Pasture

Cattle grazing corn residue — This year, earlier residue grazing of corn and sorghum residue soon after grain harvest may provide good nutrition for mid- to late-gestation cattle.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing Drought-stressed Crop Residue and Fall Forages

October 9, 2024

Best practices for producers looking to graze crop residue due to drought-related shortages, and managing risk factors with fall forages.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Tips on Lease Agreements, Controlling Cheatgrass and Interseeding Legumes

October 2, 2024

Extension insights on terminating lease agreements, the best herbicides for controlling cheatgrass, and overgrazing pastures in preparation for interseeding legumes to improve nutrition.

Green wheat field — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Drought Delays Winter Wheat Emergence

October 9, 2024

Winter wheat emergence has been notably delayed due to dry conditions in Nebraska, currently 20% behind last year at this time.

wheat field — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat Planting Advances Amid Moisture Shortages

October 1, 2024

Drought has intensified in Nebraska, causing increased topsoil and subsoil moisture shortages as growers reach the final stretch of winter wheat planting.

Man operates combine in dry bean field — A Panhandle grower undercuts and windrows a field of dry beans so they can dry down and be combined. (Photo by Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension)

Crop Progress: Dry Bean Harvest Reaches Halfway Point

September 26, 2024

Dry bean harvest was at 46% complete by Sept. 22, and harvest of corn, soybean and sorghum continues near average pace.

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.

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.

Grasshopper on plant leaf — Monitoring grasshopper populations using the square-foot method can help prevent damage to late summer alfalfa and forage crops, with insecticide treatments considered if thresholds are exceeded.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Alfalfa Irrigation and Last Cutting, Grasshopper Management

September 12, 2024

Extension insights on fall alfalfa irrigation for improving yields, strategies for timing the last cutting to ensure winter survival, and grasshopper management to protect late summer forage from pest damage.

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