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Rural Communities: Addressing Declining Population by Developing Entrepreneurial Communities
As the population decreases, schools close. Businesses close. Services become less and less. Research shows that people want to live in rural areas but don’t believe the opportunities are there. If communities develop a system to connect people to opportunities, rural communities can stabilize their population, keep their schools, businesses and services, and maybe even increase them.
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.
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.
Watertown entrepreneur wins SDSU Extension business plan contest
March 24, 2025
A Watertown woman won a South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality business plan contest with her compelling plan for a cancer support group.
Bangs Vaccine and Talking to Your Veterinarian
As spring arrives, many cattlemen have selected their replacement heifers for breeding and should be considering pre-breeding and brucellosis vaccination in their replacement females as soon as possible to set them up for a successful breeding season.
Conserving Soil Moisture During Dry Conditions
Dry conditions can create difficulties for agricultural producers. Using soil health principles can improve the resilience of agricultural systems to dry conditions.
Increasing Adaptability With Alternative Grazing Strategies
The greatest sum in most cattle budgets is simply keeping cows fed. Whether grazing cropland or grassland, there are countless opportunities to improve your operation's bottom line through alternative grazing strategies.
Why Third Places Are Vital to Rural Communities
From community centers to small businesses, third places are social spaces outside of one’s home that support connection, economic growth, and civic engagement in rural communities.
Leadership for Today Manageable Meetings
At one time or another, we have all answered the call to civic duty by serving on a committee or advisory board. For some, the experience has been productive and energizing. For others, the experience has been painful, marked by long meetings that are unorganized and frustrating.