University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers are leading a study of how a targeted restoration of perennial grasses amid cropland could bring about a variety of benefits, ranging from reduction in water and fertilizer use to expansion of wildlife habitat to encouragement of new bioenergy industry. The four-year, $4 million project will be conducted on University of Nebraska research plots and 12 to 15 on-farm sites in the Republican River Basin in west central and western Nebraska, said Daren Redfearn, the Husker forage systems specialist leading the work. Read more in this article from the University of Nebraska.

Cover crops have become more than just a practice to receive a payment. Grazing, haying or ensiling has become very popular. To make it work well, planning is necessary. Read more in this story from the Midwest Messenger.

In this audio interview, hear from Steve Kenyon, a grower from Alberta, Canada, as he discusses how he uses cover crops in his custom grazing operation without owning land or livestock, how he's transitioned tilled cropland into pastures with perennial polycultures, what his goals are, and more.

Research conducted in Minnesota over the past two years points to many beneficial aspects of grazing sheep at ground-mounted solar projects. Research partners MNL, Temple University, Enel and NREL have collected data in the past from the Aurora project which highlights potential benefits in soil health, water quality, stormwater control and pollinator habitat creation. Read more in this article from Solar Power World.

The drought of 2021 left many ranchers short of feed, both grazing forage and hay. A great option for spring grazing or hay production is winter cereals. Read this article from North Dakota State University.

Panel discussion by ranchers and researchers focuses on regenerative grazing - what it is, how it works, and long-term benefits.

RMA added this flexibility starting with the 2021 crop year as part of a broader effort to encourage producers to use cover crops, an important conservation and good farming practice.

Pastures and hay meadows provide higher quality feed, are more productive and require fewer inputs when they have good forage legumes growing in them. Outside of moisture, nitrogen is often the limiting nutrient in pasture production. Read more in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.