Farm Management

All Farm Management Content

Illustration of a rancher making a management decision that triggers a chain of dominoes representing different technologies such as wearable livestock sensors, genetics, satellites, drones, modeling, and data analytics. The falling dominos symbolize how management actions create effects that unfold over time, often with delayed and unintended consequences. Zeros and ones in the background represent the increasing amount of data modern ranchers must interpret when making decisions.

From One Decision to Many Outcomes: Why feed management decisions ripple through beef production systems

Feed management is the starting point of a system that rewards informed decisions and magnifies uninformed ones. Producers who use feed informed nutrition models are often able to reduce waste, increase gains, and decrease costs.

Women standing in a circle learning about rangeland plants

Annie's Project

Annie's Project is open to all who would like to learn more about agricultural business.

Color-coded map showing South Dakota Soybean Yield Average by County from 2015 to 2024. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Statewide Soybeans Production and County-Level Yield Variation in South Dakota

South Dakota’s soybean production has experienced fluctuations in both planted acres and total production over the past decade.

A corn planter planting seeds into wheat residue in a no-till field.

The Economic Advantages of No-Till: Diesel Fuel

While no-till and conservation systems are often discussed for their soil health benefits, the economic advantages are becoming increasingly important in today’s farm economy, particularly when it comes to fuel costs.

Cattle HQ

SDSU Extension's beef team provides valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd through the Cattle HQ podcast and monthly webinars.

Color-coded map of South Dakota map of South Dakota showing corn yield by county. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Statewide Corn Production and County-Level Yield Variation in South Dakota

South Dakota’s corn production has experienced significant increase in both planted acres and production over the past decade.

A screenshot of the ag land soil tables tool.

South Dakota Agricultural Land Soil Productivity Tool

The Ag Land Soil Tables Tool allows users to view soil data and download data by county to further understand the soil rating system. It can help appraisers make baseline agricultural land assessments and determine if adjustments from baseline are needed.

Soybean, wheat and corn plots at the Northeast Research Farm

Custom Rates Survey

SDSU Extension is conducting a survey to better understand current custom rates charged for various crop and livestock operations performed on farms and ranches in South Dakota.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

Crop Budgets

Crop Production Budgets help producers to determine the preliminary cost of production for the major commodities grown in South Dakota.

Hand presenting a GPS tracking tag on a black heifer cow.

GPS Tracking Ear Tags in Beef Cattle Production

GPS tracking ear tags are an exciting advancement in precision livestock technology that can improve operational efficiency, provide real-time animal monitoring, and generate alerts when animals leave designated areas.