Ryan Benjamin, 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

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

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

Leafy spurge flowering

May 1, 2025

Impacts of Earlier Blooming Leafy Spurge

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

Cattle on pasture. Photo Credit: TL Meyer

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

2026 Drought Planning Trigger Dates

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

Invasive leafy spurge in a pasture. Photo Credit: Troy Walz

April 2, 2025

Proactive Weed Control in Pastures: Tips for Early Season Success

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

Consider drought in a lease. Photo by Troy Walz.

March 1, 2025

Build Resilience into Your Pasture Lease: The Drought/Disaster Clause

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

Rangeland

April 1, 2022

Drought Planning Trigger Dates

By Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator, Brad Schick, Former Nebraska Extension Educator, T.L. Meyer, Nebraska Extension Educator

Vaccination at branding

April 1, 2024

Relieving Stress around the Branding Pen

By Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator, Hannah (Greenwell) Smith, Nebraska Extension Educator

Nebraska Sandhills

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

Tools for Adjusting Stocking Rates during Drought

By Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cow grazing

October 1, 2022

Flexible Stocking Rate Options for Drought Management

By Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cattle on pasture

February 1, 2023

How Much Pasture do I Need and What are AUMs?

By Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator