Manure management is a standard part of Wisconsin farm life, but as operations grow and liquid storage systems become more common, the risks associated with manure pits are trending upward. This is according to UW-Madison Professor and Division of Extension Specialist Rebecca Larson.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator or a new hand, here are five critical safety tips to keep in mind before you head out to the pits.

Manure management is a standard part of Wisconsin farm life, but as operations grow and liquid storage systems become more common, the risks associated with manure pits are trending upward. This is according to UW-Madison Professor and Division of Extension Specialist Rebecca Larson.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned operator or a new hand, here are five critical safety tips to keep in mind before you head out to the pits.

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

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

Critical Safety Tips Before Heading To The Manure Pit

Chris Clark, a soil and nutrient management outreach specialist with the Division of Extension, tells Stephanie Hoff about her latest research looking into the micronutrients in manure. She explains that due to EPA air quality improvements, sulfur contributions from acid rain have dropped from 10 pounds per year to less than one pound. Long-term data comparison shows that while several nutrients were tracked, boron and sulfur are the two showing the most significant downward trends in manure. While farmers focus on N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), this research highlights the importance of secondary nutrients like calcium and magnesium, and micronutrients like copper, zinc, and manganese. Many agronomists have already begun instinctively supplementing sulfur between hay cuttings because they noticed deficiencies in plant tissue and soil analyses years ago.

Chris Clark, a soil and nutrient management outreach specialist with the Division of Extension, tells Stephanie Hoff about her latest research looking into the micronutrients in manure. She explains that due to EPA air quality improvements, sulfur contributions from acid rain have dropped from 10 pounds per year to less than one pound.&nbsp;Long-term data comparison shows that while several nutrients were tracked, boron and sulfur are the two showing the most significant downward trends in manure.&nbsp;While farmers focus on N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), this research highlights the importance of secondary nutrients like calcium and magnesium, and micronutrients like copper, zinc, and manganese. Many agronomists have already begun instinctively supplementing sulfur between hay cuttings because they noticed deficiencies in plant tissue and soil analyses years ago.

Is Manure Feeding Your Crops Like It Used To?

This time of year is extremely busy time of year in the equine world. Dr. Lisa Nesson joins us, she's an equine veterinarian at Irongate Equine Clinic. She tells me that this time of year she's doing all kinds of preventative health care. That includes vaccinations, travel preparation, routine dental care, deworming and more. On top of that, because horses are seasonal breeders, she spends a lot of time caring for mares and foals this time of year. Spring also means that we're beginning to see paddocks full of luscious new grass. Dr. Nesson tells us a few things that we need to consider before turning our horses out.

This time of year is extremely busy time of year in the equine world. Dr. Lisa Nesson joins us, she's an equine veterinarian at Irongate Equine Clinic. She tells me that this time of year she's doing all kinds of preventative health care. That includes vaccinations, travel preparation, routine dental care, deworming and more. On top of that, because horses are seasonal breeders, she spends a lot of time caring for mares and foals this time of year. Spring also means that we're beginning to see paddocks full of luscious new grass. Dr. Nesson tells us a few things that we need to consider before turning our horses out.

Exercise Caution When Turning Horses Onto New Grass

The agriculture road improvement program has been in place for over a year.  The goal - improving the states rural infrastructure.  How's it doing?  Kiley Allan follows up with John DesRivieres, Director of Communications at the WI Dept. of Transportation.  He says the program has been overwhelmingly popular with farmers and their community leaders.  DesRivieres says while some projects are complete, many more are underway.  DesRivieres also says they're accepting more applications for the next round of funding.

A little less heat today, but dry weather remains.  Stu Muck says there's not much rain on the horizon for those fields freshly planted.

While America celebrates its 250th anniversary, USDA is also celebrating about 100 years of providing news content focused on farming and rural America.  Rod Bain kicks of a series that takes a look back at how communicating with the nation's farmers and rural residents has changed.

April milk production figures came in a little stronger than initially expected according to Ryan Yonkman with EverAg.  Yonkman tells Pam Jahnke that one story getting a little attention is how much dairy might be consumed connect to FIFA World Cup games in the East.

The agriculture road improvement program has been in place for over a year.&nbsp; The goal - improving the states rural infrastructure.&nbsp; How's it doing?&nbsp; Kiley Allan follows up with John DesRivieres, Director of Communications at the WI Dept. of Transportation.&nbsp; He says the program has been overwhelmingly popular with farmers and their community leaders.&nbsp; DesRivieres says while some projects are complete, many more are underway.&nbsp; DesRivieres also says they're accepting more applications for the next round of funding.
A little less heat today, but dry weather remains.&nbsp; Stu Muck says there's not much rain on the horizon for those fields freshly planted.
While America celebrates its 250th anniversary, USDA is also celebrating about 100 years of providing news content focused on farming and rural America.&nbsp; Rod Bain kicks of a series that takes a look back at how communicating with the nation's farmers and rural residents has changed.
April milk production figures came in a little stronger than initially expected according to Ryan Yonkman with EverAg.&nbsp; Yonkman tells Pam Jahnke that one story getting a little attention is how much dairy might be consumed connect to FIFA World Cup games in the East.

Critical Safety Tips Before Heading To The Manure Pit

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