Search

Tanks of anhydrous ammonia being pulled to a field for fertilizer application.

Determining an Economically Optimal Nitrogen Rate for Corn in 2022

While we can't know what the prices of corn and nitrogen fertilizer will be next year, it is very important to understand how the level of both prices will influence corn profitability for 2022.

Pasture with big bluestream grass and Kentucky bluegrass

Targeted Grazing Strategies for Kentucky Bluegrass Control

Fact sheet for targeted grazing strategies for Kentucky bluegrass control.

Herd of cattle swath grazing hay in a winter pasture.

Swath/Bale Grazing

Swath grazing and bale grazing are harvest systems that mesh haying and grazing techniques. Generally, the objective is to reduce labor and equipment expenses by allowing livestock to consume the hay crop in the field.

Landowner and producer in a machine shed reviewing a contract.

Hay Harvest Contracting

For those landowners who typically lease or harvest grasslands for hay, contracting for services is a learned business that can have local variations in how the grass and associated services are valued.

Producer holding a clump of healthy, plant-rich soil.

Fertilizing Grasslands

Grassland fertilization, like many other grassland management topics, is highly dependent on certain parameters, such as soil type, vegetation type and harvest methods.

Producer moving a group of black cattle into a section of fenced-in pasture.

Grazing Contracting

For those who own grasslands not typically grazed, or for those looking for a better contract basis, there are several grazing contract options that can be explored.

Producers moving a group of cattle in a rolling, winter rangeland.

Winter Grazing

The predominant factor in winter grazing is ensuring adequate forage availability while considering long-term range health. When managed correctly, grazing winter range can be a viable option for controlling feed costs without negatively impacting rangelands.

Tools for measuring grassland growth placed in a rangeland project area.

Monitoring Success

While periodic monitoring is necessary for continued success, a thorough evaluation in the first few months will tell you a lot about grazing levels, benefits to livestock and livestock-to-acre ratio.

Canada thistle growing throughout a pasture in western South Dakota.

Invasive Species Management in Grasslands

Once invaded, grasslands can shift dramatically toward dominance of exotic species and require an integrated approach to species control that considers all tools, such as mechanical (cutting, burning), cultural (grazing) or chemical alternatives.

Grazing stick being used to assess current grassland status.

Measuring Grassland Production

Assessing pasture forage production is a key step in planning harvest strategies and can also inform the manager on the status of wildlife habitat or other grassland values.