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.
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While we may be a ways off yet, greening spring pastures and growing cover crops are great opportunities for livestock to graze and reduce the need for fed forage. This fresh growth also allows animals to start putting back on condition that may have been dropped over the winter months. However, this is also the perfect set of conditions for a case of grass tetany.
With everything to get done in the fall, low on the priority list might be planning for pasture improvements next year and weed control. However, some time spent on these topics this fall could pay dividends next year.
Corn residue can be a valuable grazing resource for cattle. This year especially with a fairly dry fall and start to winter, stalks have maintained quality and been available for grazing for quite some time. Typically, corn residue can run around 5-6% Crude Protein (CP) and 50-60% total digestible nutrients (TDN) which is a measure of energy. For some classes of livestock this may be enough to get by without supplementation, but for others, some extra feed is required.
Making, transporting, and feeding hay is a large investment in time, equipment, and money. How can you reduce loss of hay during feeding to make that investment go further?
Eastern red cedar trees are a significant and expanding problem across many pasture and rangeland acres in Nebraska. When fire is planned and controlled properly, it can be a very useful tool to control these unwanted plants.
Any farmer worth their salt knows the importance of fertilizing a crop for optimal production. Often, this common knowledge stops at row crops or high value hay like alfalfa. Could a look at your fertility improve pasture and grass hay production next year?