Modern agriculture requires savvy financial planning and strategy. SDSU Extension's agricultural economics experts are your source for operating techniques and business skills to improve your bottom line.
Our Experts
Ag Economic Dialogues
Ag Economic Dialogues was created to assist farmers and ranchers in making the best and most profitable decisions for their operations. Each month, several topics will be covered during a free, 1-hour webinar which begins at 10:00 a.m. CST. Producers can engage with our experts from the comfort and convenience of their own chair, tractor or combine.
Featured Resources
South Dakota Agricultural Land Market Trends
The 2025 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 35th annual survey of agricultural land values and cash rental rates by land use and quality in different regions of South Dakota.
Monthly Cattle Prices and Basis Levels
Effective marketing and risk management techniques often rely on sound benchmarks. Those marketing cattle need reasonable metrics to evaluate received and expected prices.
Strategic and Scenario Planning in Ranching: Managing Risk in Dynamic Times
A changing marketplace, price volatility, labor availability, record high feeder calf prices, the effects of the ethanol industry: How will your ranch operation adapt?
Decision Aid Tools
In The Cattle Markets
Matthew Diersen, Professor & SDSU Extension Risk/Business Management Specialist, is a contributing author for In The Cattle Markets. This weekly report, issued by the Livestock Marketing Information Center, features the expertise of Texas A&M, Mississippi State University, Colorado State University, University of Wisconsin - River Falls, South Dakota State University and University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Upcoming Events
International Farm Transition Network - Fairness in Farm Succession
SDSU Extension and the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) will hold an online training session on July 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CDT.
Whole Farm Planning - Integrating Childcare
SDSU Extension will host a workshop to help farm families integrate childcare into their whole farm plan on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the SDSU Extension Watertown Regional Center (1910 West Kemp Ave, Watertown, SD).
Ag Economic Dialogues - July
This free, 1-hour webinar was created to assist farmers and ranchers in making the best and most profitable decisions for their operations.
Ag Economic Dialogues - August
This free, 1-hour webinar was created to assist farmers and ranchers in making the best and most profitable decisions for their operations.
Ag Economic Dialogues - September
This free, 1-hour webinar was created to assist farmers and ranchers in making the best and most profitable decisions for their operations.
Related Content
Small Acreage Grassland Tour
SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition will host a small acreage tour on the evening of July 9, 2025, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. CDT at Pete and Bridget Bauman's acreage (17755 456 Ave, Watertown, SD 57201).
SDSU Basis Report: Monitoring Agricultural Market Dynamics
The SDSU Basis Report application provides an interactive platform for monitoring basis values, representing the difference between the cash price paid for grain locally and the nearby futures price.
South Dakota Ag Land Income Tracker
The South Dakota Ag Land Income Tracker is designed to estimate and display changes to the annual revenue per acre derived from standard agricultural practices on an average, unimproved cropland acre in South Dakota counties.