Mary Drewnoski - Beef Systems Specialist

Mary Drewnoski

faculty

Assoc Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Work Animal Science Complex (ANSC) C220F

Lincoln NE 68583-0908

Work 402-472-6289 On campus, dial 2-6289

mary.drewnoski@unl.edu

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Faculty Bio

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.

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.

Webinar - Cover Crops in Corn Systems: Opportunities for Dual Use - Set for Sept. 15th

August 27, 2020

Can planting cover crops in corn systems provide the dual benefits of improving soil health and be an economical source of forage? This webinar will cover lessons learned on incorporating cover crops after corn silage, high moisture corn, and dry corn harvest in Nebraska.

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.

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.

Figure 1. The Crop Residue Exchange continues to expand to better connect livestock producers with available forage resources. (Photo by Troy Walz)

Crop Residue Exchange Updated and Available for Listings

September 20, 2019

Interested in making your corn residue available or grazing? New updates make the Crop Residue Exchange even easier to use to link cattle producers and available grazing resources.

Hailed corn field — Figure 1. Severely hail-damaged corn field where the ears are the top-most part of the plant. Following severe hail damage, cover crops can offer a variety of benefits from using available nitrogen to aiding weed control. (Photos by Jenny Rees)

Cover Crop Considerations Following Late-Season Hail

August 29, 2019

Late-season hail has impacted fields across Nebraska. Growers may want to consider the value of cover crops for weed management, excess nitrogen uptake, and forage options.

Grazing an additional 10% of available acres of corn residue could increase income for crop producers by more than $6 million. (Photo courtesy of USDA)

The Value of Grazed Corn Residue for Crop and Cattle Producers

July 31, 2019

It's estimated that a 10% increase in grazing utilization of corn residue could add $6.4 million to the bottom line of crop producers in Nebraska.

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