Wisconsin farmers lead the nation in silage production, producing more than 10 million tons per year. Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison aims to improve the nutritional value of that cow chow. Jim Coors, a corn breeder in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, has identified exotic corn inbreds that have high nutritional values as silage. One of these inbred families, from Uruguay, could significantly increase the nutritional quality above levels now available in commercial hybrids.

Five tours will highlight the latest in crops and soils research at Agronomy Field Day, Wednesday, July 1 at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Arlington Agricultural Research Station. The field day is being held in conjunction with the Farm Progress Hay Expo, and a number of machinery manufacturers will be demonstrating their equipment.

The Wisconsin student branch of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers captured first place in the first ASAE National 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, held May 30-31 in the Quad Cities area.

The Food Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will receive the first Food Safety Award from the National Food Processors Association, the group announced May 27.

Forages will be the focus of the summer field day Wednesday, June 24 at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Marshfield Agricultural Research Station.

The new instructional greenhouse at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has received an Honor Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The D. C. Smith Instructional Greenhouse has now garnered four awards in five months.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison National Agricultural Marketing Association club won the Outstanding Student Chapter Award for the second year in a row at the NAMA annual conference April 16 in Dallas, Texas. This is the first time any school has won back-to-back awards.

Reduced herbicide rates plus cultivation can be as effective as full herbicide rates, say researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A four-year study at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Arlington Agricultural Research Station showed that reduced rates integrated with cultivation decreased the annual weed seedbank in several tillage systems while maintaining crop yield.

University entomologists from across the corn belt have a message that may leave many farmers shaking their heads.

A series of informational events will get underway April 25 at the Farmers’ Market on the Capitol Square as part of the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ celebration of the state’s 150th anniversary.