Pasture and Forage Minute

In forage, there have been reports of black grass bugs causing damage. Feeding damage from this insect can reduce forage production, so scouting for early detection can help reduce future wide-spread damage. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Alfalfa is a tough, drought-tolerant perennial crop with rooting depths down eight feet or more. Depending on deep soil profile moisture during drought, some varieties can move into a dormancy and survive up to 45 days without rainfall. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

Since our 2023 accumulated growing degree days have pegged at 650 GDD's, now is the time to harvest your first cutting alfalfa. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

As we approach the first cutting for alfalfa across the state of Nebraska, it is important to continue to monitor your fields for alfalfa weevil. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

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.

Fencing costs are one of the more expensive aspects of grazing livestock. There are many factors that impact fencing costs including: materials, the shape of the paddock or field, and labor required. UNL is gathering data to help calculate costs for fencing and other livestock services. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension 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? Ideally, cutting your grass hay so the grass nutrient content matches with the nutritional needs of your livestock is best. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Despite a cool start to the season, 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.

Poison hemlock and its cousin, Water hemlock, are on the list of top ten poisonous Nebraska plants. A species that has really seemed to take over in wet or moist soils across the eastern portion of the state, hemlock can cause serious issues if ingested, by either livestock or humans. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Cereal grains like wheat are grown for dual purpose (forage and grain) production in the central plains and southern plains states. To prevent grazing animals from eating immature wheat heads, livestock are generally removed from the fields just prior to the jointing growth stage when immature wheat heads move up the stems. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.