Search

small group of cattle on a small piece of dry land surrounded by flood waters. FEMA News Photo

Preserving Your Ability To Care for Your Animals When Flooding Occurs

When winter snowfall begins to melt, severe spring flooding can be a real possibility. Of the people witnessing the rising water, livestock producers and other animal caretakers have perhaps the most daunting task.

a fern plant growing in a mulched garden with tall, brown growths at its center

Ferns: A Classic Shade Garden Plant

When people think of a natural, shady area in the woods, they probably expect to see ferns growing there. Ferns are commonly found where they get at least some sun during part of the day, or where they receive dappled sunlight most of the day.

a creep feeder unit in a pasture. Photo by Alice Welch, USDA

Considering Creep Feeding

Despite what Mother Nature seems to think the summer months are approaching and for some that means rolling out the creep feeder and for others considering whether creep feeding is a necessary investment.

Flooded farm yard. Photo by John Shea, FEMA.

Checking and Treating Domestic Water Supplies After a Flood

Depending on its location, domestic well water supplies can oftentimes be negatively impacted during a flood.

young woman standing by the oceanside with arms outstretched

Be Conscious of Your Financial Wellness

Just like going for a wellness checkup with your doctor, checking in on your financials is an important part of a well-rounded healthy lifestyle.

herd of mixed cattle on a muddy mound in a feedlot

Mud and Lameness in Beef Cattle

Melting snow and spring rains produce conditions that can increase lameness in beef cattle. Mud is among the predisposing causes for cattle lameness.

Monitoring and Correcting Magnesium Deficiency in High Tunnels

This point in the growing season is a good time to monitor and correct for magnesium deficiency in high tunnel crops, especially on tomatoes. Deficiency symptoms normally appear mid-season on plants with heavy fruit loads.

Drylotting Cow-Calf Pairs

Whether because of reduced forage production caused by drought, or increased competition for grazing acres, feeding lactating cows in a drylot is being at least considered as an option by more ranchers.

Altitude Adjustments for Home Canning

There are many guidelines to follow when canning, an important one often overlooked is checking one’s need to adjust for altitude.

Picture shows a dense and diverse cover crop mix grown after cereal grain. The cover crop is very green with many brassica and grass plants growing. The top third of the picture is the sky with some gray clouds.

South Dakota Land Use Trends (2012-2017)

Significant education efforts for natural resource conservation have occurred in South Dakota during the last five years. Many stakeholder groups have brought awareness for soil health and water quality to the forefront.