Grass Management

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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Musk thistle
For pastures with noxious weed thistles like this musk thistle, now is the time for spring herbicide applications, while the plants are still in the short rosette to bolted growth stages prior to flowering. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Selecting Summer Forages, Thistle Control Options

May 9, 2024
Insights on pasture rental rates, selecting summer forage based on needs for your operation, and control options for noxious weed thistles in pastures.

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Army cutworm eating wheat
Army cutworm larva chewing on a blade of wheat. (CropWatch file photo)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Fertilizing Cool-season Pasture, Army Cutworm Control

April 29, 2024
Extension educators review timelines for turnout to summer pastures, calculating returns on fertilizing cool-season pastures, and tips for scouting army cutworm in alfalfa fields.

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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.

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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. 

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Green alfalfa field
Evaluating your alfalfa stand in the spring is key to planning management and setting expectations for this year.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Evaluating Alfalfa Stands, Fertilizing Cool-season Grass

March 26, 2024
Recommendations on getting an accurate assessment of alfalfa stands this spring and fertilizing cool-season grass pastures and hayfields for optimal forage yields.

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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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