I hope this correspondence finds you well and in good spirits as we begin 2026. While dairy and beef provided manageable returns in 2025, our grain commodities did not. Unfortunately, milk has been moving downward the past several months and the cost of replacements for both dairy and beef is challenging. Farmers and agricultural professionals are going to need all the tools and resources available in 2026 to evaluate what adjustments can further be made to address already existing tight profit margins this upcoming growing season.
Chris Bandura, Conservation Cropping Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension will share results from the Northeast WI Leguminous Nitrogen (N) Berseem Clover Cover Crop Plot research project. Five sites, including two in Outagamie County (Dorow Farm and Van Wychen Farms), were planted with Berseem Clover as a cover crop following wheat in 2024. We planted corn in spring 2025 on those sites and harvested grain in the fall. Chris will share the results from all five of the sites and answer the question “How much N did we capture from those leguminous cover crops?”
Kelly Wilfert, J.D., Farm Law Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension, will discuss Evaluating Cropland Leasing Agreements. Kelly will begin by addressing the anatomy of an effective cropland lease agreement and identify some best management practices to consider. A discussion of potential blind spots and items that people miss, or forget to include, will also be shared. Additionally, there is still cropland being rented annually under verbal arrangements. Kelly will discuss what both parties involved need to be aware of under these circumstances. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn how to improve your current cropland lease agreements, and get your questions answered.
Kevin Jarek, Regional Crops & Soils Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension will share information from the 2025 cereal rye variety plots hosted at Sunny Daze Dairy. We will answer the question “How much does the cereal rye variety you plant in the fall impact your profitability in the spring?” Additionally, Kevin will also provide an update on the ongoing OFC research and demonstration projects as we head into the 2026 growing season.
As has been the case every year, we will recognize our Forage Council Youth Scholarship winner, this year’s PaceSetter Award recipient, and our Outstanding Member. We’ll also get an update from Chelsea Russell, Local Council Director, Midwest Forage Association (MFA), conduct our Annual Business Meeting, and conclude with the auction fundraiser that helps support the numerous on-farm activities and educational outreach programs the Outagamie Forage Council conducts to help the farmers and agricultural professionals we serve.
Continuing Education Credits will be available for CCA’s
All of us know more than some of us… plan to attend now! Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Buzz’s Pub/Grill in Freedom!
