TAUGHT EXCLUSIVELY IN SPANISH: 3 ONE-DAY DAIRY OBSTETRICS WORKSHOPS are slated for August. Each workshop will cover the birthing process for the safe delivery of a healthy calf, with workers receiving hands-on time in the maternity pen coached by Oscar Duarte, DVM. Attendees will also learn how to handle the challenges posed by compromised cows in a session led by Bob Leder, DVM. In addition, farm safety information will be shared by Yuarny Ninco Sanchez, National Farm Medicine Center's community outreach trainer. This workshop, delivered by bilingual trainers, is ideal for every person on your O.B. team and those you want to prepare to join this important team. Workshop dates are:

• Tuesday, Aug. 19, Emerald Dairy, Emerald, Wis.; 
• Wednesday, Aug. 20, Central Sands Dairy, Nekoosa, Wis.; 
• Thursday, Aug. 21, Rosendale Dairy, Pickett, Wis.

TAKE YOUR SPANISH-SPEAKING CALF CARE HANDLERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL by enrolling them in one of three one-day Calf Care workshops. Each workshop will cover the critical first two weeks of a calf's life, with sessions delivered by three bilingual trainers. The workshop dates are: 

• Tuesday, Aug. 26, Norm-E-Lane, Chili, Wis.; 
• Wednesday, Aug. 27, Sunburst Dairy, Belleville, Wis.;
• Thursday, Aug. 28, Sunset Farms, Allenton, Wis. 

CALLING ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, conservation officials, dairy farmers, neighbors of dairy farmers and citizens interested in keeping Wisconsin communities vibrant and green: Participate in one of four ACE On-the Farm Twilight meetings sponsored jointly by the Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association and Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. ACE stands for Agricultural Community Engagement, and that's exactly what we'll do at these meetings -- engage in quality discussions about modern agriculture in today's communities. Bring a non-farm friend or an elected official from your community. The meetings are FREE, starting at 6 p.m. and concluding at 8:30 p.m. Each meeting includes a tour of the host dairy followed by a facilitated discussion focused on how farming, the dairy industry and communities can work together to grow stronger and better together. Take your pick of four locations across the state: 

• Monday, Aug. 18, Wagner Farms, Hank & Pam Wagner Family, Oconto Falls, Wis.
• Tuesday, Aug. 26, Norm-E-Lane, Meissner Families, Chili, Wis.
• Wednesday, Aug. 27, Sunburst Dairy, Brian & Yogi Brown Family, Belleville, Wis.;
• Thursday, Aug. 28, Sunset Farms Inc., Wolf Family, Allenton, Wis.

To reserve a space at any of the five ACE On-the-Farm Twilight meetings, please contact the Wisconsin Towns Association at 715-526-3157 or email them at [email protected]. Walk-ins are welcome. Click here for a flyer.

MANAGEMENT DECISIONS TO GET THE BEST 2015 FIRST-CUT HAY OR HAYLAGE CROP start now. "All of the decisions that we make between now and the fall can have an impact, either positive or negative, on how well our alfalfa fields over winter and, subsequently, how they perform next spring," notes Robert Larmer, livestock information manager, DuPont Pioneer. Two practices that can make a positive impact include: 

1. If your operation is short on acres and needs to increase forage yields from alfalfa, choose a three-cut rather than a four-cut system. The key to a high-yielding first cut next year is to ensure your alfalfa has adequate root reserves to survive winter and maintain the high-root energy levels needed for vigorous growth next spring. The lack of root reserves will cause spring growth to be significantly slower or, in some cases, even non-existent.  Many areas benefit from having a "no-cut window" from the first week of September until a killing frost. 
2. If you apply manure after cutting, then be on and off the field within four days of cutting. If you can't make this window, don't apply manure because the crowns start to grow and you can damage them if you're outside the four days. Also know that, while manure is helpful, it cannot provide everything alfalfa plants need to thrive.