Direct Grazing of Standing Milo with Cows Examined in Webinar

November 14, 2025

Direct Grazing of Standing Milo with Cows Examined in Webinar

By Aaron Berger - Beef Extension Educator

A field of standing milo with green seedheads and some yellowing lower leaves, growing in dry, sandy soil under a light blue sky.

For mixed operations, strip-grazing standing milo offers a way to turn a row-crop field into low-cost winter feed. Nebraska Extension’s upcoming webinar will cover research showing how this practice cuts hay use and boosts system efficiency.

Chabella Guzman | PREEC Communications

Nebraska Extension will host a webinar at noon (MT) on Wednesday, Dec. 3, that will focus on strip-grazing standing milo as a winter feed option. Over the last several years, researchers at the University of Missouri have been studying this practice and working with producers to evaluate the economics and effectiveness of this opportunity. Rusty Lee, field specialist in agronomy with Missouri Extension, and a farmer/rancher who has utilized this practice in his own operation, will share the results of his research and experience.

Benefits to producers who have utilized this practice include the following:

  • Direct grazing saves the expense of harvesting milo with equipment and returns nutrients directly back to the ground where the milo crop was grown.
  • Significantly reduced winter feed costs when compared to feeding hay.
  • A consistent, high-energy feed for breeding fall-calving cows or late spring calving cows with calves at side when utilized with a protein supplement.
  • Eliminates the need for daily operating equipment to feed the cow herd.

The University of Missouri extension publication “Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage discusses the process for growing and grazing milo with livestock.

Register to attend the webinar at a local site:

  • Nebraska Extension in Kimball-Banner counties, 209 East Third, Kimball. Contact Aaron Berger, 308-235-3122.
  • Nebraska Extension in Sheridan County, 800 Loofborrow St, Rushville. Contact Brock Ortner, 308-327-2312.
  • Nebraska Extension in Cedar County, 101 E Center, Hartington. Contact Ben Beckman, 402-254-6821.

If not attending a site, register for the program and receive the webinar link by contacting Aaron Berger, 308-235-3122.

There is no cost to attend the program. Pre-registration is requested by Monday, Dec. 1, at hosting sites to ensure that adequate program materials and seating are available.

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