Pasture and Forage Minute

Corn silage harvest success rests on proper harvest, packing, and storage practices. When we need a boost, adding an inoculant at harvest time can help improve fermentation and storage, but we need to know what products to use to get the best result. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Verbal leases are a common form of lease agreement. However, if someone is considering terminating a verbal lease, there are some dates and rules to remember for those with crops verses pasture verbal lease agreements. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Agricultural Economist.

When it gets hot, alfalfa plants grow more slowly and moisture stress becomes common, even in moist soil. Production of high-quality hay is nearly impossible due to the high temperatures, especially when the heat does not subside at night. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Keeping clean water in front of animals during the the summer is important. However, sunlight and warm temperatures can often lead to stock tanks overrun by algae. Let’s look at how we can address these issues. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Summer annual grasses can pose weed problems even in perennial systems like pasture or hay fields. Once foxtail, grassy sandbur or crabgrass are established, these annual grasses can be hard to control in later summer. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

Tall white flowers in your hay meadow may be pretty to look at, but beware—they could be water hemlock, one of the most toxic plants to livestock in Nebraska. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Summer hay harvest is in full swing. As you bring in your round bales for winter feeding, are you storing them in a way to minimize weather losses? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Do you have a thinning and low producing alfalfa stand; but are not quite ready to do a complete reseeding? These stands can be rejuvenated by interseeding grasses to increase hay production in subsequent years or to convert them to pasture. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Putting up good quality hay from summer annual grasses like sorghum-sudan hybrids, pearl millet, and forage sorghums can be tricky. Here are some tips to help make sure these hays are of good quality and dry, so it won’t heat or mold.

What does it cost to rent pasture this year? 2024 results are out for Nebraska cash rental rates. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.