Pasture and Forage Minute

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

Grazing winter annuals such rye, winter wheat, or triticale commonly begins in April.  All three of these forages can be very high in quality and reduce the need for feeding expensive hay while allowing additional time for spring growth of our perennial summer pastures. 

Timing grazing should depend plant growth, not a specific date.  Begin grazing when the plants are about 5 to 6 inches tall and manage to keep the maximum height at 8 to 10 inches.  A good starting point is about 0.5 cow or 1 stocker calf per acre in early spring and increasing from there.  Rotational grazing with higher stocking densities can assist with keeping the plant maturity more uniform and reduce selective grazing. Look ahead 1 or 2 pastures and move based on how the plants are recovering in those pastures. These forages grow and recover from grazing fast. 

The most common mistake when grazing spring small cereals is letting the grass get ahead of the cattle.  It is important to increase stocking density as the spring progresses to ensure grazing can keep up with the rapid forage growth. This can be achieved by either adding more cattle or reducing the number of acres being grazed. 

Like most cool-season grasses in early spring, small cereal forages are also high in potassium. This means there is a need to provide supplemental magnesium as potassium interferes with magnesium availability to the animal. A free choice mineral with a targeted 4 oz per day intake should contain at least 10% magnesium to prevent grass tetany in lactating cows and 5% magnesium to increase gains in stocker calves.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman. 

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

As spring green-up begins, producers may feel the urge to turn animals out to pasture. But the right time to start grazing often comes later than we might think. Before turnout, we need to answer two key questions: when should we start grazing, and which pastures should be grazed first?

The amount of grass growth by a given date varies from year to year depending on spring temperatures and precipitation. That is why basing turnout on a calendar date rarely works well. Initial spring growth comes from energy reserves stored in the roots and crowns of the grass plant. Grazing too soon can deplete those reserves and reduce production because not enough leaf area is present to fully support photosynthesis and regrowth. To give plants time to recover, wait until cool-season grasses reach at least the 3- to 4-leaf stage before grazing begins, whether in mixed pastures or straight cool-season stands.

This year, with a warmer-than-average spring and dry conditions since last fall, delaying turnout, if possible, is recommended. This will allow grass plants to maximize growth given current soil moisture conditions and result in greater season-long production.

Which pastures are grazed first matters too. Changing the grazing sequence from year to year helps improve plant vigor by avoiding repeated stress at the same time each year. This is especially critical for native range or mixed pastures. Introduced grasses like crested wheatgrass and smooth brome can handle early-season grazing pressure better, so grazing them first is often a good strategy. This allows more time before turnout on native pastures.

This spring, patience at turnout may be one of the best ways to protect pasture health and make the most of the grass you have.

With today’s Pasture & Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman.

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

There are many producers looking at looking at ways to grow more forage for hay or pasture.  Double cropping annual forages on irrigated cropland can be an option.  With timely and adequate moisture, this can also be successful dryland as well.

Successful double cropping of annual forages requires good planning and timely operations.  A common combination includes a cool-season winter annual like rye, triticale, or wheat that is currently being grazed or will be hayed in May or June followed by the planting of a warm-season annual forage.  Similarly, something like oats that was planted this spring is followed by a warm-season annual.

If grazing is planned as the primary use of the warm-season annual, then sudangrass or pearl millets are good choices.  With adequate moisture, the summer annual grass will be ready to graze in forty-five to fifty days and may last through September.

Another strategy is to plant the warm-season annual grasses first in mid- to late May.  Graze portions of them out in August, then plant oats or turnips or both for late fall and winter grazing.  When planting oats or any other cool-season for fall forage, remember that production will be reduced if planting is delayed into later August or early September.

Of course, adequate moisture or irrigation is needed for these options to produce both double crops.  Thus, it is wise to have a nearby pasture where animals can be placed and fed temporarily if extra time is needed to grow sufficient forage for grazing.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist, Jerry Volesky.
 

As pastures green up this spring, there may be an opportunity for producers to get some early forage and manage weeds, flash grazing. This can be particularly beneficial for early weeds like cheatgrass or downy brome. Especially problematic in the western parts of the state, cheatgrass greens up early, outcompete native species, and create fine fuels that increase wildfire risk.

Targeted flash grazing—short-duration, high-intensity grazing—can suppress cheatgrass if timed right. The best window is during the elongation phase, just before seed set. This is when animals prefer it, nutritional value is fairly high, before it robs your pastures of moisture and nutrients, and most importantly, before it reseeds itself for the next year.

Flash grazing doesn’t have to be limited to cheatgrass. In eastern Nebraska, pastures hit by drought last year can expect a flush of spring and summer weeds. Flash grazing offers a chance to control those weeds while providing valuable early forage—especially if you're delaying full pasture turnout to allow for regrowth.

Similarly in native pastures being invaded by cool season introduced species like smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, flash grazing can be a useful tool. Turn out early, before warm season species begin their growth (before late-May) and graze hard.  The cool season grasses will be targeted, and warm season natives will have a chance to better compete for resources later. 

Strategic spring grazing won’t solve every weed problem, but it can jump-start your pasture’s productivity. 

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman. 

Were you expecting more from last year’s alfalfa yields? Did your plants get enough time to winterize in the fall? Do you have concerns about stand winter kill? Evaluating your alfalfa stand in the spring is key to planning management and setting expectations for this year.

As stands begin greening up, alfalfa stand assessment can be completed using a hay square as a quick and easy way to look at the overall stand health. While we call it a hay square, square or circle shapes work equally well.  A 17 x 17 inch square or 19 inch in diameter circle are the size needed.

Next, determine what to count. There are two options when evaluating your stand: 1) by the number of plants per square foot (typically recommended for new stands, planted last fall) and 2) by the number of stems for established stands. Stem count will more accurately predict yield compared to plant number. However, either method will provide information for making management decisions. 

Randomly select 4 to 5 areas in your field to sample. Then count the plants or stems that would be harvested, typically anything over 6 inches, to determine your count. Then divide those numbers by 2 to get stems or plants per square foot. For established stands, having 4 to 5 healthy plants per square foot or 55 stems per square foot would warrant a productive and healthy stand. Fields with stem counts below 55 see a significant decrease in dry matter production.

For stands planted last fall, you will see more plants per square foot compared to stems. Remember, a good rule of thumb is, for every pound of seed planted, expect 3 to 5 plants. New plantings that contain fewer than 12 plants per square foot may need to be reseeded.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman.    

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

Fertilizing cool-season grass pastures or hayfields is something producers do each year while accounting for forage needs, the value of the forage, and fertilizer costs.  With high fertilizer costs this year, many producers are reconsidering this practice or reducing the amount that is applied.  Very important to remember is that adequate precipitation is needed to realize the grass response to the fertilizer. 

Fertilization of smooth bromegrass pastures should occur in spring through early May. If the nitrogen is a single application, usually between 80 to 100 lbs of actual N per acre is suggested for eastern Nebraska.  The recommended application rate declines westward across the state with about 30 to 40 lbs N per acre suggested for the Panhandle. 

If doing split applications, usually it's 2/3 in the spring and 1/3 in the fall when growth resumes on the cool season grasses. With fertilized pasture, be sure to include a rotational grazing plan that will effectively harvest the extra forage and provide the greatest return on the fertilizer investment.  Also remember that adequate moisture is needed with fertilizer applications.  

Soil tests could also be conducted to determine more exact amounts needed, particularly for any phosphorus, potassium or sulfur that could be applied.

Research conducted in Eastern Nebraska has shown a 30% increase in forage yield with fertilization and the economic optimum rate is between 80 to 120 lbs per acre. A crude protein increase from 16 to 20% was seen with fertilizer applications up to 160 lbs. That is a lot of fertilizer, but it did increase crude protein and organic matter digestibility while decreasing NDF or neutral detergent fiber. Always be aware when applying fertilizer, especially in pastures and fields near water sources such as ponds. 

Brome pastures are hardy, and we can and do graze them hard in Nebraska. Haying or grazing operations can benefit if managed correctly with fertilizer. 

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist, Jerry Volesky.
 

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

Fresh spring growth is a welcome sight for producers looking for animal forage.  However, lush spring growth may be the perfect condition for a case of grass tetany.  While turn out may be a ways off, mitigating this risk starts now.

Grass tetany is the result of low levels of magnesium in an animal’s blood stream.  Low magnesium levels in lush, newly growing grass are often a main cause. In lactating animals, low dietary magnesium paired with a drain on calcium from milk production increases risk even more. Calcium aids in magnesium absorption. This means, high milk producing and older animals are most at risk for developing tetany.

To prevent tetany problems this spring, it’s best to wait till grass in pastures has grown to at least 6 inches high before grazing.  Legumes like alfalfa or clover, are a good source of magnesium, so grazing mixed grass and legume pastures can help balance mineral demands.

While cultural practices can reduce risk, providing correct and adequate mineral supplementation may be the most certain remedy.  Cattle should be consuming 3-4 ounces daily of mineral containing supplemental calcium and 10-13% magnesium oxide. This should start at least 30 days before grazing begins, to ensure proper intake has been established.  

Most high magnesium minerals utilize magnesium oxide, which is bitter tasting and can reduce animal consumption.  Mix magnesium fortified mineral with salt into a complete package or feed with a highly palatable protein or energy supplement to improve intake

High magnesium mineral should be provided for animals until cool season grasses slow down growth and the levels of lush, fresh forage are reduced, around mid-May.  

Dealing with grass tetany in the spring doesn’t have to negatively impact your herd. Plan now to adjust grazing management or mineral supplementation for a tetany-free spring.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman.
 

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

Spring is a time when we might be considering seeding some grass for pasture, hay or just to establish permanent plant cover for wildlife habitat.  In some cases, this may involve attempting to improve or renovate an existing stand or establishing grass on former cropland or a disturbed site. 

To be successful, there are several important decisions that need to be made and guidelines to be followed.  The first of these is deciding the type and species of grass that would be best suited for the site and match the intended use.  General categories of grass include cool- or warm-season and native or introduced species.  For example, cool-season grasses like wheatgrasses, smooth bromegrass, and orchardgrass are excellent choices for pasture and/or hay.  For summer pasture or wildlife habitat, warm-season grasses such as switchgrass, indiangrass, the bluestems and gramas can work well.  Additionally, there may be choices of legumes or forbs that could be included with the grasses.  The soil type and average rainfall in your area would also affect the grass species you might select.

Important factors for successful grass establishment include proper seedbed preparation, method of seeding, weed control, and management of the newly emerged stand.  In many cases, it is useful to get a soil test to determine any fertilization needs for the site.  The ideal seeding rate and time of seeding will also vary depending on the grass species or mixture. 

Make sure the details of your grass seeding plans are complete.  For more information on this topic, search UNL Extension for ‘establishing dryland forage grasses.’  For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist, Jerry Volesky.

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

Wheat, triticale, and rye can all be used as dual-purpose crops for both forage and grain. But after the historic Nebraska rangeland wildfires this year, many producers are looking at them strictly as forage options. 

Traditionally, grazing begins once these cereals reach about 5 to 6 inches in height, usually in early April, and can continue into early May. If grain harvest is still the goal, cattle need to come off before jointing, or the hollow stem stage, to avoid reducing grain yield. If the plan is to graze out the crop entirely, though, the challenge becomes keeping plants vegetative and maintaining quality. Ideally, plants should stay under 10 inches when grazed, which can be difficult with rapid spring growth. Quick rotations and moving cattle before stubble drops below 3 to 4 inches can help maintain a vegetative stand when moisture is adequate.
 

Of the common cereal grains, rye tends to grow earlier because it handles cool spring conditions best. Triticale, on the other hand, may remain productive longer into June. Hay or silage can also be good options, especially if harvest is timed well. Awnless wheat and rye varieties are generally preferred for this use, although awned varieties can still work if harvested just before heading. After graze-out or forage harvest, those same acres may still be available for summer annuals like sorghum, sudangrass, or millet.
 

In the end, the best option will depend on forage needs, economics, available fencing and water, and how quickly you need those acres back into the next crop. With today’s Pasture & Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension’s Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman.
 

Here’s Today’s pasture and forage minute:

In Nebraska, alfalfa weevil scouting is generally recommended once 200 growing degree days have accumulated. Due to the warm temperatures, we have been experiencing across the state, degree day accumulations have already reached over 300 in the east and over 600 in the southwest. These conditions mean scouting for alfalfa weevil is more important than ever.

Alfalfa weevils are beetles that overwinter primarily as adults and emerge as temperatures warm and begin to lay eggs. Plant injury from feeding damage initially appears as pinholes in the terminal leaves, with leaves becoming skeletonized as feeding severity increases. 

To scout, randomly select 5 sites across the field and collect 10 stems at each site, cutting the stems at ground level. Beat the stems into a deep sided white bucket and count the number of larvae to determine the average number per stem. First instar larvae are 1.5mm long and grow to 9mm long at the final instar, or growth stage. They have a black head, wrinkled green body, and a white stripe running lengthwise along the top. Scouting is best done when larvae are most active, in the morning or on overcast days. A threshold table that includes alfalfa as short as 4 inches can be found on the Iowa State Extension website.

While there are several insecticides labeled for alfalfa weevil management, some Nebraska weevil populations may be losing susceptibility to the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin. Therefore, if you believe you have an infestation above threshold, contact your county Extension Office for further guidance.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Crops & Water Educator, Samantha Daniel

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

I’ve had several producers ask what to do when talking about drought conditions. While watching trigger dates and rainfall is important, it’s just as critical to plan ahead for potential forage shortfalls. A forage budget helps match what your pasture can produce with what your livestock need to consume think of it like balancing a checkbook, but with grass.

Step 1: Estimate Forage Availability
A good rule of thumb is that one inch of forage across an acre yields about 200 pounds of dry matter. So, if you have six inches of good-quality forage, that’s roughly 1,200 pounds per acre. Keep in mind that drought stress can reduce both yield and grazing efficiency, so conservative estimates are helpful.

Step 2: Calculate Herd Requirements
A 1,200-pound cow consumes about 2.5% of her body weight daily, or roughly 30 pounds of dry matter. For a herd of 100 cows, that’s about 3,000 pounds per day.

Step 3: Compare Supply and Demand
Divide your available forage by daily herd demand to estimate how many grazing days you have. If a gap shows up, that’s your signal to act early whether that means adjusting stocking rates, supplementing feed, securing hay, or exploring alternative forage options.

Example:
If you’re short 30 days at 3,000 pounds per day, that’s a 90,000-pound forage deficit. At $100 per ton for hay in today’s market, you would need about 45 tons, adding roughly $4,500 in feed costs.

Bottom line:
A forage budget turns uncertainty into a plan. Knowing your numbers allows you to make timely, cost-effective decisions that protect both your pasture and your bottom line.

Make your grass work for you know your forage budget.

For today’s pasture and forage minute I am Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Shannon Sand

Here’s todays pasture and forage minute:

Last fall, some pastures across Nebraska were hit hard by armyworms. This spring, those acres may be noticeably slower to green up and recover. If that is the case on your operation, the biggest thing right now is patience.

Armyworms can remove a lot of leaf area in a short amount of time. Even when stands remain intact, that late-season feeding can leave grasses stressed and force them to use up energy reserves before winter, rather than going into dormancy with a full tank. As a result, plants entered winter already run down.

That matters this spring. Early growth depends heavily on stored carbohydrate reserves. If those reserves were reduced last fall, growth can be slower, weaker, and less uniform. Add in dry conditions, cool weather, or heavy early grazing pressure, and recovery can lag even more.

So what can producers do? First, avoid the temptation to graze those acres too early. Turning out before plants have a chance to rebuild leaf area can slow recovery even further. Second, scout those pastures closely. If you find thin spots or weak areas, decide whether they simply need more rest or whether some overseeding or reseeding may be needed. Third, if fertility has been marginal, proper nutrient management may help support recovery, but time and rest are still the main tools.

Pastures damaged by armyworms last fall may just need a little extra grace this spring. Give them a chance to recover before making big decisions.

With today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator Ben Beckman.

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute.

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. Snow cover over the winter helped insulate plants from extreme temperatures, but exposed plants, older stands, or late harvested alfalfa still have a potential for winter kill. 

Even before plants begin to green up, individual plant assessments can be done.  While assessment before green-up occurs may seem a bit preemptive, pre-scouting now can focus scouting efforts to problem areas later on when time becomes precious during spring planting. 

Dig up 4-5 random plants per 20 acres, being sure to get the crown and a good portion of the tap root (around 6 inches at least).  Split the root and crown open. A healthy plant will be white and firm while winter damaged taproots will be yellow to brown in color and stringy. Yield will begin to be impacted when damage is greater than 30% of the total root/crown area.

Look for alive, in-tact basal buds at the crown of the plant.  Buds formed last fall will start growth sooner and boost first cutting yields.  A lack of basal buds doesn’t mean that the plant won’t recover, but first cuttings may be smaller.

If plants have begun growth, look at where it is occurring on the crown.  Healthy plants will have growth fully throughout the crown while damaged plants will often have asymmetrical growth with more stems on one side than the other.

If more than 30% of the plants assessed have significant damage, yield for the upcoming year may be impacted. Options like interseeding perennial grasses, seeding a warm season forage crop after the first harvest, or terminating the stand may need to be considered.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman. 

Here’s today’s pasture and forage minute:

Whether it is the possibility of drought or loss of pasture because of wildfire, some producers are considering using irrigated annual forages to bolster their grazing or hay supplies.

For spring or cool-season annual forages, we are in the planting period of late March to early April.  Soil temperatures this year are currently well above the recommended 42 to 45 degree range. Oats is probably the most common cool-season annual forage planted in Nebraska.  However, spring triticale or spring barley are two other small grain options that have been found to perform similarly to oats in terms of forage yield and quality. 

Also similar is the number of days until ready to begin grazing or hay; so, the different species could be mixed if desired.  One could look at seed cost of the different species before making a decision.   With the early spring planting date of the cool-season annuals, grazing can typically begin around the 3rd or 4th week of May and last into early July.  Haying usually take place around the 3rd week of June.

Following the cool-season forage, a warm-season annual such as sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, forage sorghum (which we often call cane or sorgo), foxtail millet, or pearl millet could be planted.  Systems can also be put together where different acres of cool- and warm-season annuals are planted to create the continuous availability of grazable forage from late spring though fall.

Remember to consider the herbicides that may have been used on a field the previous year.  Some herbicides may have long residuals that could hinder establishment even into this spring.  For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist, Jerry Volesky.

This spring has already been a historic one for wildfires in Nebraska. Our thoughts are with the producers impacted, and our thanks go out to the fire crews and first responders who have put in long hours protecting lives, livestock, and property. As producers are able to assess damage and plan next steps, grazing management will be an important part of pasture recovery.

While the aftermath of a wildfire can look severe, perennial pasture grasses are often more resilient than they first appear. With many still dormant early in the season, growing points and root systems are largely protected, and recovery is possible. But with this spring also looking dry, recovery may be slower, and our management decisions carry more weight than they would in a normal year.

One of the biggest concerns after a fire, especially on sandy soils, is the loss of residue and litter on the soil surface. That cover helps reduce erosion and conserve soil moisture as grasses begin regrowth.

Because of that, one of the most important grazing decisions after a wildfire is to delay turnout. In some cases, that may mean waiting longer than normal to let grasses regrow and rebuild before grazing pressure is added.

Stocking rates may also need to be reduced. If moisture stays limited, plants simply will not recover as quickly, so leaving adequate residue becomes even more important. Rainfall through May and June should guide turnout and stocking decisions.

Also be sure to assess fence damage before turnout. In partially burned pastures, expect cattle to concentrate grazing on the burned areas first, so temporary fence or adjustments in grazing timing and pasture use may be needed. If you’re making fencing or grazing changes after a fire, be sure to coordinate with FSA and NRCS ahead of time so needed documentation and program eligibility are not affected.

Recovery is coming, but this year it’s going to need some patience and a little rain.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator, Ben Beckman.

With recent wildfires affecting parts of Nebraska, many producers are feeling overwhelmed and wondering what the first steps are after everything settles. Once everyone is safe and accounted for, there are two important steps to take right away.​

First, take clear, date- and time-stamped photos and videos of any pasture, livestock, or infrastructure losses as soon as it’s safe to do so. This documentation is critical for insurance claims and for any government disaster assistance programs that may become available, and while it can be difficult after an already devastating event, thorough records will make recovering losses significantly easier.

Second, review your insurance policy carefully so you understand what is covered in the event of fire or smoke damage. Remember that some animals may not show visible signs of injury right away; smoke inhalation and other health effects can appear days after the fire, so monitor livestock closely in the days and weeks that follow and keep records of any veterinary visits or animal losses.

If you have questions about forage loss assessment, grazing recovery, or financial assistance options, contact your local Farm Service Agency office or your local Nebraska Extension educator.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I am Nebraska Agricultural Economics Extension educator Shannon Sand.

The incredibly mild winter we’ve experienced this year has accelerated the accumulation of growing degree days for one of our most significant forage pests: the alfalfa weevil. For example, areas in southwestern Nebraska have accumulated an average of 318 growing degree days compared to 134 at this time last year. In addition, Kansas State University recently announced that weevils are already active in Kansas. These factors indicate that early scouting for alfalfa weevil is critical this year.

In Nebraska, alfalfa weevil scouting is generally recommended once 200 growing degree days have accumulated. The western half of the state west of U.S. Highway 281 is at or well beyond this mark and the eastern half of the state isn’t far behind. Alfalfa producers are urged to begin scouting now, especially in fields that have broken dormancy. For fields that are still fully dormant, feeding damage from alfalfa weevil is less of a concern because they require green, growing foliage to thrive.

While there are several insecticides labeled for alfalfa weevil management, in Nebraska there have been reports of some products not performing as well as expected and resistant alfalfa weevil populations have been reported in several western states. Therefore, if you believe you have a significant early season infestation, contact your county Extension Office for further guidance.

For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Crops & Water Educator, Samantha Daniel

With a new growing season just around the corner, it is time to finalize the coming spring and summer’s grazing and forage plans.  Last fall and this winter has been dry leaving most parts of the state in some level of drought.  While we do not know for certain how much moisture lies ahead; long-term forecasts into this spring and summer suggest the possibility of drier than normal conditions.

With the possibility of droughty conditions for the coming season, an important first step is to develop or adjust a good forage and grazing drought plan for your operation. Some components of this might include things like stocking rates, turnout dates to summer pastures, purchasing any supplemental hay or feed, securing additional pasture, fertilizer decisions on introduced grass pastures, or seeding of any annual forages.

For spring or cool-season annual forages, the recommended planting period of late March to early April will be here soon.  Forages would include things like oats, spring barley, spring triticale, and field peas.  With that planting date, these would provide grazing beginning in late May through early July.

For the summer annual forages, the planting period is typically late May and on into the summer months.  This would include things like forage sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, pearl millet, and foxtail millet.  Additionally, other species or legumes that are typical of some cover crop mixes could be part of the package as well.  With a late-May or early-June planting of a summer annual, grazing should be available in July.

Planning ahead can help make your forage season run smoothly.  For today’s Pasture and Forage Minute, I’m Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist, Jerry Volesky.