Beef

Our Experts

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Erin DeHaan

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Jessica Drum

Professional portrait of Julie Walker

Julie Walker

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Kim Ricardo

Professional portrait of Logan Vandermark

Logan Vandermark

Professional portrait of Parker Witt

Parker Witt

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Robin Salverson

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Stacy Hadrick

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Taylor Grussing

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Cattle HQ

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The podcast for cow/calf producers interested in cutting-edge information about cow/calf production from experts and producers in nutrition, reproduction, health and economics. Hosted by SDSU Extension Field Specialists Madison Kovarna, Robin Salverson and Addie Womack, Cattle HQ will release new episodes every other week.

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Topics

A group of black heifer calves in a feedlot.

Feedlot and Backgrounding

Learn how to add maximum value when finishing your cattle.

small group of cattle resting near feed bunk

Herd Health and Quality Assurance

Explore recommendations to meet the health and management needs of your operation.

A small herd of cattle grazing in snow-covered, spring pasture.

Industry and General Management

View industry updates and general management considerations.

A male producer analyzing records on an office computer.

Marketing and Economics

We go beyond the numbers to help producers explore the impact of different management techniques on their bottom line.

Cattle feeding in a feed bunk.

Nutrition

Use these tools to help develop a balanced nutrition program.

a series of dna chains

Reproduction and Genetics

View timely recommendations for managing your reproduction program.

Featured Resources

Newborn black angus calf with mother cow.

Beef: Best Management Practices for Cow-Calf Production

This comprehensive book provides producers with insight and education into the latest beef management, handling practices and technology.

herd of beef cattle grazing in a pasture

Beef Management & Reproduction Report Card

SDSU Extension tool for producers to track the critical management factors that affect reproductive success in beef cattle.

Group of black cattle at a feed bunk.

Beef Cattle Budgets

What does it cost to maintain a cow for the year? This is a common question asked by producers across the nation.

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Our Programs

beefSD

Artificial Insemination School

Beef Quality Assurance

Upcoming Events

A group of black heifer calves in a feedlot.
Apr 16

Estrous Synchronization with Natural Service Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd. This month we will cover how estrous synchronization can be an effective and cost-efficient tool to be used with bulls.

Participants Kari Feldhaus and Kelsy Hokana work together on an educational activity during Annie’s Project in Britton.
Jun 18

Livestock Risk Protection Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd. This month we will cover the basics of Livestock Risk Protection (LRP).

Beef cattle grazing summer pasture.
Jul 16

The Value of Plant Diversity for Land and Livestock Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd. This month, we will discuss the value of plant diversity for the benefits of pasture health and grazing livestock nutrition.

Cattle outfitted with virtual fence collars on an open rangeland.
May 21

Virtual Fencing Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd. This month, we will discuss current virtual fence systems on the market, considerations for producers interested in utilizing this technology, and current research being conducted at SDSU with virtual fence.

Related Topics

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

Beef cattle herd grazing a lush, green grassland.

Spring Pasture Report: Should You Delay Turnout in 2026?

As spring 2026 begins, South Dakota and most of the High Plains region is starting out well behind the mark in the moisture category.

Calves at sunrise at the SDSU Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility.

Calves From Other Sources

A few longer-run trends continue to dominate the supply-side story of cattle in South Dakota. Beef cow numbers continue to decline. The number of feeder cattle outside of feedlots has remained stable.

Cattle grazing a high-diversity, native pasture.

Connecting Nutrition and Conservation: The Importance of CPS 592

Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) 592 is a practical feed management framework that helps producers move toward greater profitability, accountability, and sustainability without sacrificing performance.