COVER CROP GRAZING CONFERENCE
Friday, Nov. 21, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Clay Center Fairgrounds
701 N Martin, Clay Center, NE
Conference Highlights:
Learn from top experts in cover crop forage and grazing management
Discover real-world success stories of integrating cattle into crop systems
Get hands-on tips for improving risk management and implementing technology
Nebraska Extension is uniquely suited to bring farmers unbiased and research-based information that will be shared at this conference. The information provided will help first-time or experienced farmers looking to fine-tune their cover crop grazing management utilizing cover crops as an alternative forage source. Speakers and panelists will address important issues for Nebraska farmers and ranchers and provides one-on-one discussion with local, private industry exhibitors and sponsors.
Nebraska beef producers and corn growers can enhance their operations by attending the 2025 Cover Crop Grazing Conference.
Scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, the conference will take place at the Clay County Fairgrounds.
The conference kicks off with registration, refreshments and a trade show at 8:30 a.m. followed by the educational program.
8:30-9:00 – Registration and Trade Show
9:00 – Welcome Remarks -Connor Biehler
9:10-10:00 – Dealing with Nitrates and Prussic acid in Forages (Dr. Mary Drewnoski, UNL)
Understanding nitrate and prussic acid risks is key to safely grazing cover crops and annual forages. Learn how to assess risk and use smart grazing and cattle management strategies to keep your herd safe while making the most of your forage.
10:00-10:30 – Virtual Fencing: Bringing Grazing into the Digital Age (Dr. Yijie Xiong, UNL)
Learn how virtual fencing technology works, what systems are available, and how it can be used to improve grazing management. This session will cover the nuts and bolts of setup, animal training, and real-world applications to increase grazing flexibility and efficiency.
10:30-10:45 – Break
10:45-12:00 – Producer Panel - Real-World Insights from the Field
Hear directly from experienced producers who have successfully integrated cattle and cover crops into their operations. They’ll share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how they manage challenges. This open discussion offers a chance to learn practical tips, ask questions, and gain valuable peer-to-peer insights you can take home and apply.
12:00-1:00 – Lunch, Trade Show, and Poster session
Get a first look at new research from University of Nebraska–Lincoln students focused on practical solutions for grazing and integrated systems. These applied projects tackle real-world questions about cover crops, annual forages, and cattle management.
Featured Posters:
- How Effective Is Virtual Fence at Keeping Two Groups of Cattle Apart?
- Does Sunnhemp Boost Performance? A Look at Cow/Calf and Stocker Gains Grazing Sudangrass
- Snap2Graze: A Tool to Estimate Rye Biomass and Determine Carrying Capacity
- When Grazing Stockpiled Sorghum–Sudangrass, Are Seeds Providing Energy or Just Passing Through?
1:30-3:00 Tour of USMARC- Lance Schutte, Range and Forage Production Manager, USMARC.
Cover crops and annual forages are at the heart of maintaining the cows and heifers managed at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC). Lance will share how the team integrates these forages to maximize productivity from every acre. Participants will have the opportunity to see winter grazing practices in action and hear firsthand about the innovations, challenges, and lessons learned from one of the nation’s largest integrated beef research herds.
A $40 registration fee is payable cash or check, payable at the conference, or checks can be mailed in advance to 2025 Cover Crop Grazing Conference, Nebraska Extension, 1071 County Rd. G, Ithaca, NE 68033. The fee covers lunch and refreshments throughout the day. When paying by check, payable to University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Use this link to register.
