Cattle grazing ryegrass
After intense drought conditions and heavily grazed pastures last year, producers may want to consider strategies like reducing stocking rates, delaying spring turnout and seeded annual forages in their forage plans for 2023.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Understanding TDN Values, Planning Summer Grazing

February 21, 2023
A review of the impact of TDN values in hay tests, and considerations for spring and summer forage plans following the severe drought conditions and heavy grazing experienced in 2022.

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Cattle eating hay
If your grass, alfalfa or cereal grain feed tests low in magnesium, switching to a high calcium or magnesium mineral will ensure better animal health and milk production.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Avoiding Tetany, Nitrate Issues, Calculating Pasture Rental Rates

February 7, 2023
Extension educators review the importance of testing winter hay and monitoring animals for tetany and nitrate poisoning, and factors to consider while calculating pasture lease rates.

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Hay
In a hay test, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) measure the sample’s fiber content, affecting digestibility and forage intake, which help predict animal performance.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Understanding ADF and NDF, Hay Quality After Calving

February 16, 2023
The series on hay test readings continues with a review of ADF and NDF; reviewing the importance of feeding high quality hay after calving is done.

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Eastern redcedar in grasslands
Eastern redcedar trees invade grasslands in the Loess Canyons region. (CropWatch file photo)

Funds Available to Help Restore and Protect Rangeland

January 31, 2023
Landowners interested in receiving funding to address the spread of invasive woody vegetation on rangeland should apply at their local NRCS field office by Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

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Cattle in snowstorm

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing with Snow Cover, Forage Inventory

January 31, 2023
Insights on the importance of snow cover for pastures and its impacts on livestock, and taking inventory of feed resources for the remainder of winter.

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Oat ryegrass mixture
A spring pasture mix of oats and ryegrass. (Photo by Jerry Volesky)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Planning Spring Annual Forages, More on Deciphering Hay Tests

January 31, 2023
Extension educators review considerations for spring annual forages in Nebraska, and analyze RFV and RFQ estimates in hay tests.

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Hay

Pasture and Forage Minute: Hay Protein and Energy Values, Reducing Hay Losses

January 19, 2023
Breaking down the importance of protein and energy values in hay tests, and tips on reducing fed hay losses.

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Cattle in snowy cornstalks

Pasture and Forage Minute: Mid-winter Cornstalk Grazing, Pasture Lease Drought Considerations

January 13, 2023
Extension educators discuss to how best graze cornstalks during the winter, and how to approach pasture leases when severe drought has affected forage production.

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