Pasture and Forage Minute

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. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Wheat harvest will be coming up soon and that leads us to think about some forage opportunities after harvest is complete. There is plenty of growing season left this year and there are several forage possibilities; especially in a year where pasture or hay is short in some areas. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Summer annuals such as pearl millet, forage sorghum, sorghum-sudans, corn and brown midrib forages can response well to fertilizer applications after their first cutting harvest. However, if moisture is a limiting factor, then fertilizer applications likely should be split and/or significantly reduced. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Irrigation and Cropping Systems Forage Educator.

Have you noticed tall weeds with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in pastures, ditch banks, and along roadsides? It may be poison hemlock, a plant highly toxic to people and livestock. 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.

Summer annual grasses can sneak into alfalfa fields fast by mid-summer—and once they’re up, pre-emergent options are off the table. What are the options? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Is your pasture paying its way? This is a question I have heard lately with regards to changing input costs. Before your cattle hit the field, here's a quick way to check if your pasture covers its costs. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Rained-on hay plagues all of us eventually. The 'windrow disease' that often follows presents lingering problems. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Since the first cutting of alfalfa has been completed in much of the state, Nebraska producers may be tempted to believe our troubles with alfalfa weevil are over. Unfortunately, this may not be the case. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

What does it cost to rent pasture this year? 2026 results are out for Nebraska cash rental rates. According to the latest survey, average monthly rates for grazing pasture have increased between two and eight percent compared to the previous grazing season. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.