Pasture

Loading corn silage — Silage harvesters can put out impressive volumes of chop, often overwhelming the packer with too many loads before they can get a proper pack. Remember, the speed of chopping should be determined by the packing speed, not the silage chopper.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Corn Silage, Last Cutting Alfalfa and Forage Inventories

August 29, 2023

Best practices for packing and covering corn silage, timing the last fall alfalfa cutting, and taking inventory of fall and winter feed supplies.

Corn in dent phase — Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Crop, Pasture Conditions Decline Following Record-setting Heat Wave

August 29, 2023

Nebraska crops experienced a slight decrease in condition after an intense heat wave scorched the Midwest for nearly a week.

Grasshopper in field — With continued drought, producers may see grasshoppers moving from field edges into crops. Frequent scouting of fields will be critical in the coming weeks, particularly in alfalfa and late summer-seeded grasses, which are more susceptible to feeding damage..

Pasture and Forage Minute: Managing Grasshoppers, Pasture Weeds and Wet Hay

August 23, 2023

Insights on late summer grasshopper and pasture weed control, and options for producers putting up hay in wet conditions.

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

Crop Progress: Nebraska Crop Conditions Fall Slightly

August 22, 2023

As of Aug. 20, crop conditions had declined minimally, but growth continued progressing at near or above average pace.

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

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat, Oat Harvest Wraps Up in Nebraska

August 18, 2023

As of Aug. 13, harvest for winter wheat was at 97% complete and oats, 89%. Crop conditions remained stable from the prior week.

Pasture in drought — Though pastures that have had some precipitation are coming back, resist the temptation of grazing them hard this fall, as these plants need to build back reserves before winter.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Managing Drought-stressed Brome, Alfalfa Seeding

August 17, 2023

Insights on managing drought-stressed brome pastures this fall, planting windows and weed control for fall-seeded alfalfa, and registration information about upcoming field days.

Cattle in pasture — Attendees of this year's pasture walk will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with extension educators to address their forage production questions and concerns.

Summer Annual Forage Pasture Walk on Aug. 23

August 11, 2023

During this year's pasture walk at ENREEC, participants will learn about warm-season annual productivity, annual forage fertility management, prussic acid and nitrate concerns, and more.

Hay stack — Uncertain forecasts make harvest decisions difficult for hay producers, but it's important to keep in mind that the more hay is worked, the more leaf shatter occurs and the lower quality we end up with — especially for alfalfa.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Kernel Processing for Silage, Hay Harvest and Storage Considerations

August 9, 2023

Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman reviews methods of kernel processing for quality corn silage, reducing hay loss during storage and adjusting for adverse weather during hay harvest.

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