Nutrient Management

This 4-page publication discusses the pros and cons of several species that can be used as cover crops and annual forage crops when planted following wheat or other short season crops mid-July through mid-August. Practical objective-based management and selection guidelines, based on university research trials and multiple years of on-farm collaboration, are provided for several legume, cereal grain and brassica species as well as insights on some mixtures. Publication is 11 x 17 folded to 8-1/2 x 11

This card can help you determine your soil test categories, which you will need when using the University of Wisconsin’s recommendations for P2O5 and K2O fertilizer application rates; there are different application rates for each of the soil test categories.This card is based on the information from the UW-Extension publication Nutrient Application Guidelines for Field, Vegetable, and Fruit Crops in Wisconsin (A2809) - - specifically tables 7.1 and 7.2.

Reducing dietary phosphorus to recommended levels is an important practice for improving nutrient management on Wisconsin dairy farms. This publication outlines the background, research and results of several studies on how dietary P effects the overall nutrient cycle on farms.

Grow your own nitrogen! If you plant winter wheat, you have an opportunity to “grow” your own nitrogen (N) to help manage input costs and accrue soil quality benefits. The age-old practice of green manuring, especially in conjunction with wheat, can produce significant creditable N for corn the next year. It also protects the soil and may be eligible for cost share under local and Federal conservation programs. This publication gives an overview of research results and offers advice on how to best manage the cropping system for good wheat and nitrogen yields.

This timely four-page factsheet provides ideas and guidelines for planting a cover crop on fields where the planting of an intended commodity crop, within the federal crop insurance eligibility dates, was prevented due to excessively wet conditions.  It focuses on cover crop applications, where the crop is grown exclusively for soil cover and associated benefits to soil health, weed management and the crop rotation, rather than for use as an annual forage. Basic selection and management information for some of the most common and economical species used as summer or fall planted cover crops in Wisconsin is provided.

Know How Much You Haul gives step-by-step instructions on how to calibrate a manure spreader, and a worksheet for calculating manure load, spreading rate and nutrient credits. 2 pages.

This 28 page booklet will help producers keep track of manure applications on their farms. The booklet can be used in conjunction with a nutrient management plan or as a starting point for understanding nutrient applications on the farm. Each application record has data fields that are parallel with the Daily Log screen in SnapPlus (Wisconsin's nutrient management software). The booklet is 4 x 9 inches. Copies are available from the NPM Program.

New for 2020!

A handy reference for determing the nitrogen (N) application rates that will provide maximum economic returns based on the cost of N and an anticipated price for corn (also known as the MRTN rate). On the front of the card is the University of Wisconsin Nitrogen Guidelines for Corn Table and on the reverse side are additional guidelines and a N:Corn Price Ratio Table.

Nutrient Management Fast Facts is an information-packed quick reference. Printed on sturdy cardstock, it gives the user quick access to all types of information needed for nutrient management planning. 2 pages.

Four farmers share their experience completing their own nutrient management plans, including the benefits they received from soil sampling, manure crediting, understanding spreading restrictions, and utilizing Wisconsin’s nutrient recommendations. The brochure is a single 8-1/2 x 11 inch page that can be tri-folded.

This handy card is part of a four part series on balancing dietary phosphorus. This card explains how phosphorus cycles on the farm, and if the balance is off you could be losing profits and contributing to phosphorus run-off.

This handy card is part of a four part series on balancing dietary phosphorus. This card explains how dietary P can influence the amount of acres you would need to spread according to NRC recommendations.

This handy card is part of a four part series on balancing dietary phosphorus. This card explains how you can optimize your dietary P levels.

This handy card is part of a four part series on balancing dietary phosphorus. This card explains how important it is to know how much phosphorus can vary in different feed supplements.

This four page publication summarizes four focus group interview sessions in Wisconsin's Dane and Brown Counties. The goal of the focus groups was to understand the motivations, challenges and successes for farms currently using, previously using or considering using fall-planted cover crops as spring forages.   This publication summarizes what we learned.

Winter rye can be used as a cover crop after corn silage to protect against soil erosion, and in parts of Wisconsin is recommended by conservation planners. This publication outlines the factors affecting rye forage yield and quality; nitrogen and phosphorus implications; and other considerations when using rye as part of cover crop / forage system.

Soil Testing Basics is a visual guide showing how to fill out a Soil Test Information Form and how to read and interpret the Soil Test Results that you get back from the soil testing lab. The publication is printed on heavy stock and measures 8-1/2 x 11 inches when folded.

The University of Wisconsin’s nitrogen (N) fertilizer guidelines for wheat allow growers to determine N application rates that provide maximum economic returns based on the cost of N and an anticipated wheat price. This card uses information from the UW-Extension publication Nutrient Application Guidelines for Field, Vegetable, and Fruit Crops in Wisconsin (A2809) - - specifically tables 6.2.

What is a Nutrient Management Plan is a introductory publication that outlines the basic components common to all farm nutrient management plans. 4 pages.