Follow these links for rural energy issues that do not fit into our other major categories.

• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Rural Electric Power Services Program.  Assistance for Wisconsin farmers on energy management, farm rewiring, stray voltage and energy services.

• RETScreen, a Clean Energy Management Software system for energy efficiency, renewable energy and cogeneration project feasibility analysis as well as ongoing energy performance analysis.There are two separate programs within RETScreen. RETScreen 4 is an Excel-based clean energy project analysis software tool that helps decision makers quickly and inexpensively determine the technical and financial viability of potential renewable energy, energy efficiency and cogeneration projects. RETScreen Plus is a Windows-based energy management software tool that allows project owners to easily verify the ongoing energy performance of their facilities.

MREC Conference Presentations on Other Rural Energy Issues (Cow Comfort, Farm Economics, Current Issues)

Presentations on Cow Comfort

• Managing a Large-Scale Robotic Dairy, Kevin Solum, Minglewood Inc. (2020)
• Overview of Robotic Milking Technology and Adoption, Doug Reinemann, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018)
• Robotic Milking Do’s and Don’ts, Dan Schultz, Farmer, Taylor, WI (2015)
• Overview of Precision Dairy Technologies such as Automated Milking and Calf Feeding, Marcia Endress, University of Minnesota (2015)
• Maximizing Cow Comfort for Maximum Production – Roger Mellenberger, Michigan State University (2014)
• Planning New Dairy Facilities: Building for Cow Comfort, Becky Brotzman, UW Madison Vet School Dairyland Initiative (2013)

Presentations on Farm Economics

• Impact of Trade Agreements on Farmers 2020, David Miller, Decision Innovation Services (2020)
• Policy Impacts on the Dairy Industry, John Holevoet, Dairy Business Association (2017)
• Agricultural Financial Market Update, Bob Meyer, Citizens State Bank of Loyal (2017)
• The Midwest Role in World Dairy Trade, Mark Stephenson, University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Dairy Profitability (2016)
• Economics of Corn, Beef, Feed, and How it Relates to Energy Issues, Jim Salfer, University of Minnesota Extension (2015)
• Dairy Farm Economics– Gary Sipiorski, Vita Plus Corp (2014)
• Dairy Farm Business Success in Turbulent Times, Robert Milligan, Dairy Strategies LLC (2013)

Presentations on Current Farm Issues

• Dangers in the Air on Farms: Manure Gas, Silo Gas, Etc. John Shutske, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018)
• Workplace Safety: Preparing for Hostile Events Stefan Salmonson, PROtective Services (2018)
  • Handout on Effective Preparation for Hostile Events
  • Handout on Additional Resources to help Prepare for Hostile Events
• Biosecurity: Understanding its Importance when Working on Livestock Farms, Kevin Janni and Abby Neu (2018)
• Community Energy Storage and e- Vehicle Charging, Jeff Springer, Dairyland Power (2017)
• Data from Cow Activity Monitors, John McBride, VES Environmental Solutions (2018)
• Genomics in Farm Management: How is it Changing the Dairy Industry? Eric Olstad, Zoetis (2017)
• Update on Livestock Diseases: Avian Flu and More, Darlene Konkle, WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (2016)
• Update on Nuclear Energy and the Clean Power Plan, Paul Wilson, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016)
• Affect of Fracking Sand Mines on Rural Power Delivery Systems– Larry Loverude , Xcel Energy (2014)
• Food vs. Fuel, Jack Buchanan, MREC Scholar, University of Wisconsin Madison (2012)

Older archived presentations

• Review of Public and Private Organizations and Program Working on Rural Energy Issues and Renewable Energy Development, Jeannette LeBoyer, UW-Madison (2007)