COLEMAN, Wis. — Livestock producers in far northeastern Wisconsin faced one of their roughest feed production years in 2019.

Most farms now are dealing with feed management issues that can include insufficient feed quantity, lower-than-normal feed quality, mycotoxin presence in stored feed and increased feed loss risk due to harvest conditions.

The University of Wisconsin Extension offices of Marinette and Oconto counties will sponsor a workshop to help livestock producers face these feed challenges and remain profitable from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Pound Town Hall, W8484 County Hwy. B in Coleman.

The program will start with a review by Jamie Van de Walle, independent nutritionist with Dairy Advantage LLC, on how to conduct a truly accurate inventory of on-farm feed resources available toward developing a feed management plan that maintains production. She also later will present proper, economically viable alternative feeds that can be purchased to best supplement on-farm feeds.

Kimberly Schmidt, UW-Madison Extension agriculture educator in Shawano County, will discuss mycotoxin testing, abatement and management. Although the worst mycotoxins can lead to acute animal health issues and even fatalities, most cause less-visible but potentially long-term issues.

The final topics for the day will be a review of dry hay storage methods and planning next year’s crops to best meet early feed needs. This discussion will be led by Scott Reuss, Extension crops/soils agent for Marinette and Oconto counties.

The program is free with no pre-registration required, but as lunch is being provided, pre-registration would be appreciated by calling the Marinette Extension office at 715-732-7510 or e-mailing to sreuss@marinettecounty.com.