Livestock

All Livestock Content

A group of people stands in a pasture

beefSD helps cattle producers ‘raise the steaks’

January 17, 2025

Since 2010, 175 participants from more than 100 operations in South Dakota and Minnesota have completed beefSD. The well-established intensive educational program is designed to take beginning beef producers to the next level in beef enterprise management.

A black cow restrained in a chute with a small table of vaccination equipment to the side.

Injection Site Lesions

Injection site lesions can cause damage to costly beef cuts. The Beef Quality Assurance program aims to educate producers on proper injection site management, reducing the occurrence of lesions and leading to better-quality beef.

Two farm cats in the snow near a farm structure.

Cat Death Losses Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in South Dakota

Veterinarians and laboratory diagnosticians are fielding reports of death losses in cat populations linked to avian influenza infections.

Farm employee inspecting a piece of heavy machinery.

Safety & Training

Covering the range from animal handling to equipment safety, including training and certification to keep producers and their workforce productive.

Two pastures side-by-side. The left has minimal snow capture due to reduced plant residue. The right has ample snow capture throughout due to increased plant residue.

Winter Pasture Report: What’s your plan for spring?

Widespread drought conditions persist across the upper Great Plains into the beginning of 2025. During drought conditions, it is extremely important for producers to regularly assess precipitation and forage resources so they can manage livestock accordingly.

A white mineral supplement tub placed in a pasture, where several black cattle are grazing.

The Mineral Supplementation Puzzle: Pre-made Mixes Vs. Single Ingredients

Minerals are an important piece to the cattle herd nutrition puzzle. Supplementation method is important to examine, as mineral supplementation is another cost in maintaining a herd.

SDSU cheerleader holding a yellow lamb pelt with the SDSU mascot

33rd Lamb Bonanza to showcase sheep industry during SDSU basketball game

January 02, 2025

The 2025 Lamb Bonanza is Saturday, Jan. 11, at First Bank & Trust Arena on the SDSU campus in Brookings. The game starts at 2 p.m. and features the SDSU women versus the University of Missouri-Kansas City Roos.

Beef cattle in a snow covered feedlot

SDSU Extension to provide educational sessions during 2025 Dakota Farm Show

December 19, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension will provide a day of educational sessions for crop and cattle producers during the 2025 Dakota Farm Show in Vermillion.

sorrel horse with trees in the background

Other Animals

With access to faculty and researchers, and extensive experience, our team provides South Dakotans with resources to help answer questions.

close up of black cow and the words cattle HQ

SDSU Extension launching Cattle HQ live webinar series

December 10, 2024

Each month’s webinar will feature a speaker discussing timely topics and the latest SDSU Extension research and resources.