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Left: Fresh herbs preserved inside ice cubes. Right: Variety of fresh herbs hanging in bunches from a burlap string.

Preserving Herbs

Fresh herbs add amazing flavor to recipes during the summertime! Their great flavors can be carried over to cooler seasons through the preservation of the plants and leaves, and the two best ways to extend the life (and flavor) of herbs is through freezing or dehydrating.

Gardener holding a handful of healthy soil.

Soil Health and Why it Matters

Investing in soil health will benefit your garden or farm for generations to come. Learn how to actively manage the physical, chemical, and biological properties of your soil to optimize its long-term health.

a map showing the precipitation outlook for June 2020

Summer 2020 Climate & Drought Outlook

August 12, 2020

With alternating cool and warm weather patterns throughout the last few months and the summer season ahead, temperature continues to be a challenge for climate forecasters in South Dakota.

A woman holding a frozen pork cut next to an open freezer.

Pork Carcass Fabrication: Packaging and Meat Safety

This article is intended to provide guidance on the proper techniques for packaging meat and storing meat at home.

A small herd of cattle gathered around a pond on an open range.

Financial Considerations With Livestock Grazing Distribution

With spring turnout to grass here for some ranchers and just around the corner for others, proper livestock grazing distribution is a key aspect of a comprehensive grazing management plan.

Toxic Plants in Dormant Pasture and Hay: Field Pennycress

Toxic plants negatively impact livestock by decreasing reproductive performance (breeding and calving rate), reducing weight gains, and causing animal health issues and death. Assessing and treating animals experiencing toxicity may increase operation costs through either veterinary intervention or death loss.

Two black angus cattle grazing on a variety of grasses.

Grass-Fed Beef: Understanding Terminology in Conventionally Raised Beef and Grass-Fed Beef

What makes grass-fed beef different from conventionally raised beef? This is perhaps the most-common and sometimes most-complex question that arises amongst those hoping to understand the similarities and differences between conventional and grass-fed beef.

a dad and mom with three children and a yellow lab walking through short grass

Wellness

Our programs are designed to improve the quality of life for individuals and families, and the communities in which they live, work, and play.

Small group of black angus cattle at pasture.

Springtime Vaccines: Tools For Healthy Summer Calves

Vaccines can be a valuable tool for cattle producers looking to help keep their calves healthy on summer pasture.

Oat leaf with water-soaked, brown longitudinal lesions on the top-half of the leaf blade.

Bacterial Blight Developing in Oats

Oats scouted in a few fields in the Eastern and South Central parts of the state were found with bacterial blight developing on the lower leaves. Plants infected have leaves with water-soaked brown longitudinal lesions in the top-half of the leaf. Severe symptoms can lead to premature leaf death.