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mostly black cattle stand around a dugout with water. the grass is green and the sky is blue

SDSU Extension offering livestock water testing across state

June 18, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is encouraging producers to take advantage of its free, on-site livestock water testing services across the state.

black angus cow at pasture

Hot Weather Challenges Beef Cattle

Hot weather conditions create challenges for grazing beef cattle.

two men viewing a laptop on the hood of a white pickup

Beef Quality Assurance

South Dakota producers have the option to receive beef quality assurance (BQA) certification.

A rancher and RMA agent reviewing insurance paperwork beside a off-road vehicle.

Livestock Risk Protection for Cattle

Price rallies, general price volatility and concern that prices may move lower could lead producers to insure livestock prices. Livestock Risk Protection is an insurance program that covers the single-peril or risk of lower prices on fed cattle and feeder cattle.

Two men walking near a drainage water recycling pond

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.”

Cattle Market Update

During this episode of Cattle HQ, we visited with Matt Diersen, SDSU Extension Risk/Business Management Specialist about the most recent cattle on feed report that was released in the middle of February.

Farmer ranching his hand out for a cow to sniff

Cattle Behavior

Working cattle is an essential part of management. However, it can be stressful for the livestock and humans involved. The more we learn and understand about cattle behavior, the less stress these handling events will cause.

Ranchers meeting with USDA agents in a farmyard.

A Disaster-Ready Strategy for Cattle Operations

Cattle producers can minimize risk and maximize resilience. Having a written emergency action plan and routine exercise of the plan helps ensure animal welfare and business continuity.

Swine drinking from a waterer in a finishing facility.

Water Usage Increased by Dietary Phytase Incorporation in Growing and Finishing Swine

Total water usage is an important consideration in sustainable pork production. Recent research at the SDSU investigated water usage of growing and finishing pigs fed diets without or with phytase included in the diet.

Small group of cattle at the SDSU Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility.

Basis for Lighter-Weight Feeder Cattle

With higher overall price levels, the price differences across cattle of different weights have also increased. As a result, producers may want to revisit some pricing rules reflected in price slides and in basis levels for lighter-weight feeder cattle.