University of Wisconsin - Extension

UW-Extension news

March 2010

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Don’t throw nutrition out the window when eating away from home

Susan Nitzke

You probably already know that Americans need to eat more whole grains, low-fat milk, and fruits and vegetables. What you might not realize is that national surveys show we tend to make poorer choices when eating away from home. For example, eating breakfast away from home usually means eating fewer whole-grains and dairy foods and more calories from saturated fat, alcohol and added sugar. When people eat their dinner away from home they tend to eat fewer vegetables, especially the nutritious vegetables in the dark green and orange category.

Keep family communication lines open when times are hard

Bridget Mouchon

UW-Extension educators urge families to talk about their situation

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

A Decision Support System for Dairy Production and Expansion

Victor Cabrera and Jay Janowski

Madison, Wis. – Several decisions are made daily on a dairy farm – some involve cow and labor management, others address crop and business concerns, and there are a host of others in between. Unfortunately, dairy producers do not always have enough information to make the best decisions for current circumstances. One could argue time constraints significantly hamper the ability to make profitable decisions all the time noted Victor E. Cabrera, University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension dairy systems management specialist.

Fresh-Market Vegetable Grower Workshops scheduled for March

Keith Vander Velde and Ken Schroeder

Stevens Point, Wis. – The 2009 vegetable growing season turned out to be quite unique. We experienced one of the coolest growing seasons on record along with sporadic rainfall throughout much of central Wisconsin. This extended cool weather brought about many crop production challenges.

Northcentral Wisconsin Land Stewardship Conference Coming April 10

Mark Kopecky

Phillips, Wis. -- If you’re a rural landowner who is interested in ideas on how to manage your land and practice good stewardship, make plans to attend the 8th annual Northcentral Wisconsin Land Stewardship Conference at the Prentice High School on Saturday, April 10.

UW-Extension Winter Wheat Seminars scheduled for March

Paul Esker, Jim Stute, Steve Huntzicker, and Bryce Larson

Madison, Wis. – Workshops for farmers and crop consultants interested in growing winter wheat will be held March 18 in Rockford, IL, March 24 in Brant, WI, and March 26 in Holmen, WI.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Celebrate Groundwater Awareness Week by properly filling and sealing unused wells

Kevin Masarik

Stevens Point, Wis.-- Groundwater Awareness Week, March 7-13, offers the perfect time to talk about important things that landowners can do to protect groundwater on their property.

Seventy-five percent of Wisconsin residents depend on groundwater for daily needs

Kevin Masarik

Groundwater Awareness Week, Mar. 7-13, highlights importance of resource

Test your well water in the spring

Kevin Masarik

Groundwater is vital to all of us living in Wisconsin, and the coming of spring represents an important time for our groundwater resources. You can celebrate Groundwater Awareness Week (March 7-13) by having your well water tested.

The groundwater story

Kevin Masarik

We can’t see it, but its presence affects most of us everyday

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

2010 Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest Results

Bernadette O’Rourke

Madison, Wis. -- The Seventh Livestock Quiz Bowl contest was held on Saturday, January 23 at University of Wisconsin – Madison Animal Sciences Building. Eighteen teams participated in this event from all over the state.

Financial recordkeeping training using Quickbooks scheduled for March 2010 in Reedsburg

Jenny Vanderlin and Denise Brusveen

Madison, Wis. – Are you interested in learning how to use Quickbooks computer software for your farm financial recordkeeping? The University of Wisconsin-Extension, Center for Dairy Profitability and UW-River Falls are offering a Beginner’s Quickbooks Workshop at MATC-Reedsburg, Monday, March 15, 2010 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Heart of the Farm Conference in Merrill scheduled for Friday, March 19

Joy Kirkpatrick, Sandy Stuttgen, Alex Crockford, and Tom Cadwallader

Madison, Wis. – Farm women from Lincoln, Marathon, Langlade and Taylor Counties and the surrounding area are invited to participate in the Heart of the Farm – Women in Agriculture conference to be held Friday, March 19, 2010. This program provides farm women with the opportunity to network with other farm women and learn about balancing farm, work and family; planning for the unexpected loss of a farming partner or spouse; financial recordkeeping options; and managing and communicating with your partners about debt.

Register early for 2010 Wisconsin Lakes Convention March 30-April 1

Kim Becken

'Fringe Benefits: Restoring Wisconsin Shorelands and

UW-Extension and UW Colleges Chancellor Named to Presidential Panel

Howard Cosgrove

David Wilson joins new board on historically black colleges and universities

Vineyard maintenance workshop scheduled for March 25

Contact: Wisconsin Grape Growers Association, 920-478-3852

Workshop addresses hop and barley production for Wisconsin craft beer industry

Carl Duley and Tim Rehbein

Madison, Wis. – Hops were once grown extensively in Western Wisconsin. While the Pacific Northwest is now a major world supplier of hops, Wisconsin may be a player in the production of hops for local craft breweries.

Monday, March 01, 2010

UW-Extension and UW Colleges Tout Economic Development at the Capitol

Howard Cosgrove

Exhibits show how they help Wisconsin’s economy grow

Using social networking to reach new hunters

Bret Shaw

A new initiative called the Hunters Network of Wisconsin aims to understand how social networking technology may be used to promote hunter recruitment and retention in Wisconsin.