Forages

Pasture landscape

The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture features a website devoted to information on Range, Pasture, and Forages, including sections on forage crop and pasture, integrated crop-livestock systems, rangeland ecology and management, grazing, bioenergy and a section on forage publications. Use the links below to this site to identify Nebraska Extension forage publications on these topics.

The site also includes reports of recent and ongoing forage crop and pasture studies underway with researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

UNL Extension Forage Publications

available through the Department of Agronomy of Horticulture Range, Pasture, and Forages website

For information on other topics, please see the full library of Nebraska Extension Publications.

Alfalfa field irrigated by center pivot — Early season irrigation linked with first cutting alfalfa can potentially lower water use sharply, as transpiration is lower when the leaf foliage is removed.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Early Season Irrigation, Controlling Alfalfa Weevil

April 23, 2024

This week, extension educators discuss strategies for early season irrigation of alfalfa to lower seasonal water use, controlling alfalfa weevil and flash grazing in spring to mitigate early pasture weeds.

Cow in tall grass — Making a decision on when to graze winter annuals such rye, winter wheat or triticale in the spring should depend on plant growth — ideally, the best time to graze is when the plants are about five to six inches tall.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Annual Forage Webinar Series, Improving Alfalfa Stands

April 17, 2024

Extension educators introduce a new webinar series for producers interested in adding an annual forage rotation to their operation, plus insights on grazing spring cereal grains and options for thin alfalfa stands.

Cow standing in pasture — This webinar on pasture lease considerations features discussion by Anastasia Meyer, extension agricultural economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability; and Aaron Berger, livestock systems educator, Nebraska Extension.

Pasture Lease Provisions in 2024

April 11, 2024

This Center for Agricultural Profitability webinar reviews lease provisions that producers should have in pasture leases, as well as information about beef cow share agreements.

Man operates drone in field — Though the startup costs can seem daunting, drones can help producers save time and reduce costs on numerous tasks involved in managing livestock.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Drones for Livestock Management, Drought Recovery

April 9, 2024

This week, extension educators weigh in on the pros and cons of drone use for livestock producers, and considerations for drought-damaged pastures and controlling winter annual weeds in alfalfa.

Cattle grazing pasture during spring — Lush spring growth brings with it the risk of grass tetany, due to its low magnesium levels. To avoid tetany issues, it’s best to wait until grass in pastures has grown to at least six inches high before grazing.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Double Cropping Forages, Wheat Grazing vs. Grain Value

April 3, 2024

Insights on double cropping annual forages in irrigated cropland, avoiding grass tetany, and making the decision to use wheat as forage or grain this year.

News Archive