Pasture

Cattle in snow-covered corn residue — While fall and winter weathering can reduce its nutritional quality, cornstalks are still a great and economical winter feed source if supplementation is managed appropriately.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Tips for Cornstalk Grazing, Using Bad Hay and Silage

December 26, 2023

Considerations for grazing cornstalks with snow cover and utilizing low-quality hay and silage during periods of low supply and high feed costs.

Cattle grouped during snowstorm — For every degree of cold stress a cow faces, they increase their energy requirements by 1%. It's important to provide shelter and adjust feed to help cattle meet these energy requirements and avoid body condition loss.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Cold Stress Preparation, Feeding Brown Hay and Silage Safely

December 19, 2023

Extension educators provide recommendations on preventing body condition loss in cattle during low temperatures and ways to safely feed heat-damaged hay and silage.

Cattle eating hay during winter — There are many factors to consider when deciding who should bear the cost of water for cattle grazing cornstalks — Nebraska Extension's NebGuide EC821 can help producers and landowners calculate the costs and come to an equitable solution. See below for more.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Water Costs for Grazing Cattle, Twine in Feed

December 12, 2023

Extension educators share recommendations for calculating the cost of water for cattle grazing on cornstalks, and highlight the risks associated with cattle ingesting twine or net wrap in hay feed.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Grazing After Fall Fertilizers, Using Alfalfa as Protein Supplement

December 6, 2023

Extension insights on grazing crop residue following fertilizer applications and using alfalfa as a protein supplement in winter feed.

Controlled burn of red cedar trees — A prescribed burn continues to be the most economical approach to controlling Eastern red cedar trees. (Photo by Troy Walz)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Red Cedar Control and Fall Hay Inventory

November 29, 2023

Recommendations for prescribed burning to control Eastern red cedar in pastures and rangeland, and fall hay inventory.

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

Crop Progress: Winter Wheat at 49% Good-Excellent Condition

November 28, 2023

With harvest complete in Nebraska, USDA NASS crop progress reports will transition to a monthly publication schedule until the 2024 growing season begins in April.

Hay in stacks — Producers should be mindful of their hay feeding practices to reduce financial loss — with no restrictions, cattle can waste nearly 45% of fed hay.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Reducing Hay Losses, Understanding Relative Feed Value of Hay

November 21, 2023

Extension educators share insights on how to reduce fed hay losses and the differences between relative feed value and relative forage quality when testing grass hay.

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

Crop Progress: Corn, Sorghum Harvest at 95% Complete

November 20, 2023

As of Nov. 19, corn and sorghum harvest reached 95% complete. While pasture conditions remained unchanged, soil moisture supplies improved slightly.

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