Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Young corn in a dry, brown field

August 4, 2026

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

By Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist, Ben Beckman, 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

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

Three calves drink water from a tank.

August 1, 2026

Heat Stress in the Pasture

By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Burnt grassy hills with scattered trees and sparse vegetation

June 1, 2026

Reducing Pasture Fire Risk

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

Keeping hay dry during storage will determine the forage quality.

March 1, 2026

Why Storage, Not Age, Determines Hay Quality

By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator, Jerry Volesky, Retired Extension Range and Forage Specialist, Daren Redfearn, Retired Nebraska Extension Forage and Crop Residue Specialist

Cattle grazing annual forages Photo Credit: Troy Walz

October 1, 2025

Managing Annual Forages After Frost

By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cows graze on fall rangelands.

October 1, 2025

Fall Grazing Management: Balancing Forage Use and Recovery

By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Whirled milkweed in the pasture.

September 1, 2025

Watch Out for Whorled Milkweed: Identification, Toxicity, and Control in Pasture and Hay Ground

By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Thistle

September 1, 2025

Don’t Wait for Spring: Why Fall Is Prime Time for Weed Control

By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator, Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator

silage pile cover rolling out

August 1, 2025

The Hidden Cost of Silage Spoilage—and How to Stop It

By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Silage pile

July 22, 2025

Start Planning Now for Silage Storage Later

By Rick Stowell, Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Biological Systems Engineering, Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Dry pastures due to drought

June 10, 2025

How Plants Respond to Drought—and Why It Matters

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