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A farmer observing an unplanted field at sunset.

2020 Planting Decisions

Planting decisions for this spring are complicated given the recent spread of COVID-19. A very busy planting season is approaching quickly. Input suppliers and farmers will be met with a requirement to complete tasks timely to evade economic losses from delays.

Group of mixed, brown cattle being moved into a feed yard.

Culling Decisions Due to Drought

Learn some key considerations for developing culling strategies that align with the goals and objectives of your operation when facing potential prolonged drought conditions.

Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and respirators sitting on a table.

Information on How to Deal With COVID-19 for Dairy Workers

We would like to share some advice on measures to follow due to the problems that are affecting the world population today, including all of us.

A black angus cow walking through pasture being followed by two calves.

Lessons From Alternative Calving Workshops

Recently, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition and SDSU Extension held workshops across the State focused on sharing information from experienced livestock producers who have switched to a calving date more in sync with nature.

Man in wheelchair.

Home Is Where Your Life Is Stable

When a tragic accident put Nick Remund in a wheelchair at age 30, his family was tasked with building a new accessible home to accommodate his new life. Learn about the challenges and victories they had during their journey.

A healthy, growing soybean field. Farmyard in the background.

Soybean Growers Sought for On-Farm Research Program

We want you! SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council are seeking South Dakota Soybean Growers willing to participate in a farmer-led on-farm research program.

A group of dairy employees having a discussion around a barbecue grill.

Employee Turnover: It Is Important in Agriculture Also

Lots of conversations in agriculture lately focuses around labor or the lack of a labor pool of employees. This is the case not only for dairy farms, but also within the entire agriculture industry.

Several tiles connected by line segments representing a business network.

Networks, Hierarchies, and Power in the 21st Century

In this article, we look at how hierarchies and networks have influenced modern society. Then we examine how South Dakota innovators in the community development space have utilized these concepts in their work today.

a windmill in front of a sunset

Farming Strategies for the Future

There was a time in agriculture when greater yields always meant greater profitability. Today’s economic environment is characterized by high input costs and depressed commodity prices. Under this scenario when the optimum input/output relationship has been attained, more inputs do not necessarily result in greater returns on investment. Therefore, todays’ agriculture paradigm requires management that addresses production “optimization”. This is the point where a previously known level of inputs maximizes outputs before incurring into greater investments that result into diminishing returns.

Silhouettes of a small group of cattle against a sunset.

Economic Impact of the Beef Industry on South Dakota

The beef industry in South Dakota makes a significant contribution to economic output and development in the state. As of January 1st, 2012 there were 1,610,000 beef cows in South Dakota. These cows produced 1,710,000 calves during the year and the industry produced an estimated $2,283,766,027 in gross income during 2012 (South Dakota Agriculture 2013).