Ronald T. Schuler

Duration and effects of compaction on soil and plant growth in Wisconsin

Abstract Compaction by 8 and 12.5 Mg farm equipment caused significant subsoil compaction that persisted after 4 years in a silty clay and a silt loam soil in Wisconsin, USA. Hydraulic conductivity of saturated soil cores showed a general trend of decreasing with increasing levels of compaction. Bulk density values increased with increasing levels of compaction. Penetration resistance dramatically increased with increasing levels of compaction. Corn growth (plant height) was also a good indicator of compaction. Plant height was smaller in the compacted plots in all years. Corn grain yields were reduced in the compaction treatments the first year after compaction at both sites and the second and fourth years at the silt loam site and silty clay site, respectively.

A portable, self-leveling, constant-rate cone penetrometer with computer-controlled data acquisition for tillage studies

Abstract Precise measurements of cone resistance have become an important way of characterizing tillage effects on soil strength and compaction. Design and data capture modifications were made to a portable constant-rate field cone penetrometer. These modifications were aimed at improving the ease and rapidity of data acquisition in the field and its subsequent analysis in the laboratory. Force of penetration was determined with a load cell instead of four strain gauges mounted on a proving ring while a continuous-turn potentiometer replaced a rotary encoder for depth measurement. A strip-chart recorder or data logger was replaced by a portable computer which plotted cone resistance vs. depth for each run on its screen and saved the data to memory in the field.

A constant goal, changing tactics: The Krusenbaum dairy farm (1996–2005)

This case study documents the trajectory of a successful alternative dairy farm in southeastern Wisconsin. The 1990s were a difficult period for dairying and the Krusenbaum family entered this shifting field in 1990 with a 37-cow Holstein herd in a stanchion barn, 88 tillable hectares and a vision to gradually develop a biodynamic dairy. Low milk prices and the unrelenting workload associated with conventional dairying forced the family to look for alternative strategies. By 1995 they had converted all their land to 47 rotationally grazed paddocks, increased herd size to 70 cows and their annual net farm income had grown to a solid

Work Hazard Control Efforts by Wisconsin Dairy Farmers

54,000. The workload remained very heavy, and during the next few years they introduced a swing-16 milking parlor that approximately doubled their milking efficiency and allowed them to again increase herd size, implemented seasonal dairying and constructed an outwintering shed (1997) that greatly facilitated animal management during the winter. By 2002 the farming system had been, by and large, consolidated and by not focusing solely on milk production and crossbreeding with non-Holstein breeds, the herd benefited from improved reproductive vigor. They were then able to synchronize annual calving and the herds maximum nutritional needs with the spring flush of their pastures, which resulted in lowered purchased feed costs per cow. By this time, annual milk production was fairly constant [around 7400 kg rolling herd average (RHA)], herd health was good and annual net farm income had grown to

Temporal effects of subsoil compaction on soil strength and plant growth

75,600. In 2003, the farm became certified organic. With this change the value of the milk increased dramatically from

Agricultural work safety efforts by Wisconsin extension agricultural agents.

0.31 liter −1 to

Farm-work hazard prevention efforts by school-based agricultural education instructors.

0.45 liter −1 (

Constant Goal, Changing Tactics: A Wisconsin Dairy Farm Start-up

14.27–

Effect of dairy slurry application on soil compaction and corn (Zea mays L.) yield in Southern Wisconsin

20.24 per hundredweight), but feed costs climbed sharply due to the high cost of organic feed, as did labor costs due to the decision to train new farmers in grass-based dairying rather than simply hire employees. Due to very sound farm management, good money management and an entrepreneurial philosophy, this farm, by most performance standards, is now both highly profitable and environmentally sound and the families living on it have a good quality of life.

Promoting occupational health in agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Objective: Better information is needed about how farm operators view agricultural work hazards and prevention efforts. Agricultural work safety efforts of Wisconsin farmers were examined, along with their perceptions of the farm safety problem. Methods: A survey instrument was designed and administered to an opportunity sample of 401 dairy farmers using a standardized mail survey technique. Results: Usable questionnaires were obtained from 268 farm operators (67% response rate). Most farm operators did annual self-inspections, wore seatbelts in motor vehicles, and avoided extra riders on tractors. Most wanted to obtain and use inspection checklists and were willing to commit monetary resources to making corrections. However, most dairy farmers had no interest in Extension safety programs and had attended none in the last year. The farmers did want Extension agents to facilitate self-inspection and hazard corrections. Conclusion: Self-help tools to assist farmers in recognizing, identifying, and controlling hazards are a promising, low intensity intervention for reducing injury and disease. Extension agents are in a strong position to abet farmer self inspections.