Daren Redfearn - Extension Forage Crop Residue Specialist

Daren Redfearn

faculty
Work Keim Hall (KEIM) 136
Lincoln NE 68583-0915
US
Work 402-472-2662 On campus, dial 2-2662
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icon-academic-capEducation

  • Ph D, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1995
  • MS, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1992
  • BS, Texas Tech University, 1985

icon-business-chartResearch & Grants

  • Five-year Plan for the Beef Systems Initiative, Internal, August 2017
  • Enhance Animal Protein Crops/Cattle, Fdn for Food & Agriculture Research, July 2017
  • Soil Health Initiative, Dept of Agriculture-NRCS, September 2017
  • Dev Rsrch Ext Skills of Students, Dept of Agriculture-NIFA, March 2016

Faculty Bio

Cattle in pasture
University of Nebraska research has determined that when corn residue is grazed at proper stocking rates, there are small, but positive effects on crop production the following year.

Cattle Compaction in Cropland: Fact or Fiction?

August 23, 2021
Grazing corn residue is a low-cost winter feed for cattle and source of additional income with no negative effects on cropland.

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Harvested corn field
The Crop Residue Exchange is an interactive, online tool that facilitates connections between livestock producers looking for forage and crop producers with available crop residues or other forage resources.

Crop Residue Exchange Links Growers and Grazers

August 23, 2021
The Crop Residue Exchange continues to connect livestock producers with crop residue and other forage resources.

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example aerial imagery

Assessing Cover Crop Biomass Using Aerial Imagery: Lessons Learned During the UNL-NRCS Soil Health Initiative

October 15, 2020
Using aerial imagery, a non-destructive and easy-to apply method, we are able to gain insight into cover crop biomass production across an entire field, which would not be possible with traditional, boots-on-the-ground biomass sampling.

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example aerial imagery

Using Aerial Imagery to Help Determine the Impact of Cover Crops on Cash Crop Growth and Development

October 15, 2020
Through education and on-farm assessment, Nebraska landowners part of the Soil Health Initiative (SHI) are evaluating the effects of diverse cover crop mixtures on both soil properties and agronomic indicators of soil health.

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crop residue exchange logo

Market Your Crop Residue Using the Crop Residue Exchange

September 24, 2020
This interactive, online tool helps farmers and cattle producers connect and develop mutually beneficial agreements to use crop residue and forage cover crops for grazing.

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Drought stressed soybeans
The importance of estimating soybean yield prior to harvesting as forage is illustrated in this photo of drought-stressed soybean from Washington County, NE. With a closer look at these plants, you can see 10 to 12 pods per stem with 3 seeds per pod on a few of the plants. These soybeans are not stressed enough to consider for hay or silage. Photo courtesy of Aaron Nygren, Nebraska Extension.

Harvesting Soybeans for Hay or Silage

September 1, 2020
The decision to harvest as forage (hay or silage) or grain should be based on economics. However, the decision to not harvest soybeans as grain does need to be made as soon as possible to capture the forage value of drought-stressed soybeans.

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wheat being cut for forage
Cutting and windrowing forage wheat in south central Nebraska for processing into wheatlage. (Photos by Todd Whitney)

Estimating a Fair Value for Standing Forage

July 29, 2020
Several things need to be considered when deciding what value to place on standing forage. Forage prices reflect current inventories, demand, expected current season production and associated yield risk, and quality characteristics.

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Cattle grazing rye cover crop near Tecumseh
Figure 1. Cattle grazing cereal rye cover crop near Tecumseh. Often grazing poses less of a nitrate toxicity risk than haying and feeding. (Photo by Mary Drewnoski)

Reducing Nitrate Concerns When Grazing Forage Cover Crops

July 22, 2020
Nitrate toxicity can be a concern when planting cover crops for forage in hail-damaged crop fields. With proper management of haying and grazing, the risk can be reduced.

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