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a brown bug with wings on a wood stick with a black background

Wheat Stem Sawfly Parasitoid: Bracon lissogaster

Factsheet on indentification and lifecycle of Wheat Stem Sawfly Parasitoid.

Sunny sky over pasture at the Cottonwood Mesonet station.

SDSU Extension provides education, training for range management

July 16, 2026

As ranchers and cattlemen in the region face drought-related grazing pressures, South Dakota State University Extension and its partners have a bevy of opportunities to help them manage this year and begin planning for 2027.

Red angus cattle gathered in a feedlot in winter.

Livestock

South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.

herd of beef cattle grazing in a pasture

Beef

Home to more than 1 million head of cattle, South Dakota’s producers can rely on SDSU Extension for research-based information, best management practices and resources to support healthy and profitable herds.

group of young piglets

Swine

Providing pork producers with the research-based information and resources they need to keep South Dakota swine herds healthy and profitable is a focus of our team. 

Producers reviewing paperwork in a farm office.

Ag Business

Modern agriculture requires savvy financial planning and strategy.

Glass of water sitting on a hardwood table.

Hydration Hacks for Hot Days

Hot days are packed with fun activities like going to the park, playing games in the backyard, and attending outdoor events. While getting outside and staying active is great for your health, it’s easy to overlook one important habit: staying hydrated.

Producer inspecting a hay bale at the Cottonwood Research Station.

Developing Replacement Heifers During Drought Conditions and High Hay Prices

High-priced hay does not necessarily mean replacement heifers cannot be developed cost-effectively. Alternative feed resources and strategic feeding programs can help producers meet growth targets while stretching limited forage supplies.

a cream colored moth with a brown band around the middle of the body on a green leaf

Banded Sunflower Moth

Factsheet on the identification, lifecycle, scouting and economic impact of the Banded Sunflower Moth.

Dried creek bed running through summer pasture.

Hauling Water to Cows: When water is not everywhere

When drought hits, water failing to fall from the sky is not the only place water is missing. Dugouts, ponds, and creeks also dry up quickly, and the need to haul water may exist to keep cattle grazing.