Cherry County Beef Educator

10/09/2026

09/29/2026

Register by Oct. 1 for Nebraska Extension’s Knowing, Growing and Grazing Grass 6-part webinar series. Get practical insights on plant ID, grazing plans, stocking rates, and drought risk management. Cost for series and materials is $100.

More at the link in my bio under RECENT POSTS 🌾 https://beef.unl.edu/news/range-and-pasture-management-webinar-series-registrations-due-october-1/ 🌾

08/18/2026

Stocking Strategies for Drought
Two Approaches for Cow/Calf Herds

1. Conservative Stocking:
Unchanged stocking rate the land can support even during drought.
Excess forage remains unused in normal & wet years.

2. Flexible stocking
Anticipate and follow annual forage production.
- Dry year (decreased stocking rate)
- Normal year (average stocking rate)
- Wet year (increased stocking rate)
Excess forage is used in normal & wet years.

Who to remove in dry years?
CALVES: Wean early to reduce forage needs of cows
OPEN COWS: Preg check early & cull unbred cows
HEIFERS: keep fewer replacement heifers

Who to add in normal and wet years?
CALVES: Retain weanlings to sell later
STOCKERS: Purchase & background yearlings
LEASE: Lease additional forage to another rancher

To see your pasture production, check out the Rangelands Analysis Platform Production Explorer https://rangelands.app/production-explorer/

07/10/2026

Cow-calf producers: Want to make better mineral decisions? Join Nebraska Extension’s free 2-part webinar series on July 13 & 20 at 8 p.m. CT to learn mineral basics, evaluate supp. programs, and explore a new mineral evaluation calculator. Register at the link in my bio under UPCOMING EVENTS or at go.unl.edu/UNLMineralWebinar

07/09/2026

06/30/2026

06/11/2026

Could NWS get to the Sandhills? Yes, if infested animals (dogs, horses, cattle, etc) are brought into the area.

Would NWS be here to stay if introduced? Not likely b/c larvae don’t survive sustained soil temps < 46°F. But it’s a few months til that happens, so practice vigilant biosecurity in the meantime.

Read more at the link in my bio under RECENT POSTS -> https://beef.unl.edu/new-world-screwworm-returns-north-america-implications-nebraska-livestock-producers/

06/05/2026

Are you a rancher that has to do farming on occasion? This field day is for you. We'll look at the cool season irrigated forage plots and discuss other irrigated forage options.

10 CT next Tuesday (Jun 9) in Valentine at the Middle Niobrara NRD. No RSVP needed. Message me w/ ?'s

04/28/2026

Running cattle on grass means every decision counts.

Learn how to match cow needs to forage quality, manage risk, and make nutrition decisions without overdoing inputs.
The Nebraska Ranch Practicum helps build the knowledge that pays off over time.

Sign up by May 5 at the link in my bio—> https://nebraskaranchpracticum.unl.edu/ or message me for more info.