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Determining Hay Prices
Before pricing forages, producers will want to have a good understanding about the cost of growing a ton of hay, alfalfa or straw.
Census of Agriculture Cattle Insights
The "2017 Census of Agriculture" is a valuable source for insights related to cattle operations at the state level. There were 13,928 operations across South Dakota with cattle in 2017, and the total inventory was 3,988,183 head.
What Goes Into Calculating Yardage?
Yardage cost is the non-feed cost per head for every day that an animal is fed harvested feed in some form of confinement. Yardage is usually associated with calves and yearlings in the feedlot, but this concept can apply to drylotted or wintering cows as well.
Do Temperament and Breed Type Play a Role in Feeding Efficiency and Carcass Quality?
Is there a relationship between temperament and profitability in cattle? A recent study conducted by Texas A&M University took a closer look at the impacts that temperament and breed types can have on feedlot growth performance, feed efficiency, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and value in finishing beef heifers.
Creep Feeding Options: Will it Pay?
Creep-feeding should be evaluated on yearly basis to determine if it will provide production and economic benefits to the operation.
Liver Abscesses: The Unseen Profit Thief
Liver abscesses are a great example of an important value robber in feedlot cattle that’s not immediately apparent.
The Cost of Late Calvers
Pounds of beef sold is a key number for cattlemen. Late calvers the cows that drag out the calving season, may cost producers more than extra work and management, they may actually be costing dollars.
Fetal Programming of Carcass Characteristics
Fetal programming effects on carcass traits as well as offspring growth are currently a large focus area in beef research.
Resources and Options When Feed is Short
SDSU Extension offers resources to help producers find and evaluate feedstuffs to help meet their livestock’s needs.
Methods to Slow Finishing Pig Growth
In abnormal situations, like with the packing plant closure we’re currently dealing with, pork producers may need to “hold” their pigs past normal marketing dates in order for other processing options to open up. We can accomplish that in two ways: altering internal barn environment and changing diets.