Skip to main content

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

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.