Ben Beckman - Extension Educator

Ben Beckman

faculty
Work
PO Box 368 101 E Centre Hartington NE 68739-0368
US
Work 402-254-6821
Download vCard for Ben Beckman QR Code vCard for Ben Beckman
Cattle drinking from pond
Nitrates and blue-green algae are two main concerns of water quality for livestock in Nebraska, and while not as common, salinity can also be an issue.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Forage, Insect and Water Quality Issues for Grazing Livestock

July 9, 2024
Extension educators review common issues for producers to bear in mind as livestock graze throughout the summer, including prussic acid, horn flies and face flies, and water contamination.

Read more

Cattle walking through pasture below storm clouds
Speeding up grazing during wet conditions and slowing down during dry times is a reliable way to adjust grazing to match current conditions.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Hay Harvest, Weather Impacts on Forage Growth and Grazing Strategies

July 1, 2024
Nebraska Extension educators share tips on adjusting grazing strategies for summer weather and forage growth, and targeting the best date for sub-irrigated meadow hay harvest.

Read more

Alfalfa windrow being collected by harvester
To minimize nutrient loss from rain events during alfalfa harvest, spread windrows as wide as possible and condition at harvest, which can reduce dry down from two days to half a day.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Alfalfa Disease, Harvesting During Wet Summers and Weevil Feeding on Regrowth

June 25, 2024
Recommendations for alfalfa producers on managing windrow disease, navigating rain issues during harvest, and estimating alfalfa weevil thresholds when regrowth feeding has been observed.

Read more

Grasshopper on plant leaf
While grasshoppers are considered damaging to rangeland and crops, only a handful of Nebraska’s species have been known to cause damage. Correct identification of these species’ nymphal developmental stage will improve results from insecticide applications. See the Grasshopper Pest Management page for identification resources.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Management Considerations for Grasshopper, Poison Hemlock and Yucca

June 20, 2024
Economic thresholds of grasshoppers have been observed in some Nebraska pastures — review the square foot method and insecticide options to begin scouting and control measures. 

Read more

Cattle stand in pasture below thunderstorm
Despite their resiliency, perennial forages can experience significant yield loss from hailstorms. Damage assessment and timing are key to the recovery process for pastures and hay fields.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Hail Damage to Pasture and Hay, Alfalfa Irrigation After a Wet Spring

June 11, 2024
Extension recommendations on reducing the risk of toxic plant consumption for grazing animals, hail damage recovery for pasture and hay fields, and summer alfalfa irrigation following a wet spring.

Read more

Harvested alfalfa falls from combine
First cutting of alfalfa is a great time to assess your field conditions — producers should take time to scout for disease, insects, weeds and other issues that may need corrective action.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Alfalfa Harvest Checklist, Managing Pasture Weeds After Drought

June 6, 2024
It's time for first cutting of alfalfa, which is a prime opportunity to assess field condition. Keep these factors in mind during harvest to get ahead of crop issues.

Read more

Leafy spurge closeup
Leafy spurge spreads aggressively and is difficult to control once established. Several herbicides are labeled for control of this weed, but continued monitoring and retreatments are necessary for best results.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Controlling Leafy Spurge and Alfalfa Weevil, Planting Warm-season Annuals

May 28, 2024
Strategies for reducing spread of leafy spurge and scouting for alfalfa weevil, plus insights on selecting and planting warm-season annuals.

Read more

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.

Read more