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![Cover crops growing in a field of harvested corn.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00528-00-cover-crops-corn-grazing-soil-rotation.jpg)
Utilizing Cover Crops for Grazing: An Assessment on Economic Benefits
Grazing cover crops by cattle provides an option to offset cover crop seed costs and increase farm revenue. To facilitate farmers’ decision making, this article will evaluate the economic profitability from grazing cattle on cover crops using a partial budgeting approach.
![A sump pump and emergency backup battery set up in a basement. Courtesy: Jeff Covey (CC BY-SA 2.0)](/sites/default/files/2020-04/W-00541-00-flooding-sump-pump-basement.jpg)
Flooding and Sump Pumps
For many homes with a basement or crawl space, a sump pump and drainage system can help reduce the risk of a basement flooding from high water table situations. Here are a few tips for making sure your sump pump is working as it should, and you are not causing problems for your neighbors downstream.
![A herd of cattle grazing a vast rangeland in west-river South Dakota.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00493-00-cattle-range-grazing-pasture-beef.jpg)
Rotational Grazing Improves Stocking Capacity and Ranch Profitability
Livestock stocking rate is considered as one of the most important decisions that ranchers can make, as heavy stocking rate causes grassland degradation and adversely impact the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services.
![a map of the United States with different colors showing the precipitation outlook variations.](/sites/default/files/2019-09/W-00405-01-precip-map.gif)
Fall Frost and September Climate Outlook for 2019
September 2019 has been pleasantly warmer than usual, and our crops need every bit of that warmth to reach maturity before our first frost arrives. Fortunately, temperatures have cooled slightly this week but just to near average for this time of year.
![A group of brown cattle foraging in a green field.](/sites/default/files/2019-09/W-00412-00-beef-cattle-grazing-forage-prussic-acid.jpg)
Prussic Acid Poisoning
As the first frost date approaches, producers often have concerns about the risk of prussic acid poisoning in livestock. Certain forage plants, especially sorghums and related species are associated with an increased risk of death loss because of prussic acid poisoning.
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.
![A patch of western wheatgrass with ergot fungus growing throughout.](/sites/default/files/2019-10/W-00423-02-ergot-fungus-wheat-grass-western.jpg)
Ergot in Western Wheatgrass and the Potential Effects for Winter Grazing
2019 has been a year fraught with challenges for ranchers across South Dakota. Abundant precipitation is usually a blessing, however, wet conditions coupled with a cool spring followed by warmer temperatures has caused another problem across the rangelands of South Dakota: ergot poisoning.
![A map of South Dakota with several colored boxes indicating areas of increased flood risk. For a complete description, visit the National Weather Service website at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/long_range.php?wfo=fsd](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00497-01-figure-flood-risk-map_0.jpg)
Get to Know Your Local Emergency Management Director
The warmer weather and spring migration this March have us all thinking of better days ahead. Unfortunately, it also has us thinking about flooding again this spring.
![a new small plant growing out of the soil](/sites/default/files/2020-03/MC-00818-sprouting-plant.jpg)
SDSU Extension to Address Economic and Marketing Issues in Crop and Livestock Production During Ag Economic Dialogue Series
August 06, 2020
SDSU Extension will host monthly Ag Economic Dialogues throughout 2020 to assist farmers and ranchers in making the best and most profitable decisions for their operations.
![Two side-by-side fields. The left field is planted with perennial grass. The right field is bare with salty soil exposed.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00513-00-salty-soils-vs-perennial-grass.jpg)
Managing Weeds While Transforming Marginal Land Into Perennial Forages Production
There are currently millions acres across South Dakota impacted by saline and sodic conditions. Research has shown that salt-tolerant perennial grasses are a possible way to bring land back into production.