Webinar Series to Address Grazing Leases, Stocking Rates and Risk Management

A three-part webinar series from Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability will cover grazing leases, stocking rates and risk management decisions ahead of the 2026 grazing season. Sessions will be held April 9, 16 and 23 at noon Central Time. Photo: Real Ag Stock

Livestock producers are making key decisions this spring on pasture rental rates, stocking levels and managing risk in uncertain conditions. A three-part webinar series from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, in collaboration with Nebraska Extension’s Livestock Systems team, will present practical guidance to help inform these decisions.

The webinars will be held at noon Central Time on April 9, 16 and 23, and are designed to provide practical guidance for landowners and livestock producers as they plan for the 2026 grazing season. All sessions are free to attend, with registration and details available at cap.unl.edu/webinars.

“Pasture decisions often come down to balancing productivity with long-term sustainability,” said Jim Jansen, Extension agricultural economist. “These sessions are built to help producers and landowners work through those decisions with current data and practical tools.”

The series begins April 9 with “Understanding Grazing Land Rental Rates and Lease Agreements in 2026,” presented by Jansen and Anastasia Meyer, Extension agricultural economists. The session will highlight recent Nebraska Farm Real Estate Survey results on grazing land rental rates and lease arrangements, along with considerations to help landowners and tenants develop clear, workable agreements.

On April 16, “Stocking Rates 101: Matching Livestock to Your Grass” will be led by livestock systems Extension educators Ben Beckman and Ryan Benjamin. The webinar will walk through practical ways to estimate forage availability, set appropriate stocking rates and adjust as conditions change to protect pasture health and profitability.

The series concludes April 23 with “Managing Grazing Risk: Leases, Flexibility, and Drought Decisions,” also presented by Beckman and Benjamin. The session will focus on building flexibility into lease agreements, along with strategies for drought planning, disaster recovery and managing grazing risk when conditions shift.

The sessions are intended to help producers make informed decisions heading into the grazing season, particularly as weather variability and input costs continue to shape management choices.

More information and registration for each webinar is available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website at cap.unl.edu/webinars.