Agriculture

Extension’s Agriculture Institute is your connection to the latest University of Wisconsin-Madison research. Our five program areas; Agriculture Water Quality, Crops and Soils, Dairy and Livestock, Farm Management, and Horticulture, are here to educate and respond to the needs of the agriculture community while providing resources that promote economic and environmental sustainability in Wisconsin. We apply research to challenges facing communities and businesses.

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Our Programs

Crops & Soil

Three people in a field looking at a soil sample.

The Crops and Soils program consists of Extension educators and specialists who provide research-based agronomic information and decision-making tools to farmers and farm advisors. We work to help Wisconsin farmers improve the success of their cropping systems by providing research-based information for profitability and success.

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Dairy & Livestock

A mom and 2 baby livestock cows in a field.

Helping farmers, consumers, and allied industries to make informed decisions about beef cattle, poultry, sheep and goats, equine, swine, and meat science. And strengthening the competitiveness of the Wisconsin dairy industry through education and research.

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Farm Technology Days

One of the objectives of 2019 Jefferson County Wisconsin Farm Technology Days was to support community development. This undertaking provided the funds to aid scholarship distribution to support youth and agriculture.

Application is CLOSED

Pesticide Applicator Training

Tractor applying pesticide on a field — Photo by Paddy Pohlod on Unsplash

The University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Program provides educational materials for the purpose of pesticide applicator certification in Wisconsin.

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Farmland Rental & Custom Rates

Accessing farmland requires many farmers to navigate pricing, contracts, and plans for the farm’s future. The UW-Madison Division of Extension strives to help you navigate this challenge by providing research-based data and information to aid in decision-making for your farm.

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Headlines

Free Financial Analysis for Dairy Farmers

Raising heifers has become increasingly expensive in recent years, tightening margins across Wisconsin’s dairy industry. Tracking and understanding these costs and comparing them with peers is essential for informed management decisions.

The UW–Madison Extension Dairy Program invites you to participate in our new survey to evaluate economic costs and labor efficiencies for herd replacements.

Why Participate?
Get Benchmarks: Help create the data you need to compare your costs against state averages.
Free Analysis: If you need help completing the survey, our Dairy Educators will provide you with a free, personalized financial analysis of your operation.

Take Survey

Bilingual Dairy Worker Newsletter

Created through a collaborative effort between the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Extension Dairy education and Farm Management teams, Bovi-Noticias provides a free accessible, research-based content aimed at strengthening on-farm practices, improving workplace safety, and fostering more effective communication among dairy workers and decision-makers.

Important Information

Avian Influenza Information

Chickens laying on stray and standing around

This virus does not discriminate between large or small flocks, or husbandry type. In the past, large commercial flocks were infected, as well as small hobby flocks. In response to confirmed AI outbreaks, many countries refuse to allow poultry and egg shipments from affected states. Because of the public health and economic consequences, it is important for all poultry owners to do everything they can to prevent infection in their flocks.

Avian Influenza and Biosecurity in 2025 – Livestock
Avian Influenza A Virus | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/about/