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Livestock

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

Ultrasound machine used for sheep
Nov 22

Sheep Pregnancy Ultrasound School

SDSU Extension will host a sheep ultrasound school on November 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SDSU Sheep Research and Teaching Unit (3729 Medary Ave., Brookings, SD 57007).

Beef calf
Dec 10

Cow/Calf Calving Camp @ Watertown

SDSU Extension will host an interactive Cow/Calf Calving Camp on December 10 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Lake Area Technical College in the MET Building (1226 Arrow Ave NE, Watertown, SD 57201).

Black angus cow with newborn calf in an early spring pasture.
Jan 06

Cow/Calf Calving Camp @ Mitchell

SDSU Extension will host an interactive Cow/Calf Calving Camp on January 6 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at SDSU Extension Mitchell Regional Center (1800 E Spruce Street, Mitchell, SD 57301).

group of people inspecting beef carcass
Jan 06

Beef 20/20

SDSU Extension will host a hands-on workshop for cattle industry stakeholders on January 6-8, held in the Animal Science Complex (1097 N Campus Dr., Brookings, SD 57007) on the campus of South Dakota State University.

Beef calf
Dec 18

Looking to Calving Season Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd.