Livestock

All Livestock 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.

Producers cutting meat with a band saw.

Butcher's Guide to Red Meat

The purpose of this guide is to serve as an educational resource to help bridge the knowledge gap between livestock producers, meat processors, and consumers to aid in furthering processor education and to serve as a resource to reference when answering consumer questions.

Producer unloading fresh, farm-grown produce from a delivery truck at a super market.

Regulatory Guidance for Selling Foods in South Dakota

Now more than ever, we are seeing food processors and entrepreneurs in South Dakota bringing their food products, not only to farmers markets, but also to retail stores. This article provides regulatory guidance and outlines the necessary steps required to allow for the sale of foods to retail stores.

group of young piglets

Swine

Providing pork producers with the research-based information and resources they need to keep South Dakota swine herds healthy and profitable is a focus of our team. 

South Dakota State University Swine Education and Research Facility exterior.
Jun 06

South Dakota Swine Summit

South Dakota Swine Summit is a program for youth ages 12-21 interested in learning more about the swine industry. This event will take place on June 6, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at various locations on the campus of South Dakota State University.

Two cows graze in a green pasture

SDSU Extension hosts risk management webinar series

March 20, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is hosting a series of free Strong Minds, Strong Farms webinars for anyone involved in agriculture.

Field with field peas and blue sky with fluffy white clouds

Weed Control: Pulse Crops

Weed competition can cause significant yield reduction in pulse crops. Pulse crops are weak competitors with weeds, therefore planning an effective weed control program is one of the keys to profitable production.

Two young women observing a group of sheep in a holding pen.

Managing Sheep Keds

Sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) are blood-sucking external parasites that can significantly impact sheep production.

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.

grass with field bindweed, a viny green weed with white flowers

Weed Control: Noxious Weeds

Weed control recommendations for noxious weeds in South Dakota.