By Maria Woldt
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In the world of agricultural equipment, most people know Kevin Shinners. He’s been a professor of biological systems engineering at UW-Madison since 1985. 

During that time, he’s done all the things that equal a successful career in academia, like mentor 53 graduate students, brought in $7.2 million in research funding, publications, book chapters etc. But it’s his passion for farmers and students that have always stood out. 

By Raymond Liska
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What happens behind the scenes of a custom farming operation is something that often goes unseen to many who pass through the countryside. 

As the season’s end draws nearer, the charismatic rhythm of choppers and combines in the field, along with the steady flow of trucks and tractors on the road and the miles of hose laying in the ditch will be cleaned, repaired, rolled up, and stored away. While the keys on our machines may be turned off, our minds are not. 

By Dr. John Goeser, PAS, Dipl. ACAN, Rock River Laboratory, Inc., UW-Madison, animal and dairy sciences

There were two common themes to 2021 in growing corn for silage: continued variation in growing conditions and plenty of heat units. 

And over the last few years, variation seems to be the only consistent factor. In 2018 and 2019, wet spring or wet fall contributed toward more variation. Now with the 2021 growing season in the books for silage, the crop looks to be yielding variable outcomes, depending on your local growing conditions. 

The fall issue of the Custom News is here!

In this issue:

• Feature: Kevin Shinners: "the students made it fun"
• Policy corner
• Feature: Corn silage harvest a mixed bag
• WCO news and board nominations

The summer issue of the Custom News is here!

In this issue:

• Feature: Truck, trailer safety
• Policy corner
• Feature: Welcome back Forage Symposium
• WCO additional scholarship and mini-grant winner