From Data to Action: Transforming Big Data into Informed Agronomic Decisions.”
- The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension welcomes three new staff positioned to amplify outreach and education for Wisconsin’s cropping community.
- About the Hay Market Report: All data have been compiled by Jason Cavadini, Grazing Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension and Becky Brathal, Regional Crops/Soils Educator. Prices are reported for alfalfa hay and grass hay. Alfalfa hay may include alfalfa/grass mix. All values are compiled from public and private quality tested sales through Wisconsin and […]
- Here we present some example calculations and explain the prevented plant options for hypothetical cases to help farmers understand their options. For additional issues to consider, see Forage Options for Prevented Plant Acres in Wisconsin in 2024.
- Wisconsin’s wet spring has slowed planting for many farmers and provided poor conditions for making hay. As a result, some farmers will be claiming prevented plant and many will be looking for more or better quality forage. This bulletin reviews crop insurance rules to help farmers understand their options for using prevented plant acres for […]
Latest News on Weeds
- Daniel H. Smith, Outreach Program Manager, UW-Madison Division of Extension, Rodrigo Werle, Weed Scientist and Extension Specialist, UW-Madison Are you planning to spray 2,4-D for postemergence broadleaf weed control in Enlist E3 soybean? The 2,4-D …
- Natasha Paris, Daniel Smith, Rodrigo Werle, Tatiane Severo Silva and Ryan DeWerff, UW-Madison This publication provides a starting point of reference when considering using cover crops following herbicides in the cropping system. It outlines rotational …
- Damon Smith, Professor and Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology Dept; Director, Nutrient and Pest Management Program The 2024 growing season looks to be challenged by not only weather, but by prices. Producing grain in years when …
- A field study was conducted by WiscWeeds Graduate Research Assistant Guilherme Chudzik in 2022 and 2023 at the Rock County Farm, Janesville, WI, to evaluate the impact of soil management practices, soybean planting time, and …
- There are a lot of weedy soybean fields across Wisconsin this year and the dry conditions are the major culprit. A lack of precipitation reduced the effectiveness of many residual herbicides and drought-affected soybeans were …
Staff
If you have any questions regarding Crops & Soils in Vernon County, please contact:
Regional Crops & Soils Educator, Sam Bibby
Serving La Crosse, Crawford, and Vernon Counties
Contact: 608-219-2055
Email: sbibby@wisc.edu
Sam Bibby serves as Regional Crops Educator, covering La Crosse, Vernon, and Crawford counties. Sam works to address the specific needs of producers and community members related to crop production. Outreach efforts will aim to form a bridge between university lead research and on farm practices.
He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he earned his undergraduate degree in soil and crop science in 2019. He then attended North Dakota State University and earned his master’s degree in plant science. Sam’s masters research was titled “Corn-Alfalfa Intercropping with Different Row Spacings” and was focused on developing a more profitable way for producers in the Northern Great Plains to establish alfalfa. Most recently, Sam worked for the NDSU Forages and Industrial Crops Program as the Research Specialist and was responsible for designing, managing, and analyzing field trials related to forage and industrial crop production.
Sam’s primary interests lie in conservation, farm technology, intensive crop management, forages, and alternative crops. Sam hopes his background in research and day-to-day farm operations will help him deliver tangible, data driven solutions to growers.
