Jerry Volesky - Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist

Cow grazes in corn residue — Cattle graze on nutrient-rich corn residue after harvest, maximizing forage resources before winter feed is needed.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing Strategies for Residue and Winter Feed Considerations

November 6, 2024

Grazing grain sorghum stover, cornstalks and winter pastures can reduce feed costs and support cattle health, provided there's careful management to address risks like prussic acid and declining protein.

Mature soybean field — While soybean residue can be grazed to move animals off overused pasture, it has low feed value and should always be accompanied by supplemental feed.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Fall Alfalfa and Soybean Residue Grazing

October 23, 2024

Extension insights on lower bloat risk for animals grazing fall alfalfa, and the pros and cons of grazing soybean residue.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Tips on Lease Agreements, Controlling Cheatgrass and Interseeding Legumes

October 2, 2024

Extension insights on terminating lease agreements, the best herbicides for controlling cheatgrass, and overgrazing pastures in preparation for interseeding legumes to improve nutrition.

Hay in stacks — In Nebraska, hay prices fluctuate throughout the year due to several factors, including weather, supply and demand, and quality. For easy access to current hay prices, bookmark the link to CropWatch's hay markets page below.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Fall Thistle Control, Hay Prices and Drought Concerns

September 26, 2024

Herbicide options for pasture thistles during fall, insights on hay price fluctuations due to factors like drought and market conditions, and addressing the impact of dry weather on pasture health and alfalfa harvest timing.

Alfalfa exiting machinery during harvest — Properly timing the final alfalfa harvest using growing degree days (GDD) helps ensure winterization and prevent winterkill, allowing stands to thrive in the next growing season.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Timing Last Alfalfa Harvest with GDD, Sampling Hay

September 17, 2024

Insights on using growing degree days for alfalfa harvest to ensure winterization before dormancy, managing nitrate levels in annuals for foraging livestock, and sampling hay for a comprehensive quality test.

Alfalfa field during summer — Fall-planted alfalfa needs at least four to six weeks of growth before the first frost to establish a strong root system, with proper seeding depth and weed control being key to its success.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Fall Planting Alfalfa and Winter Annual Forages

September 3, 2024

Tips for selecting suitable alfalfa varieties for successful establishment before winter, and deciding between rye, triticale and wheat for fall seeding.

Cow drinking water from stocktank — Producers have a multitude of options for keeping stock tank algae at bay, from algicides and bleach to barley straw and goldfish.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Heat Effects on Alfalfa, Stock Tank Algae Control

August 5, 2024

Extension educators outline options for mitigating weeds in summer annual grasses and algae growth in stock tanks, as well as challenges that summer heat may create for alfalfa plants and harvest.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Improving Alfalfa Stands and Hay Bale Storage, Water Hemlock Control

July 31, 2024

Extension tips on identifying water hemlock, interseeding grass to boost alfalfa fields, and reducing weather loss from hay bale storage.