Pasture and Forage Minute

Is your alfalfa field set up for success this season—or are there early spring clues you shouldn’t ignore? Ben Beckman - Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Fertilizing cool-season grass pastures or hayfields is something producers do each year while accounting for forage needs, the value of the forage, and fertilizer costs. With high fertilizer costs this year, many producers are reconsidering this practice or reducing the amount that is applied. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Fresh spring growth is a welcome sight 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.

Spring is a time when we might be considering seeding some grass for pasture, hay or just to establish permanent plant cover for wildlife habitat. In some cases, this may involve attempting to improve or renovate an existing stand or establishing grass on former cropland or a disturbed site. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Wheat, triticale, and rye can all be used as dual-purpose crops for both forage and grain. But after the historic Nebraska rangeland wildfires this year, many producers are looking at them strictly as forage options. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

In Nebraska, alfalfa weevil scouting is generally recommended once 200 growing degree days have accumulated. Due to the warm temperatures we have been experiencing across the state, degree day accumulations have already reached over 300 in the east and over 600 in the southwest. These conditions mean scouting for alfalfa weevil is more important than ever. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

I’ve had several producers ask what to do when talking about drought conditions. While watching trigger dates and rainfall is important, it’s just as critical to plan ahead for potential forage shortfalls. A forage budget helps match what your pasture can produce with what your livestock need to consume think of it like balancing a checkbook, but with grass. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Last fall, some pastures across Nebraska were hit hard by armyworms. This spring, those acres may be noticeably slower to green up and recover. If that is the case on your operation, the biggest thing right now is patience. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As temperatures begin to rise, don’t’ forget to take a bit of time to assess alfalfa stand health going into this year’s growing season. Snow cover over the winter helped insulate plants from extreme temperatures, but exposed plants, older stands, or late harvested alfalfa still have a potential for winter kill. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Whether it is the possibility of drought or loss of pasture because of wildfire, some producers are considering using irrigated annual forages to bolster their grazing or hay supplies. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.