Jerry Volesky - Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist

 Nightshade plant
Large populations of black nightshade in corn stalks can be deadly to livestock, so careful observation during grazing is recommended.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Nightshade Poisoning, Planning Forage During Shortages and Inflation

October 18, 2021
This week, extension educators address concerns about cattle grazing black nightshade in corn fields and preparing a forage plan for 2022 to mitigate rising costs of inputs.

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Yucca plants
Herbicides are most effective against yucca infestations when applied in spring or summer on individual plants or small patches.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Managing Prussic Acid, Yucca and Fall Irrigation

October 12, 2021
In this week's article, educators review concerns on prussic acid development in sorghum plants, herbicide control for soapweeds in grazing lands and irrigating alfalfa this fall to help with stand stress.

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baled corn

Pasture and Forage Minute: Overgraze Pastures Now to Prep for Interseeding Legumes Next Spring

September 22, 2021
This week, Extension Educator Ben Beckman explains how to produce nitrogen in a pasture by interseeding legumes — plus, a review on testing hay for its quality and baling corn stalks for forage.

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Musk thistle

Pasture and Forage Minute: Scouting for Thistles and Fall Armyworms, Soybean Residue as Forage

September 29, 2021
Extension educators review their tips for controlling thistles in pastures, scouting for fall armyworms and how to meet nutritional requirements while grazing soybean residue.

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Windrow in field
When done correctly, windrow grazing provides the best of both worlds, allowing harvest to occur at the optimal time for yield and quality, while eliminating the cost and labor of baling, storing and feeding hay. (Photo by Aaron Berger)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Planning Winter Forages, Windrow Grazing

September 15, 2021
Extension educators discuss winter annual forages, windrow grazing, and alfalfa winterization and frost concerns.

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Alfalfa defoliation by fall armyworms

Pasture and Forage Minute: Alfalfa Pests and Last Cutting, Controlling Cheatgrass

September 2, 2021
Extension educators discuss timing of the last cutting of alfalfa and scouting for fall armyworms, plus best practices for controlling cheatgrass in pastures.

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Hay bales on trailer
The average round bale may lose up to one-fourth of its original nutrients during outside storage, but these losses can be reduced to less than 10% or so with the right row orientation and adequate ground surface drainage.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Thinning Alfalfa Stands, Hay Bale Storage and Weed Management

August 25, 2021
Extension educators review options for improving thin alfalfa stands, the most effective storage methods to reduce hay losses and managing late summer pasture weeds.

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Alfalfa plant closeup

Pasture and Forage Minute: Approaches for Low-Producing Alfalfa and Corn Silage Inoculants

August 10, 2021
Extension educators review the reasons for evaluating alfalfa stands in the fall and interseeding grasses in low-producing alfalfa fields, plus how to choose an inoculant for corn silage.

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