Help the University of Wisconsin-Madison support local farmers while you enjoy a delicious dinner on campus!

Farmers who don’t want to combat potato early dying disease with pesticides may soon have another way to protect their crops, according to a University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher. However, she cautions that it will be difficult to find alternative practices that are as effective as fumigation.

When potato growers treat the soil in their fields for early dying disease, the pesticide they use doesn’t doesn’t always perform consistently. Now, a University of Wisconsin-Madison scientist has found that the soil temperature, soil moisture and depth of the application don’t explain those inconsistent results. Instead, the solution to pesticide efficiency may be to find a way to seal the top layer of soil, preventing the chemicals from escaping into the atmosphere, according to Doug Rouse, a plant pathologist with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Young people interested in dairy farming have until April 1 to apply for an innovative program, now entering its eighth year, to help them establish their own grass-based dairy farms in Wisconsin.

A new method of adding salt to mozzarella cheese, which will increase production and decrease environmental waste, has been developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in partnership with a Wisconsin company.

As a corn producer, now that you have ordered your seed and are making planting plans, there is one more thing you might want to consider – discussing your plans with your farming neighbors. With the advent of genetically engineered (sometimes called “GMO,” for Genetically Modified Organism) corn and the growth of the markets for certified organic grains, or non-GMO grain, farmers’ corn planting decisions may impact those of their neighbors, because of pollen drift.

Do your friends and family applaud your priceless sense of humor? Or do they roll their eyes in complete denial of your talent? Either way, here’s your chance to show off your cleverness, wit, and knowledge of farming, and possibly win a cash prize.

Calling all youth exhibitors! Halter up Bessie, and get ready to show Wisconsin your “herd” work. The themes for the 2002 Wisconsin Junior State Fair dairy show have been selected.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher wants to build a better corn plant from the ground down. Shawn Kaeppler is using genetics to first analyze and then improve corn’s root system.

California, the cheesehead state?