Wisconsin’s grain harvest was in fast forward this year, says Extension Specialist Chris Clark of Northeast Wisconsin. She explains that in a “normal” year, farmers would just be starting corn for grain harvest. The overall dry conditions have also allowed for more manure application.
Clark says the expanded timeframe this fall for nutrient application is beneficial, especially because the wet weather hindered manure spreading this spring. As you’re clearing out your manure pits, Extension has a tool to make complying with nutrient management plans easier.
The Manure Tracker app allows you to count and record manure applications on a field-by-field basis. Clark says this free smartphone app can help custom operators, farmers, and nutrient management plan writers.
She explains that when the UW Dairy Innovation Hub got feedback on how cumbersome nutrient management plan maps were, it funded a project to create this simple smartphone app. The Manure Tracker app tracks real-time data as farmers are in the field spreading manure. It’ll even flash red or vibrate to let the farmer know where they can’t spread.
“A lot of farmers have been able to work with their counties in some regions, and they have an enhancement where they can help some farmers purchase a standalone tablet to take in their tractors,” she says.
The app also allows a farmer to send data to their email for further record management and safekeeping. Learn more: https://ipcm.wisc.edu/apps/tracker/
