Skip to main content

Farm Management

All Farm Management Content

An orange plastic hoop placed around a portion of tall grass on a range to provide a measurement.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure: Range Record Keeping

Range record keeping helps detect and demonstrate landscape changes that have a direct impact on your ability to maintain or grow your herd.

Herd of bison behind a fencline in a pasture.

Getting Started With Bison Ranching

While bison ranching has some similarities with cattle ranching, there are significant differences that must be accounted for to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability.

Interior of a large dairy barn.

Dairy Production in South Dakota: Growth and Consolidation

Research has found continued growth in dairy production in South Dakota over the past two decades, with most growth concentrated in large operations in Eastern South Dakota, indicating a trend of consolidation with large farms in concentrated regions.

USDA agent and producer reviewing paperwork at a desk.

An Analysis of Margin Protection Crop Insurance on Corn and Soybeans in South Dakota

Margin protection crop insurance, an endorsement/policy that insures producers against rising input costs, is growing in popularity in South Dakota. Recent research investigated how South Dakota margin protection payouts compared to our neighboring states.

Cattle gathered in a sale barn.

Purchasing Bred Females

Weaning time is here and the decision to retain or sell heifers is front and center. Regardless of your decision, there is opportunity to purchase bred females and increase the calves available to market next season in a strong market.

A group of brown cattle foraging in a green field.

Prussic Acid Poisoning

As the first frost date approaches, producers often have concerns about the risk of prussic acid poisoning in livestock. Certain forage plants, especially sorghums and related species are associated with an increased risk of death loss because of prussic acid poisoning.

A photo of two beef cattle with their heads in a typical feeder that contains golden-brown hay.

Feed Management for Efficient U.S. Livestock Systems: Introducing the National Animal Nutrition Program’s Feed Management Committee

The National Animal Nutrition Program’s Feed Management Committee brings together experts in animal science, nutrition, and natural resource management to increase awareness and use of livestock feeding management and to address conservation needs.

A family of 5 walking on a farm, holding hands
Sep 19

Ag Economic Dialogues - September

This free, 1-hour webinar was created to assist farmers and ranchers in making the best and most profitable decisions for their operations.

group of young piglets

The Healthy Swine Herd Series

Series of publications to keep your swine herd healthy

Rancher looking at cattle in a pasture

Sustaining the Legacy

Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota's economy. Sustaining the Legacy is the educational link to planning the continuance of multi-generational farming and ranching operations.