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Livestock

All Livestock Content

Two young swine drinking water in a wean-to-finish facility.

Considerations of Water for Sustainable Swine Production

The sustainability of water for swine revolves around responsible sourcing of water, efficient distribution, waste management, and continuous improvement in farming practices.

A row of sow pens in a swine facility.

Capsicum Oleoresin Fed to Grow-Finish Pigs Improved Carcass Value

Feed additives are low incorporation, non-nutritive, feed ingredients designed to provide benefits in the growth, feed efficiency, and/or feed intake of animals and ultimately lower the cost of production.

Several young swine in a feeding facility.

Branched Chain Amino Acids Levels in Swine Diets Containing Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles

Incorporation of dried distillers grains with solubles in swine diets above 20% can negatively impact growth performance of pigs. An imbalance in the branched chain amino acids, specifically excess leucine, is one potential explanation of this decrease in performance.

SDSU off-site wean-to-finish production barn.

Balanced Branched Chain Amino Acids in High Corn-Distillers-Dried-Grains-With-Solubles Diets Adjusted by Soybean Meal Level

Recent research at the SDSU commercial wean-to-finish research facility investigated the growth impact of different branched-chain-amino-acids-to-lysine ratios in swine diets high in corn distillers dried grains with solubles.

Urea supplement in a feed scoop.

Considerations of Urea Use in Cattle Rations

In beef cattle nutrition, it is important to understand how protein is used along with the various protein sources available for diets. Urea is an example of a non-protein nitrogen source that can be used in diets in certain situations.

black cattle lined up at a feedbunk

Using Corn Wisely for Replacement Heifers

Producers’ goals are to maximize returns and this could be achieved through least-cost rations that provide the desired performance.

Feed truck loading up a feedlot feed bunker.

Incorporating Corn Into Beef Cow Rations Can Save Forage and Feed Expenses

For operations with the right facilities and management ability, replacing forage with corn can stretch forage supplies and potentially reduce feed costs.

several cattle standing and sitting by a windbreak

Cold Weather Management Options

Winter weather conditions impact cattle as well as the cattle producers. Cold temperatures combined with wind creates more stress and increased management to achieve similar animal performance.

Bison herd roaming a vast, rolling plain.

Show Me the Home Where the Buffalo Once Roamed

Have you ever wondered when and where bison were roaming during the colonial period in North America and before? Take an in-depth look at the historic extent of occurrence of bison to better understand their natural habitat.

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.