Pasture and Forage Minute

Fresh spring growth is a welcome site for producers looking for animal forage. However, lush spring growth may be the perfect condition for a case of grass tetany. While turn out may be a ways off, mitigating this risk starts now. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

After a long winter of feeding hay, livestock producers are anxious for spring and the start of grass growth in their pastures. Last year’s drought conditions across the state left most pastures heavily used and short. Now is the time to have a plan in place for you spring and summer grazing. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

The time for spring planting alfalfa is just around the corner and two traits often confused, are fall dormancy and winter survival. In the past, fall dormancy traits were linked with winter survival. With new varieties, this isn’t always the case, so fall dormancy needs to be evaluated on its own. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

There are many producers looking at ways to grow more forage for hay or pasture. Double cropping annual forages can be an option. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist.

Fertilizing cool season grass is something many producers do each year while accounting for forage needs, moisture, the value of the forage, and fertilizer costs. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

The time for spring planting alfalfa is just around the corner, and selecting the right seed is crucial. Two traits we should take extra time to consider are fall dormancy and winter survival. These traits are often treated the same, but are different. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Spring is a critical time to control weeds in alfalfa. For Round-up Ready or Tolerant varieties, glyphosate applications sprayed in early Spring can assist alfalfa in effectively overcoming emerging weed; but Roundup isn’t the only good weed control option. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

Inter-seeding cool-season perennial grasses into older alfalfa stands has been a good option to increase the productivity of that field. If planning a new alfalfa seeding this year, using a grass and alfalfa mixture can also have some advantages. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Alfalfa can be successfully seeded in the spring or fall depending on field weed populations, moisture conditions, and timing. Based on higher snowfall, our 2023 spring may be a very successful time to establish new alfalfa stands. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Crops and Forage Educator.

Are you looking to increase production from pastures or hay fields? Interseeding legumes might just work in your operation. Brad Schick, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.