Tractor and grain truck harvesting silage
Though delaying small grain harvest can produce higher yields, it also decreases crude protein content. Producers should consider the animal being fed and feeding method before harvesting to get the most out of these crops.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Preparing for First Cutting Alfalfa, Small Grain Harvest Strategies

May 14, 2024
With the first harvest of 2024 beginning soon, producers should take this time to perform equipment maintenance and strategize the timing of alfalfa and small grains harvest based on operational needs.

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Corn field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Corn, Soybean Planting Running Behind 2023 Pace

May 13, 2024
With drier weather last week, Nebraska farmers began to close the gap on planting delays, but corn and soybean remain 15-18% behind last year's progress for this time of year.

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Musk thistle
For pastures with noxious weed thistles like this musk thistle, now is the time for spring herbicide applications, while the plants are still in the short rosette to bolted growth stages prior to flowering. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Selecting Summer Forages, Thistle Control Options

May 9, 2024
Insights on pasture rental rates, selecting summer forage based on needs for your operation, and control options for noxious weed thistles in pastures.

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Corn field
Historical crop progress data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Crop Progress: Rain Delays Slow Planting Progress

May 6, 2024
Nebraska's recent turbulent weather caused some setbacks for corn and soybean planting, with corn planting now almost 20% behind last year's pace.

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Army cutworm eating wheat
Army cutworm larva chewing on a blade of wheat. (CropWatch file photo)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Fertilizing Cool-season Pasture, Army Cutworm Control

April 29, 2024
Extension educators review timelines for turnout to summer pastures, calculating returns on fertilizing cool-season pastures, and tips for scouting army cutworm in alfalfa fields.

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Alfalfa field irrigated by center pivot
Early season irrigation linked with first cutting alfalfa can potentially lower water use sharply, as transpiration is lower when the leaf foliage is removed.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Early Season Irrigation, Controlling Alfalfa Weevil

April 23, 2024
This week, extension educators discuss strategies for early season irrigation of alfalfa to lower seasonal water use, controlling alfalfa weevil and flash grazing in spring to mitigate early pasture weeds.

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Cow in tall grass
Making a decision on when to graze winter annuals such rye, winter wheat or triticale in the spring should depend on plant growth — ideally, the best time to graze is when the plants are about five to six inches tall.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Annual Forage Webinar Series, Improving Alfalfa Stands

April 17, 2024
Extension educators introduce a new webinar series for producers interested in adding an annual forage rotation to their operation, plus insights on grazing spring cereal grains and options for thin alfalfa stands.

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Cow standing in pasture
This webinar on pasture lease considerations features discussion by Anastasia Meyer, extension agricultural economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability; and Aaron Berger, livestock systems educator, Nebraska Extension.

Pasture Lease Provisions in 2024

April 11, 2024
This Center for Agricultural Profitability webinar reviews lease provisions that producers should have in pasture leases, as well as information about beef cow share agreements.

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