No matter what state you call home, conservation is a universal priority for farmers dedicated to preserving the land for future generations.  Alice Crothers of Long Green Farms in Maryland sheds some light on how conservation has allowed their family to now be the 8th generation on the farm. 

The Crothers Family were the 2022 Maryland Leopold Conservation Award Winners.

https://sandcountyfoundation.org/our-work/leopold-conservation-award-program/caleb-and-alice-crothers

*Photo Courtesy of Sand County Foundation

No matter what state you call home, conservation is a universal priority for farmers dedicated to preserving the land for future generations.  Alice Crothers of Long Green Farms in Maryland sheds some light on how conservation has allowed their family to now be the 8th generation on the farm. 
The Crothers Family were the 2022 Maryland Leopold Conservation Award Winners.
<a href="https://sandcountyfoundation.org/our-work/leopold-conservation-award-program/caleb-and-alice-crothers">https://sandcountyfoundation.org/our-work/leopold-conservation-award-program/caleb-and-alice-crothers</a>
*Photo Courtesy of Sand County Foundation

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Connecting States Through Conservation

There's no doubt about it - Wisconsin has a lot of manure to manage year round.  Keeping track of where it goes is not only good fertilizer management, it's necessary nutrient management accountability.  Stephanie Hoff talks to a UW-Extension Specialist, Chris Clark, who's introducing a new app that makes it easier.  Manure Tracker App can advise applicators when they're in an area of a field that shouldn't have nutrients, as well as generate reports for NRCS and land conservation partners that elaborates on where nutrients did get applied and at what rates.

Warm in Kansas City where Pam Jahnke's at for the National Farm Broadcasting Convention.  Stu Muck says Wisconsin will be looking for a little rain within the next 24 hours.

With the early wrap to this year's harvest, used equipment of all types are starting to appear on auctions all across the country. Ashley Huhn joins Pam Jahnke from the Steffes Group to highlight a new partner they've acquired in Canada - and to amplify some of the equipment currently listed. Paid for by the Steffes Group.

Cooler weather has critters seeking shelter indoors.  Charitee Seebecker gets some tips on keeping them outside with Marcus Mueller, owner and operator of Skeedadle Critter Control.

There's no doubt about it - Wisconsin has a lot of manure to manage year round.  Keeping track of where it goes is not only good fertilizer management, it's necessary nutrient management accountability.  Stephanie Hoff talks to a UW-Extension Specialist, Chris Clark, who's introducing a new app that makes it easier.  Manure Tracker App can advise applicators when they're in an area of a field that shouldn't have nutrients, as well as generate reports for NRCS and land conservation partners that elaborates on where nutrients did get applied and at what rates.
Warm in Kansas City where Pam Jahnke's at for the National Farm Broadcasting Convention.  Stu Muck says Wisconsin will be looking for a little rain within the next 24 hours.
With the early wrap to this year's harvest, used equipment of all types are starting to appear on auctions all across the country. Ashley Huhn joins Pam Jahnke from the Steffes Group to highlight a new partner they've acquired in Canada - and to amplify some of the equipment currently listed. Paid for by the Steffes Group.
Cooler weather has critters seeking shelter indoors.  Charitee Seebecker gets some tips on keeping them outside with Marcus Mueller, owner and operator of Skeedadle Critter Control.

Keeping Critters Out And Making Sure Manure Goes Where It Should

Aztalan Bio, a leading ethanol producer, has made significant strides in refining its processes, according to CEO Jeff Oestmann. As the corn harvest comes in early this year, Oestmann notes that the crop's dry quality is beneficial. "Corn is coming out of the field very dry, which is great for maintaining the quality of the harvested grain," he says.

One of the key innovations at Aztalan Bio is their use of front-end dry fractionation, which sets them apart from other ethanol facilities. Oestmann explains, "This method allows us to separate all the constituents of the corn before it enters the distillation process, which results in a high-protein, low-fat product that is perfect for dairy rations." This process also allows them to produce corn germ, a byproduct that is valuable in poultry and livestock feed.

Additionally, the facility produces a wet distiller’s grain that also has high protein and low fat, beneficial for dairy and beef rations. "Farmers have responded positively to the quality of our dry distillers grains and other byproducts," Oestmann shares. "We've been in operation for about a year now, and the feedback has been great. The high fiber aspect of our product feeds well, and we are expanding our reach to areas further from our facility."

Aztalan Bio, a leading ethanol producer, has made significant strides in refining its processes, according to CEO Jeff Oestmann. As the corn harvest comes in early this year, Oestmann notes that the crop's dry quality is beneficial. "Corn is coming out of the field very dry, which is great for maintaining the quality of the harvested grain," he says.
One of the key innovations at Aztalan Bio is their use of front-end dry fractionation, which sets them apart from other ethanol facilities. Oestmann explains, "This method allows us to separate all the constituents of the corn before it enters the distillation process, which results in a high-protein, low-fat product that is perfect for dairy rations." This process also allows them to produce corn germ, a byproduct that is valuable in poultry and livestock feed.
Additionally, the facility produces a wet distiller’s grain that also has high protein and low fat, beneficial for dairy and beef rations. "Farmers have responded positively to the quality of our dry distillers grains and other byproducts," Oestmann shares. "We've been in operation for about a year now, and the feedback has been great. The high fiber aspect of our product feeds well, and we are expanding our reach to areas further from our facility."

Ethanol Meets Innovation at Aztalan Bio

With winter fast approaching, Wisconsin farmers are preparing for a season of unpredictable weather, following a warmer-than-usual winter last year. Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin’s State Climatologist, shares key insights into what the winter outlook holds.

"We’re not expecting the extreme warmth of last winter," Vavrus explains. "In fact, NOAA’s National Weather Service is forecasting an equal chance of a warm, cold, or near-normal winter. This doesn’t give us much to work with."

However, Vavrus notes that the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin, could see a wetter-than-normal winter. "The eastern half of Wisconsin, in particular, is likely to experience above-average precipitation," he says. This could mean more snow, rain, or a combination of both, depending on how temperatures unfold.

The timing of this precipitation could be crucial for farmers. "If the soils freeze early, any rain or snow will run off. But if the freeze is delayed, moisture can infiltrate the soil, which is beneficial after this year’s drought," Vavrus adds. Currently, soils are warmer than usual, allowing rainfall and early snow to absorb more effectively.

With winter fast approaching, Wisconsin farmers are preparing for a season of unpredictable weather, following a warmer-than-usual winter last year. Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin’s State Climatologist, shares key insights into what the winter outlook holds.
"We’re not expecting the extreme warmth of last winter," Vavrus explains. "In fact, NOAA’s National Weather Service is forecasting an equal chance of a warm, cold, or near-normal winter. This doesn’t give us much to work with."
However, Vavrus notes that the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin, could see a wetter-than-normal winter. "The eastern half of Wisconsin, in particular, is likely to experience above-average precipitation," he says. This could mean more snow, rain, or a combination of both, depending on how temperatures unfold.
The timing of this precipitation could be crucial for farmers. "If the soils freeze early, any rain or snow will run off. But if the freeze is delayed, moisture can infiltrate the soil, which is beneficial after this year’s drought," Vavrus adds. Currently, soils are warmer than usual, allowing rainfall and early snow to absorb more effectively.

Connecting States Through Conservation

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