Different Farming Systems in Wisconsin

1
Different Farming Systemsin Wisconsin

• Dennis Frame
• UW Discovery Farms

2
Wisconsin

• We have a wide diversity in farms
• Dairy (cows, heifers)
• Beef (cow/calf, feeders)
• Poultry (turkeys, broilers, layers, ducks)
• Swine
• Horses, sheep, goats, mink, exotics
• Fish
• Grains (corn, beans, small grains)
• Specialty crops potatoes, ginseng, mushrooms,
  wild rice, snap beans, cranberries

3
Wisconsin

• In 2003 we had 76,500 farms
• 15.9 million acres used for agricultural purposes
  (9.2 million used for traditional crops)
• Average size is 204 acres

4
Wisconsin

• Agriculture is constantly changing
• Number of dairy farms is shrinking
• Number of cows per farm is increasing
• Number of specialty dairies increasing
• Lots of dairy farmers are retiring and shifting
  to cash crops (some beef)
• Swine decreased dramatically

5
Changes in Wisconsin Cow Deposition
6
Wisconsin Dairy Growth

• 1998
• 9th in 500 Cow Herds (60)
• 3rd in 200 Cow Herds (550)
• 10th in Cows in 500 Cow Herds
• 7th in Cows in 200 Cow Herds

• 2002
• 2nd in 500 Cow Herds (200)
• 2nd in 200 Cow Herds (900)
• 5th in Cows in 500 Cow Herds
• 3rd in Cows in 200 Cow Herds

1 Billion of New Investment
7
Farming Systems

• Farming systems are how producers manage their
  farms.
• Examples
• Confinement / grazing
• No till / minimum tillage / tillage
• Organic / traditional

8
Farming Systems

• Farmers believe in their farming system.
• All systems have strengths and weaknesses.
• Goal is to learn from each system and promote the
  strengths and educate producers about the
  weaknesses.