Livestock

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From left: Meadow deathcamas in a South Dakota prairie rangeland. Silvery Lupine in a rangeland in South Dakota.

Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Deathcamas and Lupine

With prolonged drought conditions throughout many areas of South Dakota, there is an increase of invasive weeds and poisonous plants on rangelands. Identification of poisonous plants is crucial to ensure livestock production is not compromised.

Three poisonous rangeland plants. From left: Hemlock, Halogeton and Buffalo Bur.

Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Hemlock, Halogeton and Buffalo Bur

Several species of poisonous plants are invasive and can easily establish dense stands when there is a disturbance on rangelands. Hemlocks, halogeton and buffalo bur can all be found throughout South Dakota and are toxic to livestock.

Two poisonous rangeland plants. Left: Woolly Locoweed. Right: Lambert Crazyweed (Purple Locoweed).

Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Locoweed and Crazyweed

Locoweed and crazyweed are found throughout South Dakota rangelands, and both can cause livestock poisoning.The names locoweed and crazyweed are often used interchangeably. However, there are notable differences between the species.

Low larkspur and twogrooved poisonvetch plants growing in rangeland.

Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Larkspur and Poisonvetch

Larkspurs are the second leading cause for all livestock deaths from toxic plant poisoning. Poisonvetches are considered accumulator plants that uptake excessive levels of selenium and cause toxicity problems in cattle.

A glass of milk and a milk pitcher.

What is an Ultra-Filtered Milk Product?

Milk products made using ultrafiltration offer higher contents of valuable components, such as protein and calcium.

South Dakota State University Swine Education and Research Facility exterior.

SDSU Extension to Host Swine Day Event

October 24, 2022

SDSU Extension will host a Swine Day event to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility. The event will be held at McCrory Gardens on Tuesday, Nov. 1, starting at 9:00 a.m. CDT.

purple flower with yellow center and green, fuzzy stem

Common Flowering Plants (Forbs) of South Dakota

This guide focuses on forbs, or flowering “broad-leaved” herbaceous plants, but forbs can be narrow-leaved as well.

South Dakota State University Extension logo

SDSU Department of Animal Science Welcomes New Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Beef Reproductive Physiology Specialist

October 14, 2022

Jessica Drum, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Beef Reproductive Physiology Specialist, will focus on reproduction research within the beef cattle industry and share her knowledge through SDSU Extension programs and teaching.

Group of mixed calves in a feedlot.

Calf Value Discovery Program

The Calf Value Discovery Program enables cow-calf producers to assess the value of their cattle in value-based marketing systems and gain valuable carcass and feedlot performance information to aid in management decisions and improve profitability.

A red tractor driving on a county highway with an orange triangle sign on the rear.

Farm Equipment, Safety on the Road, Everyone’s Role

National Farm Safety Week serves as a safety reminder for those involved in agriculture. During harvest, we will see an increase in farm equipment on the road, including tractors, combines, grain carts, silage choppers and silage trucks.