Ben Beckman

Spring is a busy time for producers, balancing fieldwork and calving season. Unfortunately, some tasks may slip through the cracks, including ensuring calves receive adequate colostrum.

Winter cereals planted last fall can be a great forage resource for producers this spring. As plants begin to snap out of their winter dormancy, proper management is key to getting optimal use.

Ben Beckman Extension Educator An invasive tick that has not yet been confirmed in Nebraska, but has been detected in nearby states, is worth keeping on the radar this grazing season.

A good bull is the cornerstone of any cow-calf operation. Cows influence the genetic makeup of only one calf each year, but a bull has the opportunity to have an impact on 20 to 50 calves depending on the breeding season.

A good bull is the cornerstone of any cow-calf operation. Cows influence the genetic makeup of only one calf each year, but a bull has the opportunity to have an

This spring, some producers are seeing cool-season pastures that are slower to green up than expected. In some cases, it is more than just slow growth. There are large dead patches where old litter is still present, but very little desirable grass is coming back underneath. A few weeds may be coming through, but much of the grass itself is thin, weak, or dead.

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.

Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Pastures are greening up, but this spring that green-up may be slower and thinner than we would like.

After a spring freeze, alfalfa fields can look rough in a hurry. Leaves may wilt, turn black or look water-soaked, and stems may bend over or lie flat. When that happens, the natural question is: “Do I need to do something?”

With first cutting alfalfa, comes the annual appearance of alfalfa weevils chewing through stands and destroying yields and quality. Proper scouting, identification, and treatment are needed to properly handle these hay field pests.