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.
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
Sustainability in agriculture is vital for the success of producers and our rural communities. Defined as a holistic approach to farming that emphasizes environmental stewardship, economic profitability, and social equity, sustainable agriculture seeks to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs.
Typically, alfalfa needs six weeks of uninterrupted growth before the first hard frost to winterize. By planning on six weeks, we ensure any plants that need longer to winterize have the time to do so, as well as provide insurance against an early frost. The first hard freeze dates for northeast Nebraska fall around the middle of October, so counting back 6 weeks, final cuttings should be wrapping up soon. Allowing alfalfa to successfully winterize is key to having productive stands next spring and reducing long term losses in your alfalfa stand.
Late summer always seems like a time when weeds can become quite noticeable in pastures. While they may be an eye sore, control methods now are limited. Proper ID can help with making the right management call. Improved grazing management and timed herbicides for the best window of control so herbicides won’t be needed as often in the future.
Time to harvest corn silage is fast approaching. When evaluating whether to harvest a field for silage or grain, the issue of how to price and value the corn is often a point of uncertainty and is subject to variability. Corn silage is usually priced at one of three points—standing in the field, packed in the silo, and delivered in the bunk.
Silage inoculants are a powerful tool for farmers and cattle owners looking to optimize their silage quality and ensure a stable, high-quality feed supply for their livestock. By improving fermentation efficiency, enhancing aerobic stability, and offering economic benefits, inoculants can play a critical role in forage management. As with any agricultural input, the key is to understand how these products work and to use them strategically to maximize their benefits.