Nebraska Grassland Systems

05/04/2026

Jerry D. Volesky, professor and range management specialist in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, retires June 30, 2026, after a 31-year career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
During his time at Nebraska, Volesky conducted research in western Nebraska's vast rangelands and plains, focusing on the effects of droughts and wildfires on Sandhills plants and investigating grazing by concentrating on factors like the stocking rate, stocking density and season of grazing.
He also had a profound impact on extension, particularly in helping found the Nebraska Ranch Practicum in 1999 that has since helped hundreds of ranchers improve their natural resources, economic and livestock management skills.
Read more about Jerry Volesky at go.unl.edu/st9c

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska Animal Science UNL Range Management Club UNL Beef

Jerry D. Volesky, professor and range management specialist in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, retires June 30, 2026, after a 31-year career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

05/04/2026

04/24/2026

disaster.unl.edu.

04/21/2026

Moving from wildfire. Response to Recovery.
A unified place for recovery guidance, field-based knowledge, and next steps following Nebraska wildfires.
https://wildfire.unl.edu/
Nebraska Agronomy and Horticulture UNL Range & Forage UNL Range Management Club University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraska Animal Science Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environment Education (NACEE) Central Sandhills Beef Educator Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory - UNL

Moving from wildfire Response to Recovery A unified place for recovery guidance, field-based knowledge, and next steps following Nebraska wildfires.  Wildfire response focuses on safety and immediate needs. Recovery is different. It requires clear information, realistic expectations, and decisions ...

04/07/2026

Make plans now to attend the 2026 Nebraska Grazing Conference at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, NE on August 4-5. The theme of the conference will be Celebrating Grazing on Nebraska's Grasslands as part the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

The conference will begin on afternoon of Tuesday, August 4. Tradeshow talks on the 4th will focus on Virtual Fence Technologies for better grazing management followed by a celebration of the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

On Wednesday, August 5, a full day of speakers will be focused on regenerative grazing management, grazing on croplands, small ruminant grazing, conservation grazing practices, and grazing stockmanship. Keynote speakers include Gail Fuller (https://farmersfootprint.us/gail-fuller) who will speak on regenerative grazing management practices. Dr. Tom Noffsinger will highlight the importance of stockmanship in grazing management. Hother speakers will present on Carbon Credit markets and opportunities on grazing lands.

High school and university students are encouraged to attend. Student registration fees are waived for those registering online before July 31, 2026.

https://grassland.unl.edu/nebraska-grazing-conference-registration/

03/12/2026

Colleagues and students,
There is a great event at Morrill Hall from 9am - 3pm this Saturday, March 14. The new bronze bison statues for the Smithsonian Mall are migrating from the foundry in Colorado to Washington DC this week and stopping at four museums along the way. they will be here Saturday along with displays and staff from the Smithsonian, Morrill Hall, the Center for Grassland Studies, and other partners.

We are lucky to have Puppeteer Heather Henson in Lincoln doing "Artist in the Schools" performances with the Lied Center. She will present her newest environment-themed play (water, cranes, bison, sturgeon) at 1pm in Elephant Hall as part of the Saturday Event. Remember that admission is always free for UNL staff and students (bring your UNL ID).

I’ve also heard that Smithsonian's Kirk Johnson and sculptor Gary Staab will be at Morrill Hall on March 14. Both are highly respected in museum and paleontology circles.

Sculptor Gary Staab making the fossil rhino and turtle sculptures for Nebraska’s Ash Falls Fossil Beds a few years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DB-KY-Bw6c

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Director Dr. Kirk Johnson giving an outstanding lecture on the deep history of Nebraska’s paleontology and geology. Find out why Kirk says Nebraska has the best fossils in the world for telling the story of mammal evolution starting 35 million years ago. He was here in 2013 when the University of Nebraska State Museum became an official Smithsonian Affiliate a decade ago.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=QRjI6kSJWkk&si=fxf2hhahzWNyBNTM

See you there!
Dave
UNL West Central Research, Extension and Education Center UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Nebraska Animal Science Nebraska Youth Range Camp Nebraska Ag - NEAG University of Nebraska-NCTA Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environment Education (NACEE) UNL Range & Forage UNL Range Management Club University of Nebraska-Lincoln UNL Beef SWCS - Nebraska

03/11/2026

Wild Plant Wednesday:
Missouri Goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis)
In 1895, the Goldenrod was officially named the Nebraska State Floral Emblem. While there are many species of Goldenrod in our state, the Missouri Goldenrod is one of our most iconic. It’s a hardy, sun-loving perennial that lights up the prairie with brilliant plumes of gold just as summer begins to fade.
Contrary to popular belief, Goldenrod isn’t the culprit behind your hay fever! Its pollen is too heavy to be wind-blown; instead, it relies on pollinators like bees and butterflies to move it from flower to flower.

📷 Photo Credits:

03/06/2026

Nebraska Extension to host webinar on low pregnancy rates in young cows
Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 13, 2026 — Low pregnancy rates in young cows can significantly impact herd
replacement costs and long-term profitability for cow-calf producers. To address this challenge,
Nebraska Extension will host a webinar, Considerations of Causes of Low Pregnancy Rates in Young Cows,
on Tuesday, March 10.
The webinar will begin at 6:30 p.m Mountain time (7:30 p.m. Central) and focus on key biological
and management factors that influence reproductive success in young cows.
Topics and presenters include:
• Heifer Development – Dr. Rick Funston and Dr. Kacie McCarthy
• Genetic Selection – Dr. Matt Spangler
• Nutrition for the Cow – Dr. Karla Wilke
• Infectious Diseases and Infertility – Dr. Brian Vander Ley and Dr. Matt Hille.
The first 40 minutes of the program will feature short presentations from each speaker, followed by
a live questions-and answer session. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with
Nebraska Extension specialists, veterinarians and educators.
The webinar is open to cow-calf producers, veterinarians and consultants. The goal of the program
is to encourage discussion around low pregnancy rates in young cows and to provide researchbased
insights that can be applied in herd management decisions.
There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is requested. To register, email Aaron Berger at
[email protected] by Friday, March 6. A recording of the webinar will be made available to
registered participants following the program.
If you would like to attend an in-person location to view the webinar and engage in discussion with
other producers, the following locations will also host the webinar. Please RSVP by March 6.
Buffalo County, Office Building, 1400 E 34th St., Kearney, Brent Plugge, 308-236-1235
Holt County Courthouse Annex, 128 N 6th St., O’Neill, Bethany Johnston, 402-336-2760
Nance County Office, 304 3rd St., Fullerton, Josie Crouch, 308-536-2691
Sheridan County Office, 800 South Loofborrow St., Rushville, Brock Ortner, 308-327-2312
Lincoln County Office, 402 W. State Farm Rd. Snyder Bulidng., North Platte, Randy Saner,
308-532-2683
Central Sandhills Area Office, Thomas County Courthouse, Thedford, TL Meyer, 308-645-2267
For more information, contact Berger at 308-235-3122 or [email protected]

Low pregnancy rates in young cows can significantly impact herd replacement costs and long-term profitability for cow-calf producers. To address this challenge, Nebraska Extension will host a webinar, Considerations of Causes of Low Pregnancy Rates in Young Cows, on Tuesday, March 10.

03/06/2026

Master 'Ranch Ready' principles you can apply immediately on your operation by participating in the Nebraska Ranch Practicum! 🐮 Learn more and register at https://nebraskaranchpracticum.unl.edu/.

03/06/2026

Happy National Nutrition Month! Did you know beef provides 10 essential nutrients, including protein, iron, and zinc? 🥩 Visit https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition for more information on the nutritional benefits of beef.

03/06/2026

Preventing Grass Tetany
Grass tetany can be a costly concern when transitioning cows to lush, cool-season pastures, but it can be prevented with proper magnesium supplementation. 🌱 Learn more at https://beef.unl.edu/going-grass-preventing-grass-tetany-magnesium-supplementation/.