Pasture and Forage Minute

Alfalfa weevil is flaring up in some Nebraska fields—here's what the damage looks like, how to scout before and after first cutting, and when it may pay to cut early or treat. Samantha Daniels, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

As pastures begin to green up, now is the time to scout pastures for two persistent problems—leafy spurge and nonnative thistles like musk, plumeless, and Canada thistle. Both are Nebraska noxious weeds, and early spring is the best opportunity for control. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Smooth bromegrass and other cool-season grass hay fields are growing rapidly with seedheads beginning to appear. When do you typically cut your grass hay?  Ideally, cutting your grass hay so the grass nutrient content matches with the nutritional needs of your livestock is best. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

As we work our way through spring, many small grains are maturing fast and nearing harvest windows. Are you ready to make the most out of these forage options? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

The 2026 rangeland grasshopper risk map from the USDA indicates there may be increased grasshopper activity in the eastern panhandle and southwestern Nebraska. Keeping an eye on fields this spring and summer can help mitigate economic loss from grasshopper feeding. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Oats, spring triticale or barley planted early this spring will soon be ready for grazing. The potential seems great, but you may be disappointed if you don't graze it right. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

As spring temperatures rise across Nebraska, now's the time to plan your first alfalfa cutting. Getting that first cut right is more important than many realize—it sets the pace for the entire season. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Spring is busy getting crops in the ground, but if much needed moisture keeps you from the field, take some time to maintain your haying equipment and prevent costly downtime later. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

It is close to the ideal time to plant a summer annual grass, maybe to replenish your hay supply or have some extra grazing. Which one will you plant? Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

As spring green-up begins, producers may feel the urge to turn animals out to pasture. But the right time to start grazing often comes later than we might think. Before turnout, we need to answer two key questions: when should we start grazing, and which pastures should be grazed first? Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Grazing winter annuals such rye, winter wheat, or triticale commonly begins in April. All three of these forages can be very high in quality and reduce the need for feeding expensive hay while allowing additional time for spring growth of our perennial summer pastures. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

There are many producers looking at looking at ways to grow more forage for hay or pasture. Double cropping annual forages on irrigated cropland can be an option. With timely and adequate moisture, this can also be successful dryland as well. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Want a simple spring move that can boost early forage while quietly setting your pastures up for a better season? Consider flash grazing. Ben Beckman - Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Is your alfalfa field set up for success this season—or are there early spring clues you shouldn't ignore? Ben Beckman - Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Fertilizing cool-season grass pastures or hayfields is something producers do each year while accounting for forage needs, the value of the forage, and fertilizer costs. With high fertilizer costs this year, many producers are reconsidering this practice or reducing the amount that is applied. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Fresh spring growth is a welcome sight for producers looking for animal forage. However, lush spring growth may be the perfect condition for a case of grass tetany. While turn out may be a ways off, mitigating this risk starts now. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Spring is a time when we might be considering seeding some grass for pasture, hay or just to establish permanent plant cover for wildlife habitat. In some cases, this may involve attempting to improve or renovate an existing stand or establishing grass on former cropland or a disturbed site. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Wheat, triticale, and rye can all be used as dual-purpose crops for both forage and grain. But after the historic Nebraska rangeland wildfires this year, many producers are looking at them strictly as forage options. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

In Nebraska, alfalfa weevil scouting is generally recommended once 200 growing degree days have accumulated. Due to the warm temperatures we have been experiencing across the state, degree day accumulations have already reached over 300 in the east and over 600 in the southwest. These conditions mean scouting for alfalfa weevil is more important than ever. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

I've had several producers ask what to do when talking about drought conditions. While watching trigger dates and rainfall is important, it's just as critical to plan ahead for potential forage shortfalls. A forage budget helps match what your pasture can produce with what your livestock need to consume think of it like balancing a checkbook, but with grass. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Last fall, some pastures across Nebraska were hit hard by armyworms. This spring, those acres may be noticeably slower to green up and recover. If that is the case on your operation, the biggest thing right now is patience. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As temperatures begin to rise, don't' forget to take a bit of time to assess alfalfa stand health going into this year's growing season. Snow cover over the winter helped insulate plants from extreme temperatures, but exposed plants, older stands, or late harvested alfalfa still have a potential for winter kill. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Whether it is the possibility of drought or loss of pasture because of wildfire, some producers are considering using irrigated annual forages to bolster their grazing or hay supplies. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

This spring has already been a historic one for wildfires in Nebraska. Our thoughts are with the producers impacted, and our thanks go out to the fire crews and first responders who have put in long hours protecting lives, livestock, and property. As producers are able to assess damage and plan next steps, grazing management will be an important part of pasture recovery. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

With recent wildfires affecting parts of Nebraska, many producers are feeling overwhelmed and wondering what the first steps are after everything settles. Once everyone is safe and accounted for, there are two important steps to take right away. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

The incredibly mild winter we've experienced this year has accelerated the accumulation of growing degree days for one of our most significant forage pests: the alfalfa weevil. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

With a new growing season just around the corner, it is time to finalize the coming spring and summer's grazing and forage plans. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

This winter has been quite mild and dry across the state, with most locations experiencing periods of higher-than-normal temperatures and 77% of the state currently in drought. What do these conditions mean for insect survival this winter and pest pressure this spring and summer? Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Record winter high temperatures are causing earlier weeds emergence; so now is the time to control winter annual weeds in alfalfa. Thin field stands combined with open soil surfaces and adequate moisture can result in high weed pressure. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Irrigation and Cropping Systems Forage Educator.

In Nebraska, February is usually the halfway point of winter. And since we're on the back side of the season now, this is a good time to take stock of your feed resources—especially hay. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

This winter has been open and dry across most of Nebraska and according to the Drought Monitor, many areas are increasing in their drought classification intensity. We are a few weeks away from another growing season and who knows how much moisture lies ahead. Today I'll suggest some ways you can limit the forage problems drought could cause. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Are you considering establishing a new field of perennial forage grasses this spring or renovating an existing field? Seed selection, seedbed preparation, fertilization, methods of seeding, time and rate of seeding, and weed control are all an important part of the process. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Extremely dry winter conditions have many alfalfa, wheat and other forage producers considering possible late winter irrigation. Todd Whitney, Nebraska Irrigation and Cropping Systems Forage Educator.

Good cow nutrition is crucial following calving to get cows rebred. Today, let's look at the reason for using our top tier hay after calves hit the ground. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

With recent land purchases, some are asking questions to learn more about IRS Section 180 and how it may provide tax deductions in the year of purchase. Let's explore more about this tax code. Shannon Sand, Nebraska Ag Economics Extension Educator.

Alfalfa weevil is a serious pest of alfalfa and can cause significant damage, usually in April and May before the first cutting. Reports of reduced efficacy of pyrethroids in Nebraska as well as confirmed resistance to pyrethroids in several western states led to a project in 2025 to determine if Nebraska weevil populations are developing resistance. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.

Putting up hay is really a way of preserving forage by limiting moisture. As long as hay stays dry, it stays stable. While we often assume older hay means lower quality, losses are usually less about age and more about storage — once moisture shows up, quality begins to slip. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

If you're planning to seed alfalfa this year, one of the most important decisions you'll make happens before the planter ever rolls; and that's variety selection. Disease resistance should be part of that decision, especially when it comes to Phytophthora root rot and anthracnose. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

As pasture grazing leases are getting finalized for the 2026 season, it is important to make sure that some of the key details are clear and in writing. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Grass tetany and nitrate poisoning are issues that we typically associate with animals grazing. However, both issues can be a problem in winter when animal diets are limited by what they are fed. Is your herd safe from possible hay worries?

Are you looking to increase production from pastures or hay fields? Frost seeding or interseeding legumes might just work in your operation. Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Systems Specialist.

Are you planning to establish a new alfalfa stand this spring? Site selection, weed control, fertility, and seedbed preparation all matter—but variety selection plays a major role in determining how that stand performs over time. Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Forage Systems Educator.

Most of Nebraska has seen very little snow, with seasonal totals 1-12 inches below average in the east and 12-30 inches below average in the west. The absence of snow and the recent mild temperatures can have a significant impact on alfalfa when temperatures eventually drop. Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension Crops and Water Educator.