BeefWatch Articles

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Cattle gathered around a water trough on a foggy day.

August 14, 2026

Don't Use Fertilizer Tanks to Haul Drinking Water for Cattle

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Young corn in a dry, brown field

August 4, 2026

Using Drought-Stressed Corn for Forage: Evaluating Options and Managing Nitrate Risk

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist; Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Three calves drink water from a tank.

August 1, 2026

Heat Stress in the Pasture

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Calves eating hay from a bale.

August 1, 2026

Can Your Receiving Program Handle the Heat?

Connor Biehler, Nebraska Extension Educator

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cows and calves stand in a dried pond during a drought

August 1, 2026

Green Is Not Always Growth: Nebraska Pasture Conditions After Late Rains

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator; Mitch Stephenson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Range Management Specialist

Kochia under a clear blue sky with scattered white clouds.

July 22, 2026

Weeds as Feed – Kochia and Russian Thistle

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cornfield under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

July 20, 2026

Cows Grazing Standing Corn – A Feed Option for this Summer, Fall, and Winter

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Dry soybean plants in a field under an overcast sky.

July 1, 2026

Soybean Hulls can be an Exceptional Supplement for Forage

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Red-white faced calf with ear tags standing in green grass, other calves lying nearby.

July 1, 2026

Early Weaning Strategies for Challenging Forage Conditions

T.L. Meyer, Nebraska Extension Educator; Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Specialist

Cattle Comfort Index

Published: August 1, 2025 | Updated: June 30, 2026

Using the Cattle Comfort Index to trigger heat abatement strategies

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ruth Woiwode, Former Nebraska Extension Specialist – Animal Care & Handling

Cattle Comfort Index Thresholds for Cattle

Published: July 21, 2025 | Updated: June 30, 2026

Getting reacquainted with the Cattle Comfort Index (CCI)

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ruth Woiwode, Former Nebraska Extension Specialist – Animal Care & Handling

Burnt grassy hills with scattered trees and sparse vegetation

June 1, 2026

Reducing Pasture Fire Risk

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator; Jacob Harvey, UNL Barta Brothers Ranch, Research Project Coordinator

Cattle eating at a bunk

Published: June 1, 2025 | Updated: April 13, 2026

Limit Feeding with a Bale Feeder, Bunk and a Bucket

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

cattle graizing in a dry pasture

Published: February 2, 2020 | Updated: April 13, 2026

Replacing Summer Pasture with Feeds for Cows Grazing Pasture

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator; Rick Rasby, Retired Nebraska Extension Specialist

Group of black heifers, some with white faces, bunch in a group in a green pasture.

April 1, 2026

Replacement Heifers vs. Finishing Heifers – Feeding Replacement Heifers in Confinement

Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Specialist

Nebraska Sandhills ground after a wildfire with grass regrowth.

Published: March 13, 2026 | Updated: March 31, 2026

After Wildfire: Livestock Care, Documentation, and Recovery for Nebraska Cattle Operations

T.L. Meyer, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cattle grazing on a green pasture of oats and rye.

March 26, 2026

Irrigated Annual Forage Options for Drought and Wildfire Forage Shortages

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator; Jerry Volesky, Retired Extension Range and Forage Specialist; Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Burned pastures after a wildfire (Photo credit: Bethany Johnston)

Published: April 1, 2025 | Updated: March 19, 2026

Managing Burned Pastures After a Wildfire- How to Graze

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator; Jerry Volesky, Retired Extension Range and Forage Specialist; Mitch Stephenson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Range Management Specialist

Cattle on pasture. Photo Credit: TL Meyer

Published: April 1, 2025 | Updated: March 19, 2026

2026 Drought Planning Trigger Dates

Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator; T.L. Meyer, Nebraska Extension Educator

Worker with pliers fixing fence kneeling by a tree.

March 18, 2026

Rebuilding Fences After Disaster

J. David Aiken, Extension Water and Agricultural Law Specialist; Jessica Groskopf, Extension Educator

Tractor loads feeder wagon

Published: June 1, 2025 | Updated: March 18, 2026

I Need a Ration for My Cattle- Now What?

Josie Crouch, Livestock System Educator; Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator

cattle in a pasture in the winter

Published: November 26, 2024 | Updated: January 22, 2026

Winterizing Your Cowherd- Managing Cows Through Cold Stress

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator; Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Specialist; Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Cattle on bedding

Published: February 25, 2025 | Updated: December 1, 2025

Feedlot Management Strategies to Combat Winter Weather

Jessica L. Sperber, Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist

Map of US for fall/winter 2025 expecting dry conditions in the south.

November 1, 2025

Late Fall and Winter Outlook 2025

Eric Hunt - Agricultural Meteorology and Climate Resilience Extension Educator

Dry pastures due to drought

June 10, 2025

How Plants Respond to Drought—and Why It Matters

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator; Jacob Harvey, UNL Barta Brothers Ranch, Research Project Coordinator

cattle grazing in drought stressed pasture

Published: February 8, 2021 | Updated: June 10, 2025

Grazing and Forage Management During and After Drought

Jerry Volesky, Retired Extension Range and Forage Specialist

Rangeland

Published: April 1, 2022 | Updated: June 10, 2025

Pastures and Drought: Response and Impact

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Nebraska Sandhills

Published: June 1, 2022 | Updated: June 10, 2025

Tools for Adjusting Stocking Rates during Drought

Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator