Livestock

Our Experts

Robert Thaler

Bob Thaler

Professional headshot of Jaelyn Quintana

Jaelyn Whaley

Professional headshot of Jessica Drum

Jessica Drum

Julie Walker

Kelly Froehlich

Ken Olson

Ken Olson

Logan Vandermark

Madison Kovarna

Maristela Rovai

Maristela Rovai

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South Dakota producers face new challenges each day. SDSU Extension is your partner, providing resources and expertise to help meet production goals.

Featured Resources

A South Dakota Mesonet station in a snow-covered field.

Livestock Stress Tool

Weather conditions in the Northern Plains can present more than a few challenges for livestock producers. From below zero or blizzard conditions during winter or even spring, to heat waves in the summer months, farmers and ranchers need to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions to provide the best care for their livestock and minimize their risks of losses.

A vast, open rangeland with a few patches of weeds.

Noxious Weed Control in Pasture and Range

Noxious weed control in pastures is becoming more of a challenge. Most ground commercial spray businesses are no longer spraying pastures. If they are, there may be restrictions on the time they will spray, what products they will spray, or they may only spray if they also have all of the rest of your spraying business.

Upcoming Events

Several red angus cattle feeding at a feed bunk.
Dec 06

Environmental Training for CAFOs - December

SDSU Extension will host an environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on December 6 at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron (100 Fourth St. S.W. in Huron, 57350).

A cow at the Cottonwood Field Station with her head in the green colored chamber of the GreenFeeder
Dec 08

Precision Livestock Management Field Day

SDSU Extension will host a Precision Livestock Management Field Day on Friday, December 8 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility (2901 Western Ave, Brookings, SD 57006).

A herd of cattle gather around a stock pond on a vast, lush grassland. Courtesy: USDA [CC BY 2.0]
Dec 13

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences, in partnership with SDSU Extension as well as the Cooperative Extension Service and Animal Science Departments of the University of Nebraska and the University of Wyoming will host the 28th Range Beef Cow Symposium on Dec. 13-14 at The Ranch in Loveland, Colorado.

Related Topics

Dairy Cattle, Goats, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, Swine, Animal Welfare, Quality Assurance, Animal Health, Pasture, Range, Barns, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, Beef Feedlot and Backgrounding, Beef Herd Health and Quality Assurance, Beef Industry and General Management, Beef Marketing and Economics, Beef Nutrition, Beef Reproduction and Genetics

Related Content

Ranch family examining data on a smart phone.

Feed Costs Still a Large Percentage of the Cow Budget

Monitoring, managing, and minimizing feed costs while maintaining a balanced ration is one way to maximize profit potential in the cow herd. Learn some expert tips for creating a least-cost ration.

SDSU off-site wean-to-finish production barn.

Evaluating the Effects of Replacing Soy Protein Concentrate with Corn-Fermented Protein on Growth Performance and Gut Integrity of Weaned Pigs

A recent trial at the SDSU offsite swine commercial wean-to-finish research barn investigated if corn-fermented protein could replace soy protein concentrate in weaned pig diets with similar effects on growth performance and gut integrity.

Urea supplement in a feed scoop.

Considerations of Urea Use in Cattle Rations

In beef cattle nutrition, it is important to understand how protein is used along with the various protein sources available for diets. Urea is an example of a non-protein nitrogen source that can be used in diets in certain situations.