Pasture

Use Shredding, Grazing to Manage Pasture Weed Flushes August 17, 2018

Extra rain this summer has made many pastures greener than they've been in a long time, but unfortunately, some of that green is likely to be weeds. At this point in the season shredding and grazing may be more effective than applying a herbicide.

Figure 1. Two options for determining pasture rental rates are per acre and per cow-calf.

Q&A: How do I determine a fair pasture rental rate? March 9, 2018

What are some of the reasons why you would choose either a per-acre or a per cow-calf pair to determine pasture rental rate? Extension Forage Specialist Bruce Anderson discusses several benefits of each method.

Graph of stand frequency for two indiangrass varieties

Does Weed Control Method Impact Indiangrass Establishment and Persistence? February 5, 2018

This study evaluated two weed control methods and seeding rates on establishment and persistence of two indiangrass cultivars, ‘Oto’ and ‘NE 54’, from 2003 to 2007.

Leased Pastures During Drought August 4, 2017

Are you grazing cattle on rented pastures? If so, the current drought or abnormally dry conditions may force some important decisions.

Time To Fertilize Warm-Season Grasses May 24, 2017

Warm-season grasses provide good pasture and hay and use soil nutrients efficiently. If you can benefit from extra growth, fertilize now, in late May, for higher yields.

Where you have moisture, these grasses will begin growing rapidly as soil and air temperature increase. Adding nitrogen now will help these grasses produce extra hay or grazing.

forage windrows — Under current market prices, windrow grazing annual forages may be a competitive option with cash grain crops. (Photo by Aaron Berger)

Annual Forages and Windrow Grazing as an Alternative to Cash Grain Crops April 18, 2017

The relationship between current grain prices and forage/pasture prices in western Nebraska is creating a scenario where forage crops may provide an economically viable alternative to a cash grain crop. From an economic perspective, at current market prices, 1.5 tons per acre of annual forage is competitive with cash grain crops in terms of generating gross dollars per acre.

Use Care When Burning Grasslands March 22, 2017

Prescribed burning CRP or pasture can improve stands, prepare them for interseeding, control weeds and trees, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve forage quality, but it must be done safely. The best time is from mid-April to early May when warm season grasses are just starting to grow.

cattle grazing cool-season grasses — Figure 1. With grain prices down and input costs up, converting cropland to pastureland could create a profit opportunity for 2017. A successful and cost-effective conversion starts with careful planning. (Photo by Jerry Volesky)

Converting Cropland to Pastureland March 16, 2017

At a time when crop production costs remain high as crop prices decline and cattle compete for scarce pastures, converting cropland to pasture might make sense. If you’re considering this change, take time to plan and do it right.