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A male producer observing cattle in a feedlot.

Animal Nutrition Program’s Feed Management Committee: Feed to Gain Calculator - Fat Inclusion

Adding fat to cattle diets is a common strategy to increase dietary energy density. Learn how to make informed feed decisions using a feed-to-gain breakeven calculator developed by the National Animal Nutrition Program Feed Management Committee.

A livestock producer stands beside a concrete feed bunk at sunset, holding a tablet and reviewing feeding data. Several beef cattle with ear tags are eating a mixed ration from the trough. In the background, a feedlot mixer truck with a visible mixing tank and discharge auger delivers feed into the bunk, creating light feed dust in the air. The image represents modern feed management combining animal care and digital decision-making in a commercial feedlot.

Feed Management in a High-Data Livestock Industry

Livestock feeding systems are generating more data than ever before. In modern feed management, success depends less on how much data is collected and more on how effectively that data is translated into biologically sound decisions.

South Dakota State University on-site wean-to-finish barn.

Swine Manure and Nitrate Leaching

This fact sheet explains how nitrate leaching occurs, why swine manure increases risk under certain conditions, and what producers can do to keep nitrogen where crops can use it.

South Dakota State University on-site wean-to-finish barn.

Using Swine Manure Phosphorus More Efficienlty in South Dakota Cropping Systems

This fact sheet explains how feeding strategies, especially the use of low-phytate corn and related diet adjustments, can reduce phosphorus excretion in swine manure.

South Dakota State University on-site wean-to-finish barn.

Heavy Metals in Swine Manure

This fact sheet explains what heavy metals are, how they enter swine manure, how they behave in soil, and what practical steps producers can take to reduce long-term risks.

Row of black cattle lined up at a feed bunk.

Live Cattle Basis

Futures prices are from organized trades that provide price information for buyers and sellers of commodities. Local cash prices can be compared to futures prices using a basis measure. With an expected basis measure, producers can observe futures prices and infer cash prices.

Black beef cattle at a feedbunk at an SDSU research facility.

Feeder Cattle Basis

Feeder cattle basis levels observed during 2025 specific to South Dakota locations were higher than expected throughout 2025 and sharply higher in November and December, perhaps reflecting a tight supply of feeder cattle nationally.

Cattle grazing a high-diversity, native pasture.

Connecting Nutrition and Conservation: The Importance of CPS 592

Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) 592 is a practical feed management framework that helps producers move toward greater profitability, accountability, and sustainability without sacrificing performance.

Several chickens in chicken coup. Some are resting lethargically.

Importance of Chicken Infectious Bronchitis Virus: Q&A

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a coronavirus that infects chicken flocks, causing respiratory disease. Some IBV isolates can result in a kidney disease (nephritis). Drop of egg production in laying hens is an important sign for IBV infection.

South Dakota State University on-site wean-to-finish barn.
Jul 01

SowBridge Webinar: Water quality, biofilms, and water line management

Join swine industry experts from around the nation for a webinar about strategies for water line management to improve water quality on July 1 beginning at 11:15 a.m. CDT.