Pasture

Pastures and rangelands are a valuable resource for owners of equine and livestock. Our SDSU Extension team can help you maximize their nutritional value, overall health and longevity by providing research-based best management practices customized to the climate, use and geographical location of your pasture or rangelands.

These grasslands are also home to pollinators and wildlife. When landowners invest in their pasture and rangelands, they invest in one of South Dakota’s great resources.

Upcoming Events

Jan 13 - 14

Northern Plains Forage Association Annual Meeting

The Northern Plains Forage Association will host its annual meeting and educational seminars January 13-14, 2027 at the Brandon Holiday Inn Express (1103 N Splitrock Blvd, Brandon, SD 57005).

Cow Share Agreements

Getting started in the cattle business can be tricky for beginning cattlemen due to the amount of capital investment needed upfront. Under the right conditions, cow share agreements can bring beginning and established producers together to relieve some of that burden.

Patch of Canada thistle rosettes growing in a yard.

Is It Too Late to Spray Weeds?

There are a lot of uncertainties with spraying perennial weeds in mid-fall. Under the right weather conditions, some applications may still be worthwhile. However, expensive herbicides applied to large swaths of land may be too risky this late in the season.

Drought-stressed pasture near Ladner, South Dakota.

Pasture, Rangeland and Forage – Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program: Overview and Guidelines for South Dakota Producers

The Pasture, Rangeland and Forage – Rainfall Index crop insurance program has been available in South Dakota since 2013, and some South Dakota producers have used its payouts to protect their operation from the risks of forage loss when rainfall falls below the local average.