Livestock

Managing Drought Risk on the Ranch

Two NRCS range specialists will discuss "Using a Drought Calculator to Assist Stocking Decisions" during an April 24 webinar, the fourth in this professional development series developed by the National Drought Mitigation Center. Speakers are Stan Boltz, state range management specialist for NRCS in South Dakota, and Jeff Printz, range management specialist for NRCS in North Dakota. The final webinar in the series will be May 29 and feature Matt Stockton, UNL agricultural economist, discussing "Economic Factors to Weigh in Making Decision During Drought." 

Each webinar includes a briefing on current drought status, followed by information on a specific topic or tool. To register for the April 24 webinar, contact Nicole Wall or Tonya Haigh. More information  including links to archived webinars and a Managing Drought Risk Planning Guide for Great Plains ranchers is available at Managing Drought Risk on the Ranch.

Grazing and Pasture Management During and After Drought

This winter has been warmer and drier than many Nebraska beef producers would have liked. While the start of the growing season is still a couple months away, producers should be planning now for the upcoming grazing season. This article, on Beef.unl.edu, links to several resources to help producers identify and consider various management options. It also links to a recent webinar, Grazing and Pasture Management During and After Drought with Jerry Volesky, UNL Extension range/forage specialist.

Conditions May Warrant Extended Cattle Supplements This Year

UNL research on livestock reproduction offers insight into why producers may want to adjust cattle nutrition during breeding season this year. Research shows that cattled bred on an increasing plane of nutrition have higher pregnancy rates than cattle bred on a declining plane of nutrition. In a more normal year a March calving herd in the Sandhills would have high quality forage in June when cows are bred. However, a May calving herd would be grazing August grass, which is likely to have lower protein levels as it matures. Generally, nutrition supplements would be recommended for the August "high risk" animals, but this year the entire herd may need supplementation due to lower quality spring forage. See more on this research in the UNL BeefWatch article. 

Growing Annual Forages

Uncertainty about pasture condition is leading many livestock growers to consider planting forages on dryland and irrigated acres this summer. Learn about commonly recommended varieties and how to achieve optimum production with limited irrigation. This article on the UNL Beef website links to a webinar as well as four Extension publications on the topic.

Grazing Annual Forages

The uncertainty of pasture growth and condition in 2013 has a number of producers considering planting and grazing annual forages. A recent UNL webinar, Grazing Annual Forages, presents information on the production potential, grazing carrying capacity (stocking rates), and grazing management strategies for different cool- and warm-season annual forages. See more resources.

Temporary Confinement for Feeding

If the drought continues through 2013 and pastures aren't adequate, livestock producers may need to temporarily confine cattle or cow-calf pairs. How this is managed can affect whether the operation is defined as an animal feeding operation (AFO), which mean inspections are required.  Learn more about space requirements, manure management, site considerations, and permitting requirements in two webinars now available online.

Grazing Lease Agreements for Drought

The two most important components of a grazing lease agreement are stocking rate and lease rate, according to Jay Jenkins, UNL Extension Educator in Cherry County. Balancing the forage demanded by the animals with the amount of forage grown is the most important part of proper grazing management. Learn what to include in your grazing lease.  More.

2012-2013 Beef Short Course: Drought Management Strategies for Cow/Calf Producers

If you missed one of the 2012-2013 Beef Short Course programs broadcast on NETV, don't worry. They're now available online on the Beef.unl.edu website. University beef, forage, and veterinary experts discuss:

• Winter Feeding Considerations for the Beef Cow Herd
• Managing Calving
• If the Drought Ends: Grazing and Forage Options
• If the Drought Continues: Grazing and Forage Options