Pasture landscape
For some areas of Nebraska that struggled with drought in 2023, pasture and forage production could be challenging, especially in early 2024. One strategy for improving production early in the season is frost-seeding legumes like red clover from February to mid-March.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Reflecting on 2023, Improving Pastures in 2024

January 2, 2024
Extension Forage Crop Residue Specialist Daren Redfearn shares his observations on pasture and forage production throughout 2023, and what producers can do to enhance plant growth in 2024.

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Cattle in snow-covered corn residue
While fall and winter weathering can reduce its nutritional quality, cornstalks are still a great and economical winter feed source if supplementation is managed appropriately.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Tips for Cornstalk Grazing, Using Bad Hay and Silage

December 26, 2023
Considerations for grazing cornstalks with snow cover and utilizing low-quality hay and silage during periods of low supply and high feed costs.

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Cattle eating hay during winter
There are many factors to consider when deciding who should bear the cost of water for cattle grazing cornstalks — Nebraska Extension's NebGuide EC821 can help producers and landowners calculate the costs and come to an equitable solution. See below for more.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Water Costs for Grazing Cattle, Twine in Feed

December 12, 2023
Extension educators share recommendations for calculating the cost of water for cattle grazing on cornstalks, and highlight the risks associated with cattle ingesting twine or net wrap in hay feed.

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Cattle eating hay during winter
One of the cheapest natural sources of protein, alfalfa hay is highly digestible and can increase consumption of low-quality feeds, making it a great supplement for winter diets.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Grazing After Fall Fertilizers, Using Alfalfa as Protein Supplement

December 6, 2023
Extension insights on grazing crop residue following fertilizer applications and using alfalfa as a protein supplement in winter feed.

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Field of corn residue
As rain, snow and wind throughout the fall and winter can reduce cornstalk quality, it's important for producers to adjust their supplementation programs accordingly.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Grazing Corn Residue

November 14, 2023
Extension educators review the impacts of weather on cornstalk quality and the benefits of grazing corn residue for both cattle and crop producers.

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Stacked hay bales
Quality hay probes and good sampling techniques are important factors for accurate hay test results and will help producers save money on supplemental feed during the winter.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Winter Grazing Pastures and Hay Testing

November 2, 2023
Extension educators review considerations for managing livestock nutrition during the winter, from grazing pastures to feeding quality hay.

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N Field logo

This Week on N Field: Frost and Prussic Acid

October 27, 2023
Sorghum, soghum-sudan and milo are great options for fall grazing, but producers should be cautious of frost damage and prussic acid prior to putting cattle out to graze.

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Cattle grazing corn residue
Sorghum stems are a little higher in quality than the corn stem, but care is still needed if cows are forced to graze the lower stems due to the potential of prussic acid toxicity immediately following a frost.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing Grain Sorghum Stover and Corn Residue

October 26, 2023
A review of the pros and cons of grazing sorghum and corn residue, and how to maximize the nutritional benefits of each.

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