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semen straw being thawed in a liquid nitrogen tank

Semen Handling Procedures

Before the start of the breeding season, it is a good practice to review the proper semen handling procedures.

Hereford calf nursing from mother cow.

Updated Guidelines for Monitoring Colostrum Consumption and Antibody Transfer in Calves

Dairy and beef producers have long understood the importance of colostrum for the short- and long-term health of their calves. Calf health experts have determined the minimum level of serum protein to categorize a calf as having received sufficient colostrum.

black angus cow licking its nose

Cow Mineral Nutrition: Reading The Tag and Bioavailability

Mineral nutrition is vital to overall cow performance. Not all mineral supplements are created equal, and it is important to know what to look for in a mineral supplement and what you might want to avoid.

A logo of a cow with a calf over the words Sweetheart Ranch

SDSU Extension hosting hands-on soil health workshop at Iona ranch

June 18, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is hosting an educational soil health workshop for women and couples involved in agriculture at the Sweetheart Ranch near Iona.

A flock of white sheep grazing in a small pasture.

Using Corn Silage in Sheep Diet Formulations

Many Midwest producers have limited options for their primary forage source this year and, must utilize ear-less corn stalks as silage for their in livestock feeding systems. Despite the lack of ears on stalks in some areas the resultant corn stover silage is still expected to contain 80% of expected level of energy under normal growing conditions.

A closeup shot of a cow's nose and mouth.

Cow Mineral Nutrition: Trace Minerals and Managing Interactions

Mineral nutrition is vital to overall cow performance. Without appropriate balance of minerals, cows may not perform as desired or could exhibit detrimental effects. There are six trace minerals of significant importance in a cow’s diet.

Mother cow with calf in a dry, drought-stressed rangeland.

Early Registration for 2021 Range Beef Cow Symposium Ends Nov. 1

October 25, 2021

The two-day meeting will be held Nov. 16-17 at the Monument (formerly the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center) in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Several Easter lilies in purple pots lined up in a store

It’s Easter Lily Time!

There are several things to keep in mind when selecting an Easter lily plant to take home.

Holstein Dairy Calves lying in fresh straw, wearing calf blankets to help keep warm.

Managing Un-Weaned Dairy Calves During Cold Weather

Winter can present extra challenges for dairy producers and heifer growers as they try to keep calves alive and growing adequately in frigid temperatures.

cranberries being loaded by an auger

Cranberries: A colorful and nutritious fruit

Fall is a busy time for farmers in the northern Great Plains, harvesting thousands of acres of corn and soybeans. Not too far away, in central and northern Wisconsin the harvest was in full swing too, but the crop they are harvesting is a small fruit called the cranberry. Wisconsin is the leading state in cranberry production, growing 60% of all of the cranberries consumed in the United States.