February 13, 2024

March webinar series focuses on ‘fundamentals of feeding the cow’

cattle grazing

Cattle graze annual forages. Photo by Mary Drewnoski

Lincoln, Neb. —Nebraska Extension will be hosting a four-session webinar series in March that will explain the fundamentals of understanding a cow's nutrition requirements and the options available to meet a cow's needs with grazed or harvested feed. The series will be held Monday and Thursday evenings, March 11, 14, 18 and 21, from 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. CT.

Feed costs are often the largest expense category for cow-calf producers in Nebraska. Understanding how the cow’s nutrient requirements change throughout the year and how to meet those requirements with the feed resources available cost-effectively can greatly influence an operation’s bottom line.

Topics to be covered include:

  • What impacts a cow's nutrient requirements, and how do they change throughout the year?
  • How do you read and understand a feed test analysis as well as a feed tag? What do the numbers mean?
  • When comparing feed options, which is the best buy when all things are considered?
  • What are things to consider when developing a year-round feeding plan?

The cost of the course is $50 and includes a notebook of Nebraska Extension resources. The course is limited to 35 participants. To register, visit https://go.unl.edu/feedingthecow. Participants are asked to register by March 4 to ensure webinar resources are received before the series begins. A computer and internet connection will be needed to participate in the webinar series. 

For questions about the webinar series, contact Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator, at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.