Latest News From Pasture-Forage

Ten counties in Nebraska had fall adult grasshopper populations that averaged over 15 per square yard. Low precipitation the last few years helps boost grasshopper infestations, and the need for damage control.

Keith Harmoney, K-State range scientist in Hays, has developed a decision tree that provides some guidelines given a pasture’s current soil moisture condition and the relative level of stress on the pasture last year.

Missouri forage producers should begin removing seed heads from tall fescue grass pastures soon to reduce toxic endophytes that thwart herd health and profits.

USDA’s proposed rule change to the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) framework has given rise to several recurring arguments which offer confusion and distraction. 

Now is the time to check for ergot, a toxic fungus which infects the surface of grasses and cereal crops and can cause severe illness in livestock such as cattle and horses.

Resist the temptation to turn cattle out before grass is ready and use caution if there is no other option. Management practices now can have lasting impacts.

While drought does not lead to ideal parasite growing conditions, it does not necessarily mean the threat of parasites no longer exists. Here are some management considerations heading into the 2023 grazing season.

While drought hits all portions of an operation hard, being strictly focused on the herd and the immediate concerns about feeding or finding a place for cattle often leads to the impacts on our pastures being overlooked.

With persistent drought conditions across many states, indications show the current cattle cycle may not be nearing an end anytime soon. Here’s a look a historical trends and what we might expect in the coming months.

Milk fever, winter/grass tetany and pregnancy toxemia are the three most common diseases associated with poor or improper diets. Good stewardship includes providing nutrients to keep cows healthy.

As spring nears and grass begins to turn green, producers are anxious to get cows out to grass. However, cool season predominate areas tend to have lush spring growth which can lead to grass tetany in cows.

As we deal with drought stressed pastures, there may be value in being “ahead of the game” in your pasture management plan this year, says Johnson.

It’s no secret that rotational grazing is an important practice used by producers to improve the natural resources they have available, but where can you go to get started and what does that first step look like?

So-called “sacrifice pastures” might be needed to help promote forage production the rest of this cattle grazing season.

With large economic losses attributed to parasites, many forms of parasite control have been developed to target unique operational goals. Treating with feed and mineral supplements has been growing in favor.

Weeds impact the performance of the rest of your forages and can even be detrimental to the health of your livestock if they are poisonous. Here's some strategies cattle producers can use to prevent and control them.

Recurring drought calls for forage producers to get back to the basics of farming and prepare for the inevitable – there’s going to be drought.

Fixing fences in the spring can be quite a task. Neil Mentzer of Gallagher shares his favorite fencing tips and tools to help make spring fencing tasks easier and ensure cattle stay where they belong.

As growing conditions improve on wheat pastures that have been grazed short all winter long, the threat of bloat rises. Here's how to combat the onset of bloat in grazing calves.

While some parts of the U.S. remain in drought conditions and the soil moisture profile is in a deficit due to months of below normal precipitation, grass growth will likely be impacted this spring.

As the carbon market continues to develop, a multitude of factors lend to its complexity. These intricacies weigh heavy on the minds of many ranchers entertaining the idea of partaking in the carbon market.

The grazing season will be here before we know it. Providing water for your herd looks different depending on your grazing system, but there are a few things all producers need to know.

As rainfall patterns become more extreme, pasture managers will need to become increasingly proactive.

Although some recent moisture has reduced drought in Oklahoma, over 80 percent of the state remains in some stage of drought. Cattle producers face considerable challenges to maintain herds through winter.

Dual purpose wheat for grazing and grain production is a major enterprise in the Southern Great Plains. Research at OSU showed the first hollow stem is the critical stage to minimize grazing damage to grain yields.

With hay supplies extraordinarily tight and winter still here, both wheat stocker producers and cow-calf producers are looking for forage sources to get by until stockers are sold or grass greens up for grazing.

High fertilizer prices and drought in 2022 handed hay production in the United States its biggest decline in 11 years with stocks at their lowest level since data collection began, according NASS.

When calves on grass drop like flies, have minimal gains and many carcasses are condemned on the rail, Kansas State University experts uncover the unfortunate cause.

Who loves winter fencing? Here's a look at some tips and strategies for working around the challenges winter throws at cattle producers when it comes to the not-so-loved winter task.

Producers can prepare for drought by adding warm-season forages to pastures that grow during the warm, dry conditions of midsummer known as the “summer slump."

Reports of fescue foot in Missouri has extension specialists urging producers to check herds for warning signs of the disease in January when it most often occurs.

Drought continues to impact ranchers on the Northern Plains. Fall and early winter grazing can impact the subsequent year’s production if grazing use is close to severe.

As grazing or forage-based livestock, cattle present a few challenges when it comes to mineral intake. However, here’s several considerations to help you provide the best nutrition to your herd.

Reintroduction of native grasses like Big Bluestem and Indiangrass in areas where tall fescue has been grown for cattle forage will be part of a study on carbon sequestration with the University of Arkansas.

Grazing regrowth on irrigated alfalfa fields is likely in fall grazing plans for many producers. However, alfalfa has several challenges to grazing from animal and plant health perspective.

Grazing management in the fall can have significant impacts on forage production during the subsequent growing season.

There are three critical time periods that occur during drought, including immediately before, during and following drought. What happens to forage plants during and after a drought?

There is often fear associated with grazing alfalfa due to bloat potential or hurting the alfalfa stand. However, with proper management, fall and winter grazing may be an option to harvest quality feed.

Virtual fencing system provides advanced technology to cattle producers and ranchers to manage natural resources more effectively.

The U.S. hay supply is at a 50-year low. Couple this with rising costs and it becomes prudent to plan fall, winter and next spring’s hay needs sooner rather than later.

Winter is coming and though simply finding hay for your cattle may be a relief, it's important to remember that not all hay is created equal.

For 2022, the national average for cash rents on cropland is $148 per acre. That’s up $7 from last year and eclipsed the previous high of 2015’s $144 per acre.

Premium cut quality, ease of maintenance and durability define new mid-sized trailed mower line.

Developing a supplementation strategy with precision that includes technologies to improve feed efficiency regardless of stocking method is fundamental to maximizing resources.

As expenses increase and producers evaluate more-efficient management techniques to lower production costs, one alternative may be to incorporate swath, or windrow grazing.

Blister beetles are appearing in large numbers in Missouri and entomologists warn the beetle's toxin, called cantharidin, can cause animals to become sick and even die.

Dry Conditions. Unabated cow slaughter. High Prices. This list of known factors weighs on the unknowns of the future to be seen in the cattle industry. Scott Brown shares insight to what we may see in the coming months.

Both summer and fall are important times for ranchers to keep an eye on cattle that graze where Johnsongrass is present, due to the risk of prussic acid toxicity.

Amid continuing drought, the 2022 hay supply data illustrate why so much herd liquidation has occurred this year. It also speaks to the continuing challenges that cattle producers will face to get through the winter.

All plants can contain some nitrate, but buildup of nitrates to toxic levels in forage plants can occur. Nitrate is not particularly toxic to cattle, at normal levels, but how much is 'too much?'