Pasture and Forage Minute

As the new year begins, it is important to look back at pasture and forage production conditions to understand what to focus on for the coming year. Stick around an I’ll reflect on forage and pasture production conditions in 2025. Daren Redfearn, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Specialist.

Producers face a variety of challenges when managing livestock herds and the forage crops grown to feed them. In many ways, the implementation of technology can help to streamline the management process and improve operation efficiency and productivity. An important and increasingly popular example of this technology is drones. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

How much feed or hay do you have going into winter? Will you have enough feed to provide for current cattle numbers? An inventory now before winter hits full swing could be helpful. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

It’s that time of year again, time when we close the prior year’s books and finalize tax reporting. According to IRS regulations, a 1099 form must be issued to non-employees who are paid over $600 in a calendar year. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

It’s that time of year again. Time when we need to start preparing for taxes. Most people probably know that farmers and ranchers’ last day to file taxes is March 1st. So it’s important to make sure we have everything together. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Fall rain and snow are good for wheat and next year’s crops, but it does have its drawbacks. One challenge is its impact on corn stalk feed quality. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Hay is expensive and many long hours go into harvesting, storing, and feeding it. Don’t waste up to a third of it by using poor feeding practices. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

To lighten the workload when feeding hay, we often take short cuts and leave some twine or net wrap on the bales. And whether we want them to or not, animals eat some of that twine. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Cold winters help prevent many potential pest insects from being established in Nebraska or require species that cannot survive our winters to migrate from southern states each year. The insects that are adapted to overwinter in Nebraska have several methods for avoiding winter conditions. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Fall is a popular time to collect soil samples from pasture and hay fields for nutrient testing. Time invested in soil sampling generally provides a good return on investment versus soil lab testing costs. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Irrigation and Cropping Systems Forage Educator.

When deciding pasture decisions for the season, partial budgeting can help evaluate whether replanting, rotating or renovating pasture is the most economical choice. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Corn residue is a valuable resource for grazing, but some producers believe cattle performance has declined with the rise of Bt corn hybrids. While Bt traits protect corn against pests like corn borer, it has led some to question whether these hybrids affect the nutritional quality of corn residue. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As winter approaches, corn residue offers a practical, low-cost grazing option for livestock. However, many landowners worry that it might hurt crop yield or soil health. Is that true? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Eastern red cedar trees are a significant and expanding problem across many pasture and rangeland acres in Nebraska. When fire is planned and controlled properly, it can be a very useful tool to control these unwanted plants. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Looking for ways to stretch feed supplies and lower winter feed costs? One option that’s gaining attention is grazing standing milo. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Grazing stockpiled winter range or pastures has several benefits. It is much less costly compared to feeding hay. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Bean fields are opening up after harvest and cows may be moving in to get them off pasture when other forage options are unavailable. Soybean residue or stubble can occasionally be baled and used in rations. Before we use it however, we need to set expectations. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

When planted early, fall planted cereal rye can provide excellent cold-tolerant late fall grazing and more grazing again in the spring. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Irrigation and Cropping Systems Forage Educator.

Southern rust has made noticeable impacts on corn fields in Nebraska this year.  As these fields open for grazing following harvest, many are wondering — does rust affect how we manage livestock on those acres? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

When corn and sorghum plants die pre-maturely due to drought stress, lower-quality stover residue may result. Both corn residue and sorghum stover can be good nutrition for mid-to-late-gestation cattle following fall grain harvest. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Irrigation and Cropping Systems Forage Educator.

As fall progresses, temperatures continue to drop and chances of a freeze grows. When frost hits the Great Plains and Midwest, do you know the impact on forages and how livestock can be kept safe? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Every fall, there can be some situations where there can be the potential to graze alfalfa. In some cases, the alfalfa may not have been big enough to warrant haying or maybe you have an alfalfa field that is adjacent to some cornstalks. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

For livestock producers, managing risk often means using more than one tool. Three insurance programs Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF); Annual Forage (AF); and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) can be good options to complement each other to protect both feed supply and livestock value. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Fresh forage options in the fall often come with strings attached. While the potential for high quality grazing is present, knowing the risks that may come along is critical to make the most out of these forage resources. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Fall is hear and hay season is wrapping up. As you bring in your round bales for winter feeding, are you storing them in a way to minimize weather losses? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.