Pasture and Forage Minute

We are in what is typically the hottest part of the summer and we need to consider how these temperatures affect our pasture and forage plants. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

After we clear the hurdle of harvesting CRP land for hay, the next question to arise is how to price the hay either for your own use or for sale. In this case knowing the quality of hay can help producers get a better idea of the forage market value. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Extension Ag Economist.

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. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Make plans now to attend the 2023 Nebraska Grazing Conference in Kearney a the Younes Convention center August 8th and 9th. Daren Redfearn, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Specialist.

When cattle are on pasture, both forage and water quality are important for healthy animals. Surface water is particularly prone to quality issues, such as blue-green algae, salinity, mineral concentrations, or nitrate. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Summer annual forages such as sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids and pearl millet planted this spring soon could be ready to graze. There are some grazing guidelines to help avoid potential hazards. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Timely curing alfalfa windrows can be a challenge with rain and adverse weather. Also, alfalfa stems dry slower than leaves; so higher nutritional value leaves sometimes dry and drop from the stems prior to baling. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

July traditionally means the beginning of the haying season for Sandhills subirrigated meadows. A key point related to the quality of meadow hay is harvest date. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Last year’s drought conditions and results from adult grasshopper surveys indicated the potential for grasshopper outbreaks this year, however, precipitation and temperature can impact the severity of outbreaks. Keeping an eye on fields this summer can help mitigate economic loss from grasshopper feeding. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Precipitation and temperature play major roles in pasture productivity, and knowing how to adjust grazing to match current conditions is key. Are you shifting your management to meet pasture conditions? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.