Allowing for alfalfa to winterize before dormancy is a key factor preventing winter kill across a stand. Traditionally, my recommendation has been to time the last cutting for roughly 6 weeks before the first frost. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Do you know the quality of the hay that you harvested this past season? It is important to know how much protein and energy your cows will get when you start feeding, or how much supplement to feed. This may be especially important if your hay crop was affected by rain, drought or significant delays in harvest. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Irrigating alfalfa now through November until the soil freezes can protect plants and improve fall yields. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

Timing the last fall alfalfa cutting can be a difficult thing to plan for and varies among growers. A balance between stand health, yield and quality must be maintained. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As areas of the state begin to dry or continue to suffer from drought conditions, grasshoppers will move into crops from field edges. Alfalfa and grasses seeded late this summer can be especially susceptible to grasshopper feeding damage. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Alfalfa can be successfully seeded in the Fall or Spring depending on moisture conditions, weed populations, and timing. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

Are you thinking about seeding a winter annual cereal grain to have some forage next spring? The possible choices are wheat, rye, or triticale; but which of these small grains should you seed this fall? Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

High value silage depends on maintaining chop quality throughout harvest. Do you know how to reliably monitor your silage quality? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Silage is a cornerstone feed for Nebraska livestock producers, and its price is a critical factor in operation profitability. Determining a fair market value for silage involves several considerations. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Following corn silage harvest, your ground can lay bare for seven to nine months. Instead, let’s plant some crops to grow and cover it until next season. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.