Online Learning Opportunities from Nebraska Beef Extension

Nebraska Beef Extension has planned several online learning opportunities that cover a variety of topics. For more more information and registration visit www.beef.unl.edu.

Increasing Feed Value of Grazed Corn Residue

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (CDT)

• How to determine and adjust stocking rates
• The agronomic impacts grazing has on row crop production
• Developing rental agreements
• Meeting nutritional needs while grazing corn residue

2025 Beef Heifer Replacement Price Forecast

Thursday, Sept. 26, Noon (CDT)

• Figure what cow replacement costs might be given market volatility, futures expectations, costs, etc.
• Create a reference point for producers’ operations and expectations of potential future events.
• Arrive at what a reasonable value might be for a heifer/cow purchased or retained for replacement given their situation.

UNL Heifer Development Center First Year Wrap-up

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Online or in-person at Haskell Agricultural Laboratory.
• Nutritional development of beef heifers
• Genetics and INHERIT Select
• Great Plains Heifer Development Center Tour
• ABS
• Cattler Software
• 2024 Heifer Development project recap

Cornstalk Grazing Fundamentals, Leases and Agronomic Impacts

Tuesday, Oct. 8: Corn Residue Grazing Fundamentals

Thursday, Oct. 10: Grazing Leases, Prices and Finding and Renting Residue

Tuesday, Oct. 15: Agronomic Impacts for Grazing Corn Residue

Thursday, Oct. 17: Producer Panel – Challenges and Opportunities

Knowing, Growing and Grazing Grass

Oct. 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 & 31, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. (CDT)

• Plant identification and key grass species
• Maximizing forage production and calculating stocking rates
• Using the USDA Web Soil Survey to estimate the range of production, and how to adjust a grazing plan during low precipitation years.
• A grazing plan, key dates for grazing management, and understanding drought risk insurance (Pasture Range and Forage- PRF)

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance for Livestock Producers

Tuesday, Oct. 24, Noon (CDT)

• PRF coverage strategies, associated implications, and historical performance of PRF using examples for Nebraska grids
• An overview of the PRF insurance product and performance

Leveraging Genetics to Improve Profitability

Tuesday, Nov. 4 & Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. (CDT)

• Developing a breeding objective.
• How to interpret and use EPD and economic selection indexes.
• Hands-on bull selection exercises.
• Developing a customized selection index.
• Use cases for genomic tools.

Cattle Cost of Production, part of the Ag Smart Money Week series

Tuesday, Nov. 4

• Calculating economic unit cost of production for the cow-calf enterprise.
• Knowing what the big three categories of cost are.
• Understanding the five ways to reduce unit cost of production.

Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow

Nov. 11, 14, 18 & 21, 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm

• What impacts a cow’s nutrient requirements and how do they change throughout the year?
• How do you read and understand a feed test analysis and feed tag? What do the numbers mean?
• When comparing feed options, which is the best buy when all things are considered?
• What are things to consider when developing a year-round feeding plan?