Wisconsin Buffer Initiative 2

Special Project since:
Wisconsin Buffer Initiative 2003- 2005

Family:
Jeff and Jean Opitz

Location:
2324 Shady Lane Road, Saukville, WI 53080 (Ozaukee County)

Enterprises:
Dairy Confinement

Research and advisory team:
The research and advisory team for this project is included in the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative Report available at http://bombadil.lic.wisc.edu/WBI/index.htm.

Research opportunities:
The Opitz Farm was selected to participate in the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative because of its location in Southeastern Wisconsin on soils with high rates of runoff and known to have tile drainage systems installed. This farm offered tremendous opportunities to study the benefits of installing a buffer prior to water entering an area of concentrated flow.

Conservation practices:
This farm has implemented a number of effective conservation practices including grass waterways, nutrient management planning, conservation tillage and setbacks from water bodies.

Monitoring in place:
WBI Stations
The Opitz farm cooperated in the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative study under the guidance of Dr. John Norman. This study used a lower cost monitoring system including the installation of a Coshocton Wheel Water Sampler which serves to split down the flow of water into a manageable amount.