2026 MFA/Outagamie Forage Council Regional Summer Twilight Meeting

Hosted by: J-Springs Dairy, N4182 County Rd. EE, Appleton, WI 54913

Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), Continuing Education Units (CEU) Available

Weeds – everyone has them and needs to have a sound strategy to control them. Other than land rent and fertilizer costs, one of the most challenging parts of a crop enterprise budget is determining what approach to take for weed management. A two-pass system has become mandatory to control waterhemp when growing soybeans. However when it comes to corn, farmers in East-Central and Northeastern Wisconsin are split between one-pass and two-pass systems. Dan Smith, Statewide Weed Science Outreach Specialist, will address the advantages and disadvantages between these two approaches and identify the factors farmers need to consider when making these decisions. Dan will also discuss other weed species that continue to be problematic and how we can limit their overall impact on your bottom line. A successful weed management program includes timing cover crop termination correctly and whether Mother Nature provides sufficient rainfall to activate spray products in the field. Don’t miss the opportunity to add actionable ideas to your weed control toolbox.

Our second presentation will cover the new UW-Madison potassium (K) recommendations and strategies for crop potassium management in Wisconsin. Chris Clark, Northeast Regional Outreach Specialist, will provide insight into why K can be a tricky crop nutrient. Plus, she will be summarizing preliminary findings on nutrient removal rates and how the results are contributing to updating the UW-Madison alfalfa recommendations. Learn more about the latest alfalfa research from the field.

All of Us Know More than Some of Us. Categorizing our current economic situation in Agriculture as “Challenging” would be an understatement. Persistent low commodity prices combined with inflated input costs have created circumstances that severely limit the profit potential for farmers across the board in 2026. We have assembled a diverse and accomplished panel of experts representing dairy, finance, grain production, and crop management who will be able to share their insights. Hear firsthand what they are advising their own clientele to do or what practices they are currently implementing on their own farms to navigate the difficult path to profitability. Audience participation and questions will be encouraged.

• 6:30 pm A full meal and refreshments will be provided by sponsors who will be recognized at the event
• 7:00 pm Effective Strategies for Managing Weeds – What Can I Add to My Toolbox to Help in the Field?
  • Dan Smith, Statewide Weed Science Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension
• 7:45 pm The Potassium Puzzle: Understanding Crop Response and New UW Guidance
  • Chris Clark, Northeast Regional Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension
• 8:15 pm Successfully Navigating Low Commodity Prices and High Input Costs – Agricultural Issues Panel
  • Aerica Bjurstrom, Regional Dairy Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension
  • Kevin Konkol, Vice President of Agricultural Lending, First State Bank – New London
  • Kyle Much, CCA Independent Professional Crop Consultant/Owner, Much Crop Consulting
  • Matt Van Wychen, Co-Owner/Operator, Van Wychen Farms
• 9:00 pm Refreshments & Networking Opportunities to Interact with Sponsors and Attendees

This event is open and free to the public. RSVP no later than Monday, August 10, 2026, to ensure your meal.

Contact Ina Montgomery, Extension Outagamie, at (920)-832-4763, email ina.montgomery@wisc.edu, use the following link to register for this event at: https://bit.ly/2026TwilightMeeting.

Following the presentations, there will be refreshments/networking time to enjoy with others.

Join us on August 12th for a FREE MEAL and what will be an informative and educational event!