By Gary Stone and Brock Ortner
Parts of the Nebraska Panhandle have recently experienced severe hailstorms. This has left many producers evaluating what approach to take when managing these severely damaged crops. Where before grass, alfalfa, or annual forage was standing, now it’s been pummeled into the ground.
The impacts of a severe hailstorm on rangeland and pasture are not unlike other severe defoliation events. Perennial forages will recover, but it is beneficial to give them ample time to rest and rejuvenate by removing grazing animals and allowing them a period of uninterrupted growth.
The recovery time may need to be extended, especially if plants were drought-stressed and moisture conditions are limited. Stacking insults such as drought, grazing, and hail damage can significantly impact production potential in future growing seasons.
Source : unl.edu