Pasture and Forage Minute: Nebraska Grazing Conference, Summer Annual Forages and Pricing CRP Hay

July 17, 2023
Make plans to attend the 2023 Nebraska Grazing Conference, tips to help make sure summer annual grass hays are dry and of good quality, and how to price CRP hay.

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Grasshopper in meadow
Grasshoppers tend to thrive in dry, hot conditions while outbreaks can be severely limited by cool, wet spring weather, and as such, producers in eastern Nebraska might see an increase in outbreaks this summer, while western Nebraska grasshopper populations may be reduced.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grasshopper Control, Sub-irrigated Meadow Hay Harvest

July 7, 2023
Extension insights on grazing strategies to accommodate weather changes, grasshopper scouting and treatment recommendations, and tips for getting the most out of sub-irrigated meadow hay harvest in Nebraska. 

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Poison hemlock
Extremely toxic to both animals and humans, poison hemlock can be found statewide in Nebraska and is most toxic right before the fruits mature. (Photo courtesy Oregon Department of Agriculture)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Low Hay Stocks, Grazing Shifts, Toxic Pasture Plants

June 13, 2023
With the lowest level of hay stocks since 1974, extension educators stress the importance of taking inventory of feed and hay resources, and to begin planning for next year's needs right now. 

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Farmer in wheat field
Historical prospective plantings data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Nebraska 2023 Prospective Plantings

April 6, 2023
According to survey results, Nebraska winter wheat acreage is expected to increase by 17% in 2023, soybeans will remain unchanged, and corn acreage will be slightly down from 2022.

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Cattle grazing ryegrass
After intense drought conditions and heavily grazed pastures last year, producers may want to consider strategies like reducing stocking rates, delaying spring turnout and seeded annual forages in their forage plans for 2023.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Understanding TDN Values, Planning Summer Grazing

February 21, 2023
A review of the impact of TDN values in hay tests, and considerations for spring and summer forage plans following the severe drought conditions and heavy grazing experienced in 2022.

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Corn field

Nebraska 2022 Crop Values Down 10%

February 28, 2023
The value of Nebraska's crop production is down for all major crops, with deficits ranging from 9% deficit in corn to 22% in winter wheat.

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Cattle eating hay
If your grass, alfalfa or cereal grain feed tests low in magnesium, switching to a high calcium or magnesium mineral will ensure better animal health and milk production.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Avoiding Tetany, Nitrate Issues, Calculating Pasture Rental Rates

February 7, 2023
Extension educators review the importance of testing winter hay and monitoring animals for tetany and nitrate poisoning, and factors to consider while calculating pasture lease rates.

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Hay
In a hay test, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) measure the sample’s fiber content, affecting digestibility and forage intake, which help predict animal performance.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Understanding ADF and NDF, Hay Quality After Calving

February 16, 2023
The series on hay test readings continues with a review of ADF and NDF; reviewing the importance of feeding high quality hay after calving is done.

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