News and Events

By John Osterhaus

I hope everyone had a safe and bountiful harvest season. As we wrap up another busy fall, it’s encouraging to see that, for the most part, the weather was on our side. Harvesting was completed on time across the region, and the results of a productive growing season are now in storage or on their way to market. While the combines and choppers may be parked, our colleagues on the manure hauling side are still hard at work, nourishing next year’s crop and helping ensure another successful season ahead.

As we shift from the rush of harvest to the planning season, WCO is busy preparing for one of our biggest annual events—the Forage Symposium, scheduled for February 16–18 in Wisconsin Dells. We are developing a program that will both educate and inspire. Speakers will entertain, share timely insights, and offer practical takeaways you can bring home to your own business.

This year marks an exciting milestone as it’s the first Forage Symposium since WCO and the Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin (PNAAW) formally affiliated. With this change, WCO will now coordinate the manure track sessions for the symposium. Our goal is to add even more value to that portion of the program—not only through
high-quality manure management topics, but also by including regulatory content that benefits all members. We’re confident this collaboration will make the symposium even stronger and more relevant to everyone in our industry.

While planning for the Forage Symposium is well underway, our team is also preparing for the 2026 WCO Safety Training and Certification Session, scheduled for Thursday, April 9 at the UW Agricultural Research Station. This one-day event will include a mix of classroom-style sessions, hands-on equipment walk-arounds, and peer-to-peer discussions designed to strengthen safety awareness and reinforce best practices. The agenda will feature a few new sessions that we have not previously covered like how to make effective 911 calls and how to build a reliable first-aid kit. 

Registration is open, and we’re grateful to see strong sponsor involvement already. This event is one of the best opportunities to bring your whole crew together for safety training before the busy season begins.

As we move into the holiday season, I want to extend my thanks to all our members, partners, and sponsors for your ongoing involvement and support. Your participation makes WCO stronger and helps us continue to deliver value to members and the industry. I wish you and your families a safe, healthy, and enjoyable holiday season.

 – John