Livestock

Cattle grazing — Grazing wheat or harvesting it early in the boot stage for hay could also open a window of opportunity to plant a summer annual forage into the wheat stubble as a second crop if good moisture conditions are present. (Photo by Troy Walz)

Winter Wheat May Have More Value as Forage Than Taking It to Grain

May 4, 2023

Due to current cattle market conditions, and the price and availability of hay, Nebraska Extension Educator Aaron Berger evaluates the value of grazing or haying winter wheat this year.

Cattle grazing pasture — With intense drought conditions last year, it may be prudent to reduce stocking rates and delay turnout this spring, to help grasses in their recovery process.

Pasture and Forage Minute: 2023 Grazing Plans, Preventing Grass Tetany

March 30, 2023

With spring officially here, it's time to put 2023 grazing plans in place and be on the lookout for signs of grass tetany.

FarmBits Podcast: Instant Insights with Intelia

March 17, 2023

In the latest episode, FarmBits investigates livestock sensors for poultry, which track bird health, barn temperature, food consumption and more to deliver producers real-time insights on their flock.

FarmBits Podcast: Smart Fencing

March 17, 2023

The FarmBits team interviews UNL master's student Kaitlyn Dozler to learn more about how virtual fencing can minimize the labor and time commitments required for rotational grazing.

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.

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.

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.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing with Snow Cover, Forage Inventory

January 31, 2023

Insights on the importance of snow cover for pastures and its impacts on livestock, and taking inventory of feed resources for the remainder of winter.

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