Forage

Hay in stacks — Producers should be mindful of their hay feeding practices to reduce financial loss — with no restrictions, cattle can waste nearly 45% of fed hay.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Reducing Hay Losses, Understanding Relative Feed Value of Hay

November 21, 2023

Extension educators share insights on how to reduce fed hay losses and the differences between relative feed value and relative forage quality when testing grass hay.

Field of corn residue — As rain, snow and wind throughout the fall and winter can reduce cornstalk quality, it's important for producers to adjust their supplementation programs accordingly.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Considerations for Grazing Corn Residue

November 14, 2023

Extension educators review the impacts of weather on cornstalk quality and the benefits of grazing corn residue for both cattle and crop producers.

Cattle in snow-covered corn residue — Leaving stubble at the end of the growing season is a great way to catch snow, which will provide insulation to and prevent evaporation from the soil, protecting forages in the process.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Cornstalk Nutrition and Winter Forage Snow Cover

November 6, 2023

Insights on the nutritional value of cornstalk grazing and the importance of leaving stubble at harvest to help build snow cover.

Stacked hay bales — Quality hay probes and good sampling techniques are important factors for accurate hay test results and will help producers save money on supplemental feed during the winter.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Winter Grazing Pastures and Hay Testing

November 2, 2023

Extension educators review considerations for managing livestock nutrition during the winter, from grazing pastures to feeding quality hay.

Cattle grazing corn residue — Sorghum stems are a little higher in quality than the corn stem, but care is still needed if cows are forced to graze the lower stems due to the potential of prussic acid toxicity immediately following a frost.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing Grain Sorghum Stover and Corn Residue

October 26, 2023

A review of the pros and cons of grazing sorghum and corn residue, and how to maximize the nutritional benefits of each.

Irrigating alfalfa field during autumn — For irrigated alfalfa, targeted fall irrigation may help the long-term strength of the stand, as well as refill soil profiles that were depleted during the summer.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Grazing and Fall Irrigation of Alfalfa

October 18, 2023

The pros and cons of grazing fall alfalfa, and capturing the benefits of targeted fall alfalfa irrigation after a dry year.

Cattle grazing pasture — Cattle graze in tall grasses. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Grass and Grazing Webinar Series Scheduled in October and November

October 12, 2023

The webinar series will cover topics of grass species selection, calculating stocking rates, developing grazing plans, understanding insurance as a drought risk management tool, and more.

Nebraska Extension Provides Cover Crop Grazing Conference Nov. 7

October 12, 2023

This expo will help first-time and experienced farmers looking to fine-tune their grazing management utilizing cover crops as an alternative forage source.

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