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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.

Labeled cooler and vaccines ready for anyone who is loading syringes.

Keeping Your Vaccines Viable

Vaccines are a vital part of keeping all livestock healthy. Vaccines help in the prevention of disease, which results in less utilization of antibiotics due to fewer sick animals. A valid vet-client-patient relationship will help you as you select the vaccine of choice for your livestock health program.

Small group of bison grazing winter pasture.

Considerations for Winter Bison Management

Although many tools and techniques developed for cattle management have been adapted for bison, there are some stark differences between the two species that producers should consider when managing bison on winter range.

small grain hopper next to a shed

Facilities

It’s always nice to learn what others have done before investing in new facilities or updating existing facilities for your farm or ranch.

four students smile at the camera holding large manila envelopes next to the man who presented them with the scholarships

SD Master Pork Producers Association awards scholarships to 4 SDSU students

March 08, 2024

Four South Dakota State University students have received $1,000 scholarships from the South Dakota Master Pork Producers Association.

A statue of a dairy cow on a landscaped terrace in front of a long dairy barn.

Being Vigilant of Livestock Property Security and Surveillance

Livestock producers have many daily responsibilities when it comes to caring for and protecting their animals. One responsibility is to remain vigilant regarding individuals that oppose the use of animals for food or other purposes.

A man drilling a core sampler into the side of a hay bale.

Forage Sampling Procedures

Proper sampling of forage is essential if we want to obtain an accurate indication of the nutrient composition, dry matter content, or value of any feedstuff.

bare field in spring waiting to be planted

Planting Considerations for a Late Spring

Farm fields in some areas are unusually wet this year with many low areas under water. These conditions will make planting a challenge for farmers this year.

A person gives a presentation to a room of people

65 people attend 47th annual Ranchers Workshop

March 20, 2026

outh Dakota State University Extension was proud to help plan the 47th annual Ranchers Workshop in Mission, which drew 65 people from the region.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

Transitioning to Soil Health Systems in Eastern South Dakota Intended for beginners: Where do I start?

Fact sheet for beginners on where to start transitioning to soil health systems in eastern South Dakota.