Author | Lightnews

Myra Hipke Richardson

@myrahipke.bsky.social

42 followers 65 following 310 posts

Plant nerd, grazing and ecology junkie, and healthy soils advocate. Independent consultant for grazing systems & forages. (Technical assistance available!) Building soil, growing grass, and raising beef in northern Nebraska.

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Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Apr 27

Came here to say exactly this. Can't even watch it now 😅

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Mar 13

Calving is a month away, so time to go through the calving box. This thing has been absolutely invaluable and saves on so much stress. No scrambling when time is critical; just grab the box and go. We have a lot, but some shopping is in order to replenish supplies! #calving25 #ag #ranchlife

A large tub containing various supplies for delivering calves, including clean towels, a stainless steel bucket, bottles of disinfectant, and a tube feeder for calves who can't nurse right away.

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Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Mar 4

Here as well! The Weather Prediction Center's site is a regular part of my week.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 17

This, 1000%. USDA-NRCS services are a prime example. Engineering services are especially popular.

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Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 14

#Swathgrazing 24-25 has begun.

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Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 14

Taking forage down for windrow grazing. Still no rain, so good curing weather at least. Pearl millet was a lifesaver - filled all the gaps where the sorgxsudan couldn't hack the drought. New favorite forage.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 14

@NEmyrich #cowchow is looking good. Doing this on soil moisture and less than 2" of rain. (Dry spots don't look like this.) Loving those forage collards today.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 14

#NewProfilePic

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 14

#cowchow on the way. The cowpeas are 🔥

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

The oats were NT drilled into heavy residue from grazing pearl millet in 2023. Wasn't sure how it would go but the stand was excellent and I think the residue helped the oats through the dry conditions.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 14

Goliath oats taking names this year. Drilled late March, about one good rain in April and another in May. Dusty dry by June. Then 7 inches of rain June 17-21. Stood through several thunderstorms. Cut June 23 and managed to miss enough rain to roll it up yesterday. #cowchow

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

Settling the last fence today. But still one move ahead of the cows. Pushed them to clean up better in the mild weather. They were working windrows all the way back to the beginning strips.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

No problems at all - a good nose push and tug, and they are in.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

Windrows are pretty well covered. This is the most work I've asked them to do since we started swath grazing. They've done deeper snow, but there is a crusty layer under 6" or so of fresh powder. Was curious to see how they would handle it.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

Fed our first two bales of the season to the main cowherd during the storm. Back to work on windrows today. #graze24

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

Pretty good quality down in there considering some terrible conditions after we put it in the sheath this fall.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

0.60 of rain and 8" snow...it's a little crusty so was curious to see how they handled it - doesn't seem to be a problem! #swathgrazing #graze23

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

Actually not sure if we moved them or they moved us...

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

Merry Christmas Eve to the cows this morning. Decided to head to the windrows with the incoming weather. #graze23 almost over...#graze24 almost here!

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

If you gotta leave mom, this is a pretty good place to do it.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

I think someone's getting all he can handle. Momma's 12 years old.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

2 weeks and 2" of rain after drilling. The cane was trying to come before the rain. Field cover is crabgrass after a mostly failed spring oat crop. We grazed the crabgrass for about two weeks to keep it from setting seed until we were ready to burn down and drill.

Myra Hipke Richardson @myrahipke.bsky.social · Feb 15

We actually drilled a mix of seed including soybeans, sorgxsudan, and radishes. Found everything germinating early on, but not sure if the others survived the conditions or not. Cane is dominating the mix, which is fine. Seed was discounted odds and ends from a local dealer.