A new online tool can help Nebraska ranchers and farmers determine how much should be charged for grazing fields of cornstalks.

Cattle producers may be considering cornstalk grazing for the first time this year because the drought has decimated pastures and forced ranchers to use hay stockpiles earlier than normal.

So the University of Nebraska developed an online tool to help ranchers come up with a fair rate to pay for the cornstalk grazing.

Agricultural economist Matt Stockton says cornstalk grazing may be attractive for ranchers if they can find a field near where their cattle are.

The cornstalk grazing “Cow-Q-Lator” is one of several worksheets available online at http://bit.ly/Rtc5uk .