By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Extension, in partnership with the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition, is hosting a series of educational sessions focused on integrating cattle and wheat production systems. These programs take place January 19 through January 21 at three locations across Nebraska’s Panhandle, with each session beginning at 4 p.m.
The program examines how crop rotation, soil health, and livestock grazing work together to improve both land productivity and long-term profitability. Research shared during the sessions compares integrated systems that include forages and cattle grazing with traditional continuous spring wheat systems. These comparisons focus on soil quality, animal performance, and overall economic returns.
“Initially, we’ll look at the system like three legs to a stool. That includes crop rotation, soil health, and livestock grazing,” said Doug Landblom, Beef Cattle Specialist at the Dickinson Research Extension Center. “I’ve been part of an integrated team conducting research for 15 years, examining crop rotations that utilize forages and cattle grazing integrated into a spring wheat cropping system.”
Research results show improvements in cattle performance when annual forages are directly grazed. “We used grain, legume, mixed crops, and cover crops, such as field pea/forage barley mix and standing corn late summer and fall, followed by cover crops with yearling steers,” he said. These systems lead to higher steer feedlot entry weights, fewer days on feed, and improved net returns.
The program also explores the role of legumes in cropping systems. Legumes help fix nitrogen naturally, which supports soil fertility and benefits future crops. These practices reduce input needs while improving sustainability.
Each event includes a meal followed by a panel discussion featuring producers who are actively using annual forages with cattle grazing in their cropping systems. These discussions provide practical insight and real-world experience.
The cost to attend is $20 per person. Pre-registration is requested at least one week before each meeting for meal planning. Registration details and contacts are available through Nebraska Extension at https://extension.unl.edu/
Additional grazing and forage education resources are available through the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition at https://nebraskagrazinglands.org/
More information and registration details, contact the host at each location:
- Jan. 19 - Country Kitchen in Chadron, Brock Ortner email bortner2@unl.edu, or call 308-327-2312
- Jan. 20 - UNL Panhandle Research Extension & Education Center in Scottsbluff, Aaron Berger email aberger2@unl.edu, or call 308-235-3122
- Jan. 21 - South Platte NRD in Sidney, Aaron Berger email aberger2@unl.edu, or call 308-235-3122
Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymou
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Wheat, Hay & Forage, Livestock, Beef Cattle