Nebraska is nationally known as the Beef State. Our team provides research-based information and resources to beef producers to help them provide an economical, safe, quality product to consumers while protecting and preserving Nebraska's vast natural resources.

Active in all 93 counties and at beef.unl.edu

Livestock Systems

Click to view Archived News Articles by Ben Beckman
Ben Beckman is a beef systems Extension Educator serving the counties of Antelope, Cedar, Knox, Madison and Pierce.  He is based out of the Cedar County Extension office in Hartington.  You can reach him by phone: (402) 254-6821 or email: ben.beckman@unl.edu.

Were you expecting more from last year’s alfalfa yields? Did your plants get enough time to winterize in the fall or are you concerned about winter kill? Evaluating your alfalfa stand in the spring is key to planning management and setting expectations for this year.
While not as ubiquitous in Nebraska as it is for our neighbors to the south and east, tall fescue is still a prevalent perennial grass in many eastern Nebraska pastures. Fescue can be a great forage resource in pastures, but the risk of endophyte infection makes proper management key.
Producers raising alfalfa may want to pay close attention to their stands this time of year. Before alfalfa plants begin to grow there is a short window of opportunity to control some pesky weeds in our stand; winter annuals.
Spring is fast approaching and producers looking for a bit of extra forage to supplement low hay stocks this year may consider planting a spring crop. Spring oats are one option that can be planted early, produce a large amount of high-quality forage, and are adaptable to fit your particular system.
While forage crops may not always be the main product for most producers, they do play an important role in our production systems, particularly for those of us who own livestock. Don’t forget in your planning this year to give time and consideration to forages. Having a clear idea of the goals and expectations you have for a forage crop are critical to planning success.