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Livestock

All Livestock Content

A veterinarian and producer observing a group of animals in a facility.

Bangs Vaccine and Talking to Your Veterinarian

As spring arrives, many cattlemen have selected their replacement heifers for breeding and should be considering pre-breeding and brucellosis vaccination in their replacement females as soon as possible to set them up for a successful breeding season.

dairy beef steers eating out of a feed bunk

Dairy Beef Crosses in the Feedyard

Both feedlot producers and dairymen have a unique set of challenges along with opportunities when it comes to raising and feeding dairy beef cross animals.

Group of mixed cattle grazing drought-stressed pasture.

Maintaining Cow Herds in Times of Limited Fall and Winter Moisture

Lack of moisture has been a common theme for a majority of beef cattle producers in the Northen Great Plains the last few years. These conditions cause beef producers to stretch grazing resources and feed inventory reserves.

Youth inspecting swine in pens

SDSU Extension hosting 2025 Swine Summit for youth

March 18, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to host the 2025 South Dakota Swine Summit on June 12, 2025, on the SDSU campus in Brookings.

a pair of black angus heifers

Heifer Selection Strategies

Producers should consider some common characteristics and questions to help select replacement heifers strategically.

Professional portrait of Rafe Royall

SDSU Extension welcomes new swine specialist

March 11, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Rafe Royall as a new assistant professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist.

South Dakota State University Extension logo

SDSU Extension welcomes new swine field specialist

March 11, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Kaylyn Rudy as the new SDSU Extension Swine Field Specialist.

Healthy, well-managed grassland with a variety of native plants and grasses.

Understanding Grassland Terminology

Before learning the best practices of grassland management, it's important to know some of the common terminology used in the land management and conservation arena.

open rangeland with smooth bromegrass growing throughout

Smooth Bromegrass Grazing Management

Smooth bromegrass is a cool-season introduced grass with an advanced root system that tolerates temperature extremes and drought exceptionally well.

Dormant pasture in Tripp County with adequate residual cover.

Getting Ready for Winter on the Range

During periods of summer and fall drought, winter grazing opportunities may be limited or not available at all. Ranch managers must ensure that enough residual plant height and vegetation cover of the soil surface is available through the winter to aid in recovery of the rangeland.