Natural Resources
All Natural Resources Content
Management-Intensive Grazing Plays a Key Role in Expanding Grass-Based Agriculture
By improving livestock carrying capacity and reducing feed costs, grazing strategies at greater management intensity have the potential to improve grass-based livestock production profits.
Ready, Set, Manage Hay Differently
Feed is expensive and sometimes hard to find. Pasture prices, harvest expenses, hauling and waste add to the total feed bill. Evaluate your forage situation this winter and make changes that improve your profitability.
Creating Management Zones Using Electrical Conductivity
The first step to practicing zone management is to identify the variations that control yield. There are various methods for characterizing soil variations within a field, and among them, electrical conductivity measurement is one of the most-reliable.
Introduced Grasses and Forbs
While native grasslands contribute greatly to the integrity of the overall grassland community in South Dakota, the use of introduced grasses has proven a popular alternative for some producers.
Online Eastern South Dakota Water Conference set for Oct. 20
December 29, 2021
The theme for this year’s conference is “Ground Truth – Water Resource Management and Remote Sensing.”
Determining an Economically Optimal Nitrogen Rate for Corn in 2022
While we can't know what the prices of corn and nitrogen fertilizer will be next year, it is very important to understand how the level of both prices will influence corn profitability for 2022.
La Niña Expected to Influence 2021-22 Winter Climate
November 23, 2021
La Niña conditions have been officially declared this season by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but what does that mean for South Dakota’s winter climate, and this year’s outlook in particular?
Fall Soil Sampling
With fertilizer prices on the rise, it’s more important than ever to understand your soil test levels and crop response to applied fertilizers. Fall is a great time to soil sample before freeze up.
How Do Sulfates in Water Affect Livestock Health?
Poor-quality water will cause an animal to drink less. As a result, they also consume less forage and feed, which leads to weight loss, decreased milk production and lower fertility.
Multi-Species Grazing as an Alternative to Pasture Spraying
Broadacre spraying of pastures is intended to reduce undesirable plants and increase grasses for livestock. This practice often results in unintended consequences, including damage and reduction of native forbs and reduced profitability. One approach to managing perceived “weedy” plants is incorporating different species of livestock into a grazing operation.