Pasture and Forage Minute

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.

Fall armyworms have been hitting pastures and alfalfa fields this fall, leaving producers wondering: will my forage recover? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Amid market volatility, some producers may be exploring additional income opportunities, such as hunting. This often raises the question: who holds the hunting rights when land is leased? Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Pastures and hay meadows provide higher quality feed, are more productive, and require fewer inputs when they have good forage legumes growing in them. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Cheatgrass, sometimes called downy brome, or wild oats is an annual weedy grass that can be a problem in pastures, particularly in central and western Nebraska. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Allowing for alfalfa to winterize before dormancy is a key factor preventing winter kill across a stand.  Traditionally, my recommendation has been to time the last cutting for roughly 6 weeks before the first frost. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

After several dry falls in a row, this year may be shaping up a little differently. With recent rains and cooler weather, cool-season pastures like brome, bluegrass, and fescue could put on some extra growth. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Did you spray thistles this past spring and summer? If so, it would be a good idea to revisit those areas as there are likely some remaining or new growth that has occurred. Late September through early November is a key time to control thistles in pastures and hayland. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

In areas of eastern and south-central Nebraska, we have received reports of significant damage to fields from fall armyworm. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.