Cool-Season Grasses

Alfalfa field
Even before plants begin to green up, individual plant assessments can be done. While assessment before green-up occurs may seem a bit preemptive, pre-scouting now can focus scouting efforts to problem areas later on when time becomes precious during spring planting.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Strategies to Increase Alfalfa Health, Productivity

March 19, 2024
Extension educators review options for interseeding grasses into alfalfa and assessing alfalfa stand health.

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Cattle grazing pasture under storm clouds
While most areas in Nebraska have received good snowfall or rain this winter, there is always some uncertainty for spring and summer precipitation. So, the key first step in devising a successful spring and summer grazing and forage strategy is to develop or adjust a good drought plan for your operation.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Understanding Fall Dormancy in Alfalfa, Planning Summer Grazing

February 27, 2024
Extension educators share growth impacts of fall dormancy in alfalfa and recommendations for building your spring and summer grazing and forage plans.

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Oat field in summer
While taking stock of your operation for the new year, it’s also a good time to start planning spring annual forages. While oats are probably the most common cool-season annual forage planted in Nebraska, spring triticale or spring barley are also good options, with comparable forage yield and quality.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Preparing Your Operation for 2024, Planning Spring Annual Forages

January 23, 2024
Winter brings time to take stock of our current operations and plan for the future, which can make a significant impact on success in the upcoming year. 

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When planted in early July, sorghum-sudangrasses can produce three to four tons by early to mid-September. (Photo by Troy Walz/UNL Beef)

Annual Forage Options for July or August Planting

July 13, 2023
UNL Beef provides information on forage species selection and key management considerations based on desired use.

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Fertilizing pasture
University research on fertilizing sub-irrigated grazed hay meadows with 70 lbs. of N, 25 lbs. of P and 20 lbs. of S per acre resulted in a 3:1 return on investment.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Calculate ROI Before Fertilizing Pastures

April 26, 2023
This week: Fertilizing pastures — an in-depth analysis on the economics of applying fertilizer to Nebraska pastures this season. 

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Cattle grazing pasture
With intense drought conditions last year, it may be prudent to reduce stocking rates and delay turnout this spring, to help grasses in their recovery process.

Pasture and Forage Minute: 2023 Grazing Plans, Preventing Grass Tetany

March 30, 2023
With spring officially here, it's time to put 2023 grazing plans in place and be on the lookout for signs of grass tetany.

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Pasture landscape
Fertilization of smooth bromegrass pastures should begin soon, by late March through April

Pasture and Forage Minute: Winter Survival in Alfalfa, Fertilizing Cool-Season Grass

March 16, 2023
Tips on choosing winter survival traits in alfalfa without compromising yield, and timing and application rates for fertilizing cool-season grass pastures.

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Orchardgrass
With its rapid regrowth rates, orchardgrass is an excellent option to add to a cool-season grass mixture for late summer forage planting.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Valuing Drought Forage, Late Summer Planting, Managing High Nitrates

August 24, 2022
Insights on how forage prices should be adjusted this year for droughty crops, the optimal grasses for late summer forage planting and how to manage high nitrates in forages.

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