Livestock

All Livestock Content

blades of brome grass with a brown to black, thumbnail-shaped growth on one of the blades.

Ergot: A Potential Livestock Poisoning Problem

Cool, damp weather followed by warmer temperatures favors grasses becoming infected with ergot bodies, which can cause a certain kind of poisoning that can affect cattle on pasture.

Farmer signing a lease on the tailgate of a pickup.

Oral Lease Agreements Automatically Renew on September 1, 2024

September 1 is the automatic renewal date for all oral land lease agreements in South Dakota. If landowners or renters wish to make changes to the components of the lease, written notice must be given by the September 1 deadline.

a room is pictured from above with round tables covered in blue and yellow tablecloths. a large picture of the SDSU jackrabbit logo is on the far wall

Save the date for 2024 SDSU Swine Day

July 23, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension invites swine producers and industry members to save the date for the 2024 SDSU Swine Day on Nov. 12 in Brookings.

Fence line along a storm-damaged pasture in Butte County, South Dakota.

Pasture Recovery After Hail

When hail hits pastures, it essentially strips the leaves and breaks the stems of plants. When this occurs, it is essential to allow plants and grasses time to fully recover before grazing or haying again.

Ultrasound machine used for sheep

Register now for SDSU Extension Sheep Ultrasound Certification School

July 22, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension is hosting a sheep ultrasound certification school from 8 a.m. Aug. 24 to noon Aug. 26, 2024, at the SDSU Sheep Research and Teaching Unit, located 1.5 miles north of the SDSU campus.

A series of combines harvesting a sprawling field in early fall.

An Update on Agricultural Carbon Markets

Agricultural carbon credits have recently re-emerged as a topic of discussion, and this time in a different policy and demand environment compared to the early 2000s.

Young farmer at a table using smart device to review data and plan a customized seed application.

Adoption of Precision Agriculture Practices in South Dakota

Findings from the 2022 Agriculture Census along with a recent regional survey revealed insights into precision agriculture adoption throughout South Dakota, including which technologies are being most widely being adopted.

Herd of cattle grazing a flood-impacted pasture.

Management of Flood-Damaged Pastures

Receding flood water is just the start of recovering pasture ground following a flood event. Learn some expert tips for thoroughly evaluating damaged pastures before regrazing.

Flooded soybean field with tan, corn residue throughout.

Replanting in Flooded Soybean Fields

If you have large, flooded areas where soybeans have died this summer and herbicides are limiting your replant options, consider trying late-maturing soybeans as cattle feed this year.

Black angus bull and heifers.

Trichomoniasis: A Tricky Cause of Reproductive Failure in Beef Cattle

Trichomoniasis in cattle is caused by a protozoal organism that lives indefinitely in the sheath of infected bulls. Once transmitted to a cow or heifer, it causes an inflammation in the female reproductive tract that results in the eventual loss of the pregnancy.