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Group of volunteers working in a garden center.

Master Gardener Volunteer Program

SDSU Extension’s Master Gardener program develops gardening enthusiasts into expert volunteers who share their research-based knowledge with community members across the state.

Black cow standing in winter pasture.

Cow-Calf Share Lease Calculator

Decision aid tool to calculate cow-calf share leases.

Artificial Insemination school attendee working with a liquid nitrogen filled semen tank.

Artificial Insemination (AI) Checklist

A checklist to prepare for artificial insemination for cattle.

A group of youth and adults stand in a grassy pasture

Dedicated educators help South Dakota youth succeed nationally

January 20, 2026

In May, South Dakota sent 84 youth to the National Land and Range Judging Contest in El Reno, Oklahoma. Out of the 34 states that competed, only Texas came close to matching those numbers with 72 participants.

Cattle outfitted with virtual fence collars on an open rangeland.

Range Roundup: Virtual Fencing Project Takes Place at the Cottonwood Field Station

Virtual fencing (borders without physical barriers) has started making waves in the cattle industry, and it can be used to implement precision grazing management. Our team is researching its use and utility at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station starting this summer.

Rangeland and Soils Days participants observing rangeland.

Range Roundup: Opportunities for Youth

There are several opportunities for youth in South Dakota to get exposed to rangeland ecology and management, with involvement from several partners across the state. Learn about some exciting opportunities offered each year!

A Super SmartFeed Producer at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station.

Range Roundup: Heifer Development With Precision Supplementation

In a recent research project, a Super SmartFeed Producer was used in conjunction with two SmartScales for precision heifer supplementation and development. Learn what this technology has to offer for ranching operations.

Photo showing a wildfire recovery on native rangelands.

Range Roundup: Dormant Season Wildfire Project in Northwestern South Dakota

Two of the main environmental conditions that drive post-wildfire rangeland recovery include health of the rangeland ecosystem prior to the wildfire and climatic variables, such as precipitation or drought after the fire event.

Tom Hausmann gives a briefing before the burn, while Greg Schmitz listens with the rest of the burn crew.

Range Roundup: Partnership Between Absentee Landowner and Rancher Allows for Pasture Renovation

Properly maintained pastures require ongoing, cooperative and mutually beneficial processes planned by landowners and renters, especially if the owners are absentee. Learn some key considerations for starting the process.

Color-coded map showing rainfall accumulation at the locations of the four hub study sites in South Dakota. For assistance reading this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

Range Roundup: Precision Agriculture Range Project With Producer Participation

SDSU Extension researchers started a new precision agriculture range project using remote sensing, machine learning, and ground-collected vegetation samples to develop an application to measure forage quality and quantity throughout the state in near real-time.