Discovery Farms > Completed Projects

Heisner Family Dairy

Discovery Farm since:
2002

Family:
Jim and Jane Heisner, along with their sons and families

Location:
Mineral Point, Iowa County, WI

Enterprises:
Certified organic dairy/milk
Certified organic cropland to support dairy

Research Opportunities:
This farm was chosen to represent medium sized organic dairy operations that have associated cropland devoted to corn grain, corn silage, small grain and new seeding alfalfa/grass hay.

To discover the reasons for or lack there of nonpoint source pollution on a farm located in the southern end of Wisconsin's driftless region.

Surface water monitoring site designed to study nutrient and soil sediment loss due to runoff from organic (dairy based) crop production, with and without livestock manure. These losses can lead to reduced soil fertility for the farmer.

In-stream water monitoring site designed to study the influence of managed instensive grazing (MIG) on stream water quality where cattle have limited access, and to study the potential influence of a milking and housing facility on the water quality of a stream.

Slideshow of Heisner Family Dairy Pictures

Related Materials

12 Documents


Heisner Family Dairy Project Summary: Understanding Nutrient and Sediment Loss File (16 pages) This summary includes information from all factsheets. The document includes sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen losses from surface water and stream flow from a grazing dairy operation in Southwestern Wisconsin.
HFD 1. Farm, Site and Study Design Brief (2 pages) Presentation (3 pages) Factsheet (4 pages) Read about the farming system in place at Heisner Family Dairy, and find out about the monitoring study design used in this farm's participation in the UW-Discovery Farms Program.
HFD 2. Equipment, Procedures, and Sampling Brief (2 pages) Presentation (3 pages) Factsheet (6 pages) Specific information on the monitoring system and equipment that was in place at Heisner Family Dairy.
HFD 3. Water Budget and Edge-of-Field Runoff at Heisner Family Dairy Brief (2 pages) Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (4 pages) Learn about the precipitation and edge of field runoff results from the three year study at Heisner Family Dairy
HFD 4. Understanding Water Loss and Stream Flow at Heisner Family Dairy Brief (2 pages) Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (6 pages) Detailed information on precipitation, stream flow characteristics, and flow volume from the in-stream monitoring sites.
HFD 5. Understanding Sediment Loss at Heisner Family Dairy Brief (2 pages) Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (6 pages) The amount of sediment contained in runoff from the edge of field site and flow through the stream sites is quantified. Seasonal differences in sediment yields are outlined.
HFD 6.Understanding Phosphorus Loss at Heisner Family Dairy Brief (2 pages) Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (6 pages) Phosphorus loss from edge of field and in stream sites is featured. Differences in yield, seasonality, and speciation are highlighted.
HFD 7. Understanding Nitrogen Loss at Heisner Family Dairy Brief (2 pages) Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (6 pages) Nitrogen loss from an edge of field site and two stream sites is presented.
HFD 8. Single storm event loss comparison to total annual sediment and nutrient loss Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (2 pages) Many times the majority of sediment and nutrient loss from cropland can occur in one or two runoff events a year. Information on single storm losses monitored at Heisner Family Dairy are detailed.
HFD 9. Delayed flow observations in stream discharge at Heisner Family Dairy Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (2 pages) Observations from in-stream monitoring showed delayed response in the stream to precipitation events. Learn about the factors that make the area prone to perched groundwater systems and delayed flow events.
HFD10. Trained Local Sampler: Stream Water Sampling Brief (2 pages) Presentation (3 pages) Factsheet (4 pages) Results from volunteer water monitoring conducted along the stream corridor at Heisner Family Dairy.
HFD11. Impact of study on ag management at HFD, public perception, and future research site criteria Brief (2 pages) Presentation (2 pages) Factsheet (4 pages) Information on major lessons learned, and thoughts on the impact of the study at Heisner Family Dairy on public perception and future research.