Woman pulling soil sample from ground
Fall soil sampling provides crucial data on soil fertility, helping farmers plan for optimal crop production and make informed decisions for the upcoming season.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Fall Soil Sampling and Reducing Hay Feeding Losses

November 26, 2024
Insights on two key pasture and forage management topics to help producers improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness for their operations.

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Corn residue in field
Cornstalk residue offers an economical feed option, but rain, snow and wind can lower its nutritional value — monitor closely and adjust supplements to maintain cattle health.

Pasture And Forage Minute: Cornstalk Quality After Rain, Storing Hay to Reduce Loss

November 12, 2024
Extension educators share strategies to manage feed quality and minimize losses in cattle operations this winter.

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Stacks of hay
Hay quality varies yearly, impacting cattle feed needs and supplemental strategies. Accurate hay testing helps producers avoid underfeeding or overfeeding during winter, which can affect herd health and fertility and help manage costs effectively.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing Bt Corn Residue and Testing Hay

October 29, 2024
Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Ben Beckman weighs in on the importance of informed feed management to optimize cattle health and productivity this fall and winter.

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Hay in stacks
In Nebraska, hay prices fluctuate throughout the year due to several factors, including weather, supply and demand, and quality. For easy access to current hay prices, bookmark the link to CropWatch's hay markets page below.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Fall Thistle Control, Hay Prices and Drought Concerns

September 26, 2024
Herbicide options for pasture thistles during fall, insights on hay price fluctuations due to factors like drought and market conditions, and addressing the impact of dry weather on pasture health and alfalfa harvest timing. 

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Alfalfa exiting machinery during harvest
Properly timing the final alfalfa harvest using growing degree days (GDD) helps ensure winterization and prevent winterkill, allowing stands to thrive in the next growing season.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Timing Last Alfalfa Harvest with GDD, Sampling Hay

September 17, 2024
Insights on using growing degree days for alfalfa harvest to ensure winterization before dormancy, managing nitrate levels in annuals for foraging livestock, and sampling hay for a comprehensive quality test.

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Water hemlock plant

Pasture and Forage Minute: Improving Alfalfa Stands and Hay Bale Storage, Water Hemlock Control

July 31, 2024
Extension tips on identifying water hemlock, interseeding grass to boost alfalfa fields, and reducing weather loss from hay bale storage.

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Bale in field of stubble
When preparing to harvest summer annual grasses, remember this mantra for best results: "Cut it early, cut it high, crimp the stems and they will dry."

Pasture and Forage Minute: Forage Harvest, Pasture Rental Rates and Controlling Yucca

July 24, 2024
Considerations for harvest of slow-to-dry summer annual grasses, setting 2024 pasture rental rates, and controlling yucca on Nebraska rangelands. 

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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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