Pasture and Forage Minute

It's time for the first cutting of alfalfa, and as you're out in the fields, it's a prime opportunity to spot any issues and plan corrective actions. But what should you be looking for? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As late spring and summer temperatures begin to heat up and cattle are on pasture, it’s important to make sure there is adequate water for livestock. How much do cattle need and where should it come from? Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Yellow-green patches in a pasture might look pretty for the uninitiated, but the tell-tale bloom of leafy spurge is not a spring sight many of us want to see. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Warm-season annuals or summer annual grasses such as sorghum, sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids grow best in Nebraska when soil temperatures are about 60°F, usually in late May to early June. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

Warm-season annuals or summer annual grasses such as sorghum, sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids grow best in Nebraska when soil temperatures are about 60°F, usually in late May to early June. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

The 2024 rangeland grasshopper risk map from the USDA indicates there may be increased grasshopper activity in central Nebraska and the panhandle. Keeping an eye on fields this summer can help mitigate economic loss from grasshopper feeding. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Loss at the feeding face can drastically affect silage quality, even if care was spent to put up and store a good product. As temperatures warm, let’s review best practices for managing silage feedout. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Smooth bromegrass and other cool-season grass hay fields are growing rapidly and seedheads will soon be appearing. When do you typically cut your grass hay? Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

As we work our way through spring, many small grains are maturing fast and nearing harvest windows. Are you ready to make the most out of these forage options? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Spring is busy getting crops in the ground, but if much needed moisture keeps you from the field, take some time to maintain your haying equipment and prevent costly downtime later. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.