Mature wheat field
Historical crop values for Nebraska are available at USDA.

Nebraska Crop Values for 2023

February 27, 2024
While the overall value of Nebraska's 2023 crops is down 11% from 2022, the state's winter wheat production value is up 16%.

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Hereford cow and calf in field eating hay
A cow's energy requirements increase about 30% and protein needs nearly double after calving. Because of this, it's important to use your best quality forages with any needed supplements to provide adequate nutrition.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Feed After Calving, Adding Legumes to Pastures

February 12, 2024
Tips on meeting nutrient requirements of cows after calving season and improving pasture production by frost seeding or interseeding legumes.

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Cattle eating hay during winter
Properly testing hay and adjusting mineral and livestock diets during the winter are important steps in minimizing the risk of issues like tetany and nitrate poisoning.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Pasture Leases and Winter Hay Nutrition

January 30, 2024
Extension educators review factors that affect the success of pasture grazing leases, and how to avoid toxicity and malnutrition through livestock feed during the winter.

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Oat field at sunset
Historical grain stocks data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Nebraska Dec. 1, 2023 Grain And Hay Stocks

January 18, 2024
All Nebraska grain and hay stocks were up as of Dec. 1, 2023, with oats leading at an increase of 118% over 2022.

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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 grouped during snowstorm
For every degree of cold stress a cow faces, they increase their energy requirements by 1%. It's important to provide shelter and adjust feed to help cattle meet these energy requirements and avoid body condition loss.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Cold Stress Preparation, Feeding Brown Hay and Silage Safely

December 19, 2023
Extension educators provide recommendations on preventing body condition loss in cattle during low temperatures and ways to safely feed heat-damaged hay and silage.

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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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Controlled burn of red cedar trees
A prescribed burn continues to be the most economical approach to controlling Eastern red cedar trees. (Photo by Troy Walz)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Red Cedar Control and Fall Hay Inventory

November 29, 2023
Recommendations for prescribed burning to control Eastern red cedar in pastures and rangeland, and fall hay inventory.

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