Jerry Volesky

1 month ago | hpj.com | Jerry Volesky |Dave Bergmeier

Alfalfa, Beef, Crops, Drought, Nebraska, Weather Last fall and this winter have been dry, leaving most parts of the state in some level of drought. 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. Drought is likely to be a problem again this summer, at least somewhere.

2 months ago | m.farms.com | Jerry Volesky |Ben Beckman

By Jerry Volesky and Ben BeckmanAre you looking to increase production from pastures or hay fields? Frost seeding or interseeding legumes might just work in your operation. Nitrogen is one of the key ingredients for productive pastures. A way to get more nitrogen in a pasture is to plant legumes. Alfalfa, red or white clovers, birdsfoot trefoil, and other legumes all fix atmospheric nitrogen and can reduce nitrogen costs. These legumes are also very high in forage quality.

Jan 17, 2025 | covercropstrategies.com | Jerry Volesky

Here in mid-winter, cornstalks remain a great forage resource for livestock producers. So far, snowfall across most of Nebraska has been minimal. While cattle can graze with snow cover, remember that if an icy crust develops on the snow, this will limit grazing and supplemental feed may need to be provided. Another important consideration is the stocking rate and how long they have been in a particular field.

Oct 24, 2024 | m.farms.com | Jerry Volesky |Ben Beckman

By Jerry Volesky and Ben BeckmanEvery fall, there can be some situations where there can be the potential to graze alfalfa. In some cases, the alfalfa may not have been big enough to warrant haying or maybe you have an alfalfa field that is adjacent to some cornstalks. A side benefit is that grazing alfalfa in late fall or winter can reduce alfalfa weevil infestations by removing stems and plant parts that serve as a wintering site or a spring laying site for weevil eggs.

Oct 21, 2024 | northplattebulletin.com | Jerry Volesky

Every fall, there can be some situations where there can be the potential to graze alfalfa. In some cases, the alfalfa may not have been tall enough to warrant haying or maybe you have an alfalfa field that is adjacent to some cornstalks. A side benefit is that grazing alfalfa in late fall or winter can reduce alfalfa weevil infestations by removing stems and plant parts that serve as a wintering site or a spring laying site for weevil eggs.