Marshfield Agricultural Research Station

10/08/2026

A huge thank you to NextGen Agronomy LLC for helping us get the Rain360 dialed in. And thanks for capturing this great shot of it applying manure. We appreciate the help and support every step of the way!

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

MARS was a stop on the Wisconsin State FFA Officer Team 2026 Fall Business & Industry Tour. During their visit, we shared the work done at the station and discussed how UW agricultural research is helping uncover solutions that improve productivity, sustainability, and profitability across the agricultural sector.

It was especially great to welcome back Jordan Berg, a UW-Madison student and former MARS student intern. Jordan currently serves as Wisconsin FFA State Reporter, representing the Granton FFA Chapter in Section 7. Jordan returned alongside an outstanding group of student leaders and their advisor, Cheryl Zimmerman.

09/21/2026

Silage season is here! Tomorrow, on Professional Dairy Producers - PDP Dairy Signal, Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Professor & Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist at UW-Madison, will talk about the details that can make a big difference in feed quality and storage success. Join the conversation tomorrow at

The Dairy Signal | PDP

09/18/2026

GrassWorks, Inc., UW Extension, NRCS, and MARS held the Wisconsin Schools of Grazing event this week at MARS! We were fortunate to have outstanding speakers, engaging discussions, and good participation from attendees. The weather cooperated as well, making for a great two days of learning and networking.

09/15/2026

MARS employee Mike Stockheimer was recently featured in a Hub City Times Media story highlighting his service in the United States Army.

Mike is a valued member of the MARS field crew and serves as a field technician for two Ag Water Quality/Discovery Farms - Extension runoff monitoring sites in Marathon County. Mike is a great example of hard work and dedication.

Fresh out of high school and raised on a Stratford dairy farm, 18-year-old Mike Stockheimer joined the U.S. Army in 1974 expecting a brief three-year chapter—unaware it would spark a lifelong story of brotherhood and service. 🎖️🚜

Read the full story of how "Mouse" found his voice and built a legacy with the Hodag Platoon on our website: https://www.hubcitytimes.com/stories/home-front-mike-stockheimer,353658

09/10/2026

Where there are livestock, there will be deadstock. While farmers and livestock producers work hard to provide excellent care for their animals, mortalities happen. Composting can be an effective, economical, and environmentally responsible option for on-farm disposal.

Join UW Extension’s Heather Schlesser on October 22 at MARS for a workshop on livestock composting. Learn how to efficiently compost deceased livestock, understand best management practices, and get your questions answered.

https://extension.wisc.edu/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D205992989

09/09/2026

Have you ever noticed the head markings on Holsteins? They seem to fit standard patterns. Poll to nose stripes, forehead triangles or splotches, and the occasional solid-colored face.

Just walking around the farm, we've noticed something else. A couple of cattle seem to be sporting a natural number 7 on their foreheads. We've noticed this for a while in MARS cattle (many now in the Arlington Blaine herd) with a distinct #7 marking.

Coincidence? Maybe. But one thing is certain: we haven't found any 6s yet😂.

09/04/2026

Research that makes a difference starts with collaboration. New findings, pulled together by specialists in the National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) and UW Extension show that aging farmers face a higher risk of fatal tractor-related injuries due to age-related changes. NFMC emphasized the importance of driving with caution when sharing the road with farm equipment. MARS served as the backdrop for this local story, helping highlight these important safety messages.

Thirty people died on Wisconsin farms in 2023. That's one more death than 2022 had.

08/25/2026

Still sitting on the fence about attending the 2026 Grazing School at MARS?

The grass really is greener when you're learning from the best. Join us September 16-17 for practical, hands-on grazing education to improve livestock performance and get the most from your pasture acres.

Don't let this opportunity past-ure by. The registration deadline is September 4!

Register today at https://grassworks.org/programs/wisconsin-schools-of-grazing/