Livestock

Our Experts

Addie Womack

Robert Thaler

Bob Thaler

Erin DeHaan

Professional headshot of Jaelyn Quintana

Jaelyn Whaley

Professional headshot of Jessica Drum

Jessica Drum

Julie Walker

Professional portrait of Logan Vandermark

Logan Vandermark

Professional portrait of Madison Kovarna

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

Bison herd roaming a vast, rolling plain.
Jan 22

National Bison Association Winter Conference

The National Bison Association Winter Conference will be held January 22-25, 2025, at the Omni Interlocken Hotel (500 Interlocken Blvd, Broomfield, CO 80021).

Market trends
Feb 20

Markets and Inventory Cattle HQ Live

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

Beef cattle grazing in a pasture
Mar 20

Spring Pasture Management Cattle HQ Live

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

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

A black cow restrained in a chute with a small table of vaccination equipment to the side.

Injection Site Lesions

Injection site lesions can cause damage to costly beef cuts. The Beef Quality Assurance program aims to educate producers on proper injection site management, reducing the occurrence of lesions and leading to better-quality beef.

Two farm cats in the snow near a farm structure.

Cat Death Losses Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in South Dakota

Veterinarians and laboratory diagnosticians are fielding reports of death losses in cat populations linked to avian influenza infections.

Two pastures side-by-side. The left has minimal snow capture due to reduced plant residue. The right has ample snow capture throughout due to increased plant residue.

Winter Pasture Report: What’s your plan for spring?

Widespread drought conditions persist across the upper Great Plains into the beginning of 2025. During drought conditions, it is extremely important for producers to regularly assess precipitation and forage resources so they can manage livestock accordingly.