Search

Brown and white cow grazing on standing cornstalks

Considerations for Grazing Standing Corn

Grazing standing corn is a viable option to supply nutrients to livestock. However, mitigating risk is critical to ensure healthy animals and optimize crops.

Lush, riparian vegetation growing alongside a stream running through rangeland.

Ranching and Prairie Streams: Riparian Vegetation

Riparian vegetation consists of the collection of plants that thrive along streams, riverbanks, and wetlands. Learn about the many ecological benefits this vegetation provides.

A small herd of black angus cattle at pasture.

Basics of Body Condition Scoring (BCS)

Fact sheet about the basics of body condition scoring for cattle.

White beef cow with calf in a pasture.

Strategic Culling During Drought Can Strengthen Ranch Profitability

In today’s cattle market, thoughtful culling decisions can provide a dual benefit, generating immediate income from strong cull cow prices while reducing the number of animals to feed during periods of high feed costs and drought stress.

bales in a field

Forage

SDSU Extension works with forage producers, providing them with access to quick tests, research-based information, and best management practices to help maximize yields and nutritional quality of forages.

A group of young workers sitting at a table putting their hands together.

Advantages Of Rural Community Living

At a Stronger Economies Together session held in Midland, SD in March, I asked the question “how many of you live here because of the quality of life?” Nearly everyone in the room raised a hand. So what is it about the quality of life that we so enjoy? Is it that we don’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of traffic in the city? Is it the peace and quiet?

Microscope analyzing a slide.

How the Veterinary Lab Diagnoses Anthrax in a Beef Herd

Anthrax is a serious disease of cattle that pops up somewhere almost every year in South Dakota. It’s caused by a bacteria that survives as a very tough spore form in the soil. Knowing whether a death on pasture has been caused by anthrax is important for several reasons.

Mooving the Calving Season

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow Calf Field Specialist visited with Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Natural Resources and Wildlife Field Specialist about how to manage moving the calving season from March to May to reduce input costs and calve on grass.

small group of mixed calves

Does Cold Weather Contribute to Pneumonia in Calves?

Prolonged winter cold has some fairly obvious effects on cattle of all ages.

Aerial view of South Dakota wetlands.

Prairie Pothole Wetlands: Small Basins, Big Impact

The benefits of prairie wetlands extend far beyond wildlife. These wetlands filter pollutants and excess nutrients from agricultural and urban runoff, trap sediment, recharge groundwater, and store floodwater.