24 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2024 Pasture Outlook and Preparation TRESSA LAWRENCE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Pasture conditions across Nebraska have varied greatly in the last year. Parts of the state have enjoyed above-average precipitation through the fall, while other parts of the state are left wondering why their rain dances haven’t been working. Mixed Conditions Producers through central and northeastern Nebraska saw some precipitation through October that gave their soil a much-needed recharge, ideally leading to improved pasture conditions for the upcoming year. In spite of this, meteorologist and Extension Educator Eric Hunt says there may still be a delay in some growth. “Certain types of grasses, even if you’ve had moisture, still lag a bit to actually develop and rebound,” he explains. “Last year saw some really, really bad impacts between Grand Island and Seward, and the Kansas border to Columbus. It was just a very bad spring and stifling heat at times through the summer.” After a rough, dry stretch, things are starting to look up for most of the western part of the state. That area saw some impactful moisture through the fall, at the very least growing hope for the next season. “I think pasture conditions have improved significantly in the western third of the state this past growing season, which is great because it’s been a rough couple of years,” Hunt says. The exception to this is southwestern Nebraska. That area missed out on the fall precipitation that other areas enjoyed. Sporadic, light showers did not carry the impact that many producers had hoped for, according to Hunt. “Here in the west and a lot of the Sandhills we actually saw pretty good precipitation last year, and the rangeland looks pretty good. In the Panhandle we have had three years of fairly dry growing seasons – 2020, 2021 and 2022 – so 2023 was one of those years that was just a really good recovery year for our grasslands with very timely rain,” says Mitch Stephenson, associate professor and associate director of the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center at University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). “That good rainfall that we got through May, June, even into July, were all good months for grass growth,” Stephenson explains. “Mid-summer rain was especially beneficial for some of our warm-season grasses. It dried off a little bit into the fall CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 Utilizing rotational grazing and monitoring forage growth can help producers when studying and adapting grazing plans. Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition hosts grazing schools throughout the year to help producers best utilize their forages and grazing plans. Photo courtesy of Leah Peterson. PRODUCTION
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