Wisconsin Farm Tech Days will feature six tours of different local farms and ag-related organizations. This will give you a real taste of the wide range of agriculture and related businesses in Sauk County. The tours are all ticketed at no cost for attendees and must be reserved ahead of time at www.wifarmtechdays.org.
The show, July 18-20, will be on the grounds of the Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club in Baraboo. Admission is $10 cash/$12 credit; children 12 and under are free.
“Since Farm Tech Days is on an ag-related organization’s grounds this year, we put together six different tours for the attendees,” says Arnie Jennerman, general manager of Farm Tech Days. “These farms and agribusinesses truly represent the diversity of agriculture in the Baraboo area.”
There will be two tours daily. Space is limited. Attendees can sign up for two tickets for one tour only and must be at least 13 years of age. Attendees must sign up before the show on the website.
Tuesday, July 18
Narrows Dairy Farm
Narrows Dairy Farm is a family-run farm that sits in the gorgeous rolling hills of Rock Springs, and has been operating with robotic milking for nearly 15 years. Today, the farm uses two Lely Astronaut A5 milking units to milk their herd of cows. They have also experimented with cover crops, inter-seeding, composting, and rotational grazing of their cows. Tour attendees can expect to enjoy breathtaking views, follow the steps of a cow’s life, and learn about new technology in the dairy industry.
Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area, Badger History Museum, and Ho-Chunk Lands
The Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area is located on the southern border of Devil’s Lake State Park and includes a significant portion of the decommissioned Badger Army Ammunition Plant. This tour will feature a piece of history along with ongoing efforts to restore the land and protect wildlife by the Ho-Chunk Nation and the Wisconsin DNR.
Wednesday, July 19
Laukant Farms
Laukant Farms is an expansive, rotationally grazed farm. In total, the farm utilizes over 500 acres of land to raise Red Angus cattle. They focus on custom grazing. The farm puts heavy emphasis on regenerative agriculture to ensure the land continues to flourish and sustain cattle for future generations. During the show, Laukant Farms plans to showcase its new company, Serrated Shade, which produces cattle shade structures.
Bula’s Pleasant Valley Farm
Bula’s Pleasant Valley Farm is a family-owned, regenerative farm situated amongst the Baraboo Bluffs. They’ve raised grass-finished beef and lamb, pasture-raised (supplemented with grain) laying hens, broiler chickens, and pigs. At Bula’s, they also grow a wide variety of organic produce and market maple syrup and honey produced on their farm. Visit their on-farm store or come see them at the Baraboo Farmers Market. They look forward to supplying families with farm-fresh, nutrient-dense foods.
Thursday, July 20
McFarlane Manufacturing
The McFarlane Family has served the Sauk County community for over 100 years. As a pioneer in the agricultural business, McFarlane Manufacturing continues to invent and evolve to produce new tools for farmers to utilize to create the best seedbeds. They look forward to welcoming attendees to their operation and sharing how they are involved in the agriculture community.
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center
Operated as a joint effort with the UW-Madison Agricultural Research Stations, the U.S Dairy Forage Research Center Farm is located 30 miles northwest of Madison, and borders the Wisconsin River near Prairie du Sac. Much of the research happening at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center is designed to help improve the economic and environmental sustainability of dairy forage farm systems.
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