Grass Management

Angus cattle feed in pasture
Attendance to the 2024 Southeast Nebraska Pasture and Acreage Expo is free to the public; see below for details on registration and program agenda.

Southeast Nebraska Pasture and Acreage Expo Set for Aug. 23

August 8, 2024
This expo will help both experienced and first-time landowners learn animal and pasture management strategies to maximize the value of their properties and livestock operations.

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Cow drinking water from stocktank
Producers have a multitude of options for keeping stock tank algae at bay, from algicides and bleach to barley straw and goldfish.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Heat Effects on Alfalfa, Stock Tank Algae Control

August 5, 2024
Extension educators outline options for mitigating weeds in summer annual grasses and algae growth in stock tanks, as well as challenges that summer heat may create for alfalfa plants and harvest.

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Hereford cow in pasture
Featured speaker of the 2024 Nebraska Grazing Conference is Dr. Ray Ward, founder of Ward Laboratories, who will speak on his career in soils and plant quality analysis.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Nebraska Grazing Conference Aug. 6-7

July 16, 2024
Details on the upcoming 2024 Nebraska Grazing Conference, and considerations for mid-season forage evaluations and stable fly management in pastures.

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Cattle walking through pasture below storm clouds
Speeding up grazing during wet conditions and slowing down during dry times is a reliable way to adjust grazing to match current conditions.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Hay Harvest, Weather Impacts on Forage Growth and Grazing Strategies

July 1, 2024
Nebraska Extension educators share tips on adjusting grazing strategies for summer weather and forage growth, and targeting the best date for sub-irrigated meadow hay harvest.

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Cattle stand in pasture below thunderstorm
Despite their resiliency, perennial forages can experience significant yield loss from hailstorms. Damage assessment and timing are key to the recovery process for pastures and hay fields.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Hail Damage to Pasture and Hay, Alfalfa Irrigation After a Wet Spring

June 11, 2024
Extension recommendations on reducing the risk of toxic plant consumption for grazing animals, hail damage recovery for pasture and hay fields, and summer alfalfa irrigation following a wet spring.

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Leafy spurge closeup
Leafy spurge spreads aggressively and is difficult to control once established. Several herbicides are labeled for control of this weed, but continued monitoring and retreatments are necessary for best results.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Controlling Leafy Spurge and Alfalfa Weevil, Planting Warm-season Annuals

May 28, 2024
Strategies for reducing spread of leafy spurge and scouting for alfalfa weevil, plus insights on selecting and planting warm-season annuals.

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Man, woman and child kneel in pasture
There are four key points to remember during the process of planning and planting perennial grasses: seed cost, seedbed, seeding depth and weed control.

Economic Considerations for Converting Cropland to Perennial Grazing Lands

May 23, 2024
Extension educators review the financial and operational considerations of converting cropland to grass pastures.

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Annual forage field
This webinar reviews the pros and cons of adding an annual forage into crop rotations, with insights from Mary Drewnoski, extension beef systems specialist, Jay Parsons, extension farm and ranch management specialist, and Daren Redfearn, extension crop residue specialist. (USDA NRCS photo)

Measuring Up: Annual Forage vs. Row Crop

May 10, 2024
This webinar highlights the economics and production benefits of incorporating annual forage systems into crop rotations for producers interested in diversifying their operation.

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