By Scout Nelson
Nebraska Extension will host an educational program on October 14, 2026, in Oshkosh to help ranchers, landowners and agricultural professionals better understand wildfire recovery and grazing management. The event will focus on restoring burned rangelands, evaluating pasture recovery and making informed management decisions.
The program will begin at 4 p.m. at the Oshkosh Methodist Church before participants travel to rangeland sites impacted by the Morrill Fire. Attendees will observe recovery progress in burned pastures and discuss factors that influence long-term range health.
Dr. Mitch Stephenson, Nebraska Extension range management specialist, will lead discussions on wildfire recovery and pasture restoration. He will also provide recommendations for grazing management during the fall and winter, as well as planning considerations for next spring and summer.
Dr. Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension cow-calf and stocker cattle management specialist, will address livestock nutrition and feeding strategies. Her presentation will cover supplementation options, feed availability and market conditions to help producers make cost-effective herd management decisions.
Following the field tour, participants will return to the Oshkosh Methodist Church for an evening program and supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meal will be served by the Garden County Do More Robotics 4-H Club, offering attendees an opportunity to network and exchange ideas.
The evening session will feature updates from government and conservation agencies. Brad Fraass, executive director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Cheyenne, Deuel and Garden counties, will discuss available government programs and resources for agricultural producers.
Mary Reece will provide an overview of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 2026 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) disaster program and other technical assistance opportunities. Her presentation will focus on conservation practices and recovery resources available to landowners affected by wildfire.
Organized by Nebraska Extension, the event aims to provide practical, science-based information on rangeland recovery, livestock management and assistance programs. By combining field observations with expert presentations, the program will equip producers with tools to support long-term recovery and resilience.
The event is free to attend, but advance registration is requested for meal planning purposes. To register, contact Morgan Wiant at the Nebraska Extension Office in Oshkosh at 308-772-3311 or mwiant2@unl.edu. Questions about the program can be directed to Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.
Photo Credit: ontario-ministry-of-natural-resources
Categories: Nebraska, Education, Livestock