Pasture and Forage Minute

First cutting alfalfa harvest usually begins when accumulated growing degree days reach between 700 to 750 GDD’s. For central Nebraska, our Useful to Useable crop development model predicts that alfalfa fields will peg harvest stages between May 27 to May 30. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

It’s that time of year when the preliminary results for Nebraska Ag land and rental rates comes out. On average in 2024, the market value for all agricultural land in Nebraska was $4,015 per acre this is a 5% increase from the previous year. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

It is close to the ideal time to plant a summer annual grass, maybe to replenish your hay supply or have some extra grazing. Which one will you plant? Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Native Nebraska pasture plants such as Tall, Platte (prairie), Flodman, Yellowspine, and Wavyleaf (gray) Thistles can be beneficial for butterflies and provide seeds for songbirds. However, many ‘nonnative’ Thistle species are ‘Noxious Weeds’ that must be controlled depending on your Nebraska county. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

As warm weather across Nebraska continues, it is important to keep an eye on alfalfa fields for signs of Army Cutworm. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Does it pay to fertilize cool season pastures? That is a question that has been recently asked. The answer is it depends. Depending on the cool season mixture, things like bromegrass, or western wheatgrass may all have somewhat different responses to fertilizer. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

The time for turn out to our primary summer pastures is coming soon. A couple of important questions are what date to turn out, and which pastures should be first? Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

With the arrival of spring comes the impending return of insects, including pest species like the alfalfa weevil. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Spring flash grazing in pastures can be a way to capitalize on some of the early weeds that may be growing. For those areas in eastern Nebraska that had drought conditions in 2023, it is likely that many pastures will have more spring and summer weeds than usual this year. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Alfalfa is a tough perennial with established rooting depths down eight feet or more. Depending on deep soil profile moisture, some varieties can extend Spring dormancy and survive up to 45 days without rainfall. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.