Extension activities: Provide educational programming for fresh market and processing vegetables and potatoes, berries and fruit, landscape and ornamentals, and organic production.

Mark Renz
Professor
(608) 263-7437
mrenz@wisc.edu
357 Moore Hall

Research activities: Weed management in alfalfa and pastures: My program evaluates the effectiveness of current and new technology in managing weeds that aid in establishment and productivity of forages as well as impacts of utilizing this technology. Currently I am involved in these research projects:

1. Effectiveness of Mob grazing in controlling Canada thistle in Rotationally Grazed Pastures
2. Costs and benefits of Roundup Ready alfalfa establishment
3. Weed-free period to maximize switchgrass establishment and productivity
4. Effects of annual grass density of switchgrass establishment and productivity

Invasive plants in natural areas: My program also develops control methods for invasive plants in natural areas and assists in development of early detection and rapid response networks in the Great Lakes region. Currently I am involved in these research projects:

1. Development of the Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN)
2. Use of habitat suitability maps to improve detection of invasive plants
3. Effectiveness of revegetation methods on reductions of invasive plant cover and spread on roadsides in Wisconsin
4. Effectiveness of composting in eliminating viability of garlic mustard and buckthorn

Classes Taught

Weed Identification and Management (CALS Farm and Industry Short-course). Theory and application of weed management methods as well as introduction to common weed species found in common agronomic crops in Wisconsin.

Dave Stoltenberg
Professor
(608) 262-8202
destolte@wisc.edu
363 Moore Hall

Research Activities: My research program encompasses several aspects of weed ecology and management. One of my goals is to improve our understanding of the long-term effects of cropping system factors on weed community dynamics. I’m interested particularly in the effects of cropping sequence, tillage, and weed management tactics on weed community composition in both plant and seedbank communities. Current research is investigating the long-term effects of cropping system diversity and perenniality on weed community dynamics and suppression in the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial. My research program also addresses the occurrence, persistence, and spread of herbicide-resistant weeds in Wisconsin. Current research focuses on evolved resistance of giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) to glyphosate and cloransulam-methyl herbicides in Wisconsin.

Teaching: My teaching program centers on Agronomy 300 Cropping Systems which is an intermediate-level, 3-credit course intended for students interested in crop production systems, the environmental impacts of crop production, agroecology, and sustainable agriculture. Topics include agricultural intensification, agroecosystem structure and function, aspects of technology adoption, soil erosion and conservation, tillage systems, weed ecology and management, nutrient dynamics and management, water quality, crop rotation, and cropping system diversification. An agroecological approach, the application of ecological concepts and principles for the improvement of cropping systems, is emphasized.