Grass Hay

Man, woman and child kneel in pasture — There are four key points to remember during the process of planning and planting perennial grasses: seed cost, seedbed, seeding depth and weed control.

Economic Considerations for Converting Cropland to Perennial Grazing Lands

May 23, 2024

Extension educators review the financial and operational considerations of converting cropland to grass pastures.

Silage pit on farm covered with tires — Once silage is exposed to oxygen, its quality can decrease quickly. For best results, don’t expose more than three days’ worth of a pile at a time.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Retaining Silage Quality During Feedout, Grasshopper Management

May 21, 2024

Tips on retaining silage condition during feedout, planning the optimal time for grass hay harvest, and controlling grasshopper in rangeland and forages.

Annual forage field — This webinar reviews the pros and cons of adding an annual forage into crop rotations, with insights from Mary Drewnoski, extension beef systems specialist, Jay Parsons, extension farm and ranch management specialist, and Daren Redfearn, extension crop residue specialist. (USDA NRCS photo)

Measuring Up: Annual Forage vs. Row Crop

May 10, 2024

This webinar highlights the economics and production benefits of incorporating annual forage systems into crop rotations for producers interested in diversifying their operation.

Grasshopper in meadow — Grasshoppers tend to thrive in dry, hot conditions while outbreaks can be severely limited by cool, wet spring weather, and as such, producers in eastern Nebraska might see an increase in outbreaks this summer, while western Nebraska grasshopper populations may be reduced.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grasshopper Control, Sub-irrigated Meadow Hay Harvest

July 7, 2023

Extension insights on grazing strategies to accommodate weather changes, grasshopper scouting and treatment recommendations, and tips for getting the most out of sub-irrigated meadow hay harvest in Nebraska.

Hay harvest — The best time to cut grass hay is when the grass nutrient content matches the nutritional needs of your livestock — before heads begin to emerge for young animals, and before seeds develop for mature animals.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Small Grains and Grass Harvest, Fencing Costs

May 23, 2023

This week — Nebraska Extension educators share target protein levels of small grains and grass hay for the upcoming harvest, and analyze the cost of various fencing options.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Cutting Hay, Controlling Bluegrass

June 28, 2022

Extension educators discuss some often overlooked factors for determining a grass hay cut date, and share recommendations on timing irrigation for more effective control of bluegrass in alfalfa.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Controlling Leafy Spurge, Timing Grass Hay Harvest

June 1, 2022

Extension educators share tips on determining water needs for cattle, options for controlling leafy spurge, and a grass hay harvest timeline.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Toxic Plants and Grass Hay Timing

June 23, 2021

This week, extension educators review some of the common toxic plants found in Nebraska pastures, what to do when cool-season grasses mature ahead of grazing rotations and how to determine the right time for your grass hay cutting.

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