Preparing Seedbeds for Late Summer Grass And Alfalfa Planting
August 8, 2008
August is an excellent time to plant alfalfa, irrigated pasture, or other grasses if you have moisture and do it right. Seedbed preparation, as well as good seed-to-soil contact and weed control, are essential to late summer plantings. Half-hearted seedbed preparation produces only half decent stands.
Thickening Existing Alfalfa Stands
August 8, 2008
Last spring many people had a tough time starting new alfalfa stands, and some older stands thinned out over the winter.
Remove Hay Bales Soon After Harvest
August 8, 2008
My recent travels through Nebraska showed me lots of hay. Much of it was being cut, but much of it was still in the middle of the field.
Plant Oats For Fall Pasture or Hay
August 8, 2008
Oats may be one of our best, but most under-used fall forages. It grows fast, thrives under cool fall conditions, has good feed value, and can produce over two tons of hay or pasture yet this year. It dies out over winter, so it protects soil without causing planting problems next spring.
USDA: Crop Conditions
August 8, 2008
For the week ending August 3, hot, dry conditions allowed producers to wrap-up wheat harvest but stressed dryland crops and livestock, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Temperatures averaged 3 degrees above normal across the state with many districts recordingtriple digit heat.
Nebraska Farm Real Estate Value and Cash Rents Higher
August 8, 2008
Nebraska's farm real estate value rose sharply during 2007, extending a trend that began in 1993, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Farm real estate value on January 1, 2008, averaged $1,460 per acre, a record high. This is up $230 per acre or 19% higher than last year's level.