Pasture and Forage Minute

Inter-seeding cool-season perennial grasses into older alfalfa stands has been a good option to increase the productivity of that field. If planning a new alfalfa seeding this year, using a grass and alfalfa mixture can also have some advantages. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

It’s that time of year when the preliminary results for Nebraska Ag land and rental rates comes out. On average in 2025, the market value for all agricultural land in Nebraska was $3,935 per acre this is a 2% decrease from the previous year. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

As temperatures begin to rise, don’t’ forget to take a bit of time to assess alfalfa stand health going into this year’s growing season. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As we enter the final weeks of winter and look towards the 2025 growing season, this is a great time to review your insect scouting program to ensure accurate and timely management of insect pests in your pasture acres. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

As we enter the final weeks of winter and look towards the 2025 growing season, this is a great time to review your insect scouting program to ensure accurate and timely management of insect pests in your alfalfa. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

What should you consider when making a pasture lease agreement? When leasing pastureland, here are some crucial factors to think about prior to signing a leasing agreement. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Now is the time to control winter annual weeds in alfalfa. Thin field stands combined with open soil surfaces and adequate moisture can result in high weed pressure. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Forage Agronomist.

While we are still just in late winter, it is never too early to start thinking about the coming spring and summer’s grazing and forage plans. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

The time for spring planting alfalfa is just around the corner, and selecting the right seed is crucial. Two traits we should take extra time to consider are fall dormancy and winter survival. These traits are often treated the same, but are different. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

The time for spring planting alfalfa is just around the corner and two traits often confused, are fall dormancy and winter survival. Let’s look at fall dormancy today. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Often, the terms Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and energy are used interchangeably when discussing forages and feeds, but realistically TDN is one measurement of energy.

Last fall and this winter has been dry leaving most parts of the state in some level of drought. We are a few weeks away from another growing season and who knows how much moisture lies ahead. Today I’ll suggest some ways you can limit the forage problems drought could cause. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Good cow nutrition is crucial following calving to get cows rebred. Today, let's look at the reason for using our top tier hay after calves hit the ground. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Acid Detergent Fiber or ADF and Neutral Detergent Fiber or NDF both show up on forage tests, but measure different aspects of digestibility. Today, let’s look at the difference. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

In Nebraska, February is typically the halfway mark through winter. As we move toward the later half of the season, now may be a good time to take stock of feed resources. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Are you looking to increase production from pastures or hay fields? Frost seeding or interseeding legumes might just work in your operation. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

While water demands in the winter may be less than summer, keeping water available can be difficult. Having animals eat snow may be tempting, but requires an experienced herd, plenty of fresh snow, and healthy animals. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As pasture grazing leases are getting finalized for the 2025 season, it is important to make sure that some of the key details are clear and in writing. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Farmers and ranchers regularly pay for services from individuals who are not their fulltime employees. Under IRS regulations, a 1099 form should be issued to certain non-employees who perform services and are paid over $600 in a calendar year. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Grass tetany and nitrate poisoning are issues that we typically associate with animals grazing.  However, both issues can be a problem in winter when animal diets are limited by what they are fed. Is your herd safe from possible hay worries? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

With forecasted bitterly cold temperatures across Nebraska, producers may be wondering if overwintering insect pests could be killed, and their populations reduced. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

While we are still early in the new year, it is time to start thinking about any spring annual forages that we might plant. Part of the process may be anticipating a need for extra feed or booking seed early for possible discounts. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

So far this year, much of Nebraska has yet to receive measurable snowfall. Hopefully this pattern doesn’t last too long as the benefits of snow cover to winter forages, especially alfalfa, are significant. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Are you considering establishing a new alfalfa stand this coming spring? Site selection, proper weed management, good fertilization and seedbed preparation are all crucial steps for a successful stand. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

As we kick off the new year, people often take time to look back on the past and make plans or resolutions for what’s to come.  We can do our own planning for forage production in 2025. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.