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An dairy farmer and site inspector talking near a fence outside a dairy dairy barn.

Preparing for FARM Animal Care Evaluations

The FARM Animal Care Version 4.0 rolled out January 2020. This article is a condensed tool to aid you in preparing for your next evaluation.

A lush green bush with bright pink flowers.

Peony: A Great Option for Early Blooms in South Dakota

Peonies are an early-summer blooming plant that thrives in South Dakota. Learn how to select, plant and care for peonies in your landscape this gardening season!

Diagram of an artificial insemination semen tank. For assistance reading this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Proper Semen Handling Techniques

Proper semen handling is crucial for the overall reproductive success of an operation utilizing artificial insemination. Learn some expert tips for equipment selection, product storage and semen handling.

Herd of mixed cattle grazing a fenced-in winter pasture.

Alternative Management Strategies for Culled Cows

Traditionally, keeping open females is not a popular option. However, variability in cull cow prices and feed costs may provide an opportunity to consider other options.

Herd of black angus cattle feeding in a feedlot.

Cull Cow Management and Marketing Opportunities

No matter the reason for culling, it is important to evaluate the opportunity to add value to cull cows at marketing, as they make up a significant portion of annual ranch income.

Hand holding herbicide sprayer over vegetable garden.

Organic Herbicides: Garden and Flower Bed Weed Control

Many South Dakota homeowners do not want to use inorganic or synthetic herbicides due to potential health impacts. Organic herbicides can be a useful tool for weed control when combined with other management practices.

A white egg carton against a black background. The carton has read text reading, "Best Before" along with a red seal reading "USDA 'A' Grade".

Selling and Distributing Eggs in South Dakota

If planning to sell eggs in the state of South Dakota, an egg dealer license must be obtained annually. The application for this license can be found and printed from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Form Finder website.

Fence line along a broad, open pasture.

Lameness in Cattle: Causes Associated With Injury

Most cattle in pastures and feedlots are exposed to multiple potential causes of injury. Learn some of the injury-related causes of lameness in cattle, starting with the foot and working our way up.

apples and bananas sitting on a plate next to a set of blue hand weights and a body measuring tape

Rev It Up!

A nutrition and physical activity curriculum for high schoolers.

a graphic image of South Dakota with multiple colors

Grain Merchant and Processor Consolidation, Concentration, and Competition

A general trend in the last century has been for greater consolidation among Grain Merchants and Oilseed Millers and Processors. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks the number of firms and/or establishments and value of sales (market size) by industry sector every 5 years as a part of the Economic Census. In addition to the number of firms and sales, the Census Bureau publishes concentration ratios for each sector. One concentration ratio they publish is the amount of sales attributed to the four largest firms in that sector. The percentage of sales of the 4 largest firms is a measure that aids in identifying the type of market structure that exists.