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SDSU Extension 4-H members compete at national FCS contest
February 20, 2025
The FCS skill-a-thon team won fifth place in the life skills assessment. The team members were Anna Johnson, Norman Johnson and Ada Sharp, of Brown County; and Mercedes Jones, of Buffalo/Jerauld counties. Their team coach is Aubrey Anderson, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator, Minnehaha County. Samantha Brenden, of Clark County, placed fourth in modeling and fifth overall for a constructed outfit in fashion revue.
Cattle Behavior
Working cattle is an essential part of management. However, it can be stressful for the livestock and humans involved. The more we learn and understand about cattle behavior, the less stress these handling events will cause.
2024 Master Pork Producers announced
February 28, 2025
The 2024 South Dakota Master Pork Producer winners were announced Jan. 15, 2025, during the 56th annual South Dakota Pork Congress in Sioux Falls. Recipients are Brian Mehlhaf, of Madison; Cristina Rocha, Iroquois; and Ross Mencke, Onida.
Decoding Bison Dietary Selection: More Than Just Grass
While bison are often thought of as quintessential grazers, their diet is surprisingly variable. However, they also snack on non-grass species throughout the year.
SDSU Extension welcomes new swine field specialist
March 11, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Kaylyn Rudy as the new SDSU Extension Swine Field Specialist.
SDSU Extension welcomes new swine specialist
March 11, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Rafe Royall as a new assistant professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist.
SDSU Extension hosting 2025 Swine Summit for youth
March 18, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to host the 2025 South Dakota Swine Summit on June 12, 2025, on the SDSU campus in Brookings.
2025 Rangeland and Soil Days for youth is June 10-11 in Belle Fourche
March 20, 2025
The 41st annual Rangeland and 20th annual Soil Days for youth is June 10-11, 2025, at the Belle Fourche Community Hall.
Pre-weaning Pneumonia in South Dakota Beef Herd: A Persistent Problem, Suddenly Gone
This case report describes a southeastern South Dakota cow-calf herd’s experiences with pre-weaning pneumonia. Unlike many beef herds that experience pneumonia in calves on pasture, this herd’s problems were consistent year after year: widespread calf illness was documented in each of 6 consecutive summers. Anecdotally at least, the occurrence of pre-weaning pneumonia in beef herds is more likely to be sporadic and unpredictable from year to year. This herd’s persistent problems were followed by a year in which, after a change in calf vaccination protocol (informed by herd diagnostics), very little pre-weaning pneumonia was observed.
Maintaining Cow Herds in Times of Limited Fall and Winter Moisture
Lack of moisture has been a common theme for a majority of beef cattle producers in the Northen Great Plains the last few years. These conditions cause beef producers to stretch grazing resources and feed inventory reserves.