Skip to main content

Search

A male with three female farm administrators reviewing a binder of financial records. Courtesy: USDA

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Balance Sheet Valuations

The financial crash of the 1980’s has been attributed to changes in producer’s balance sheets, due to a decline in land prices. After this time, a two-column balance sheet was developed to help prevent that type of balance sheet collapse from occurring in the future.

A pen and calculator sitting next to an accounting binder.

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Consistency of Financial Records

Consistent record keeping will allow for accurate ratios and trend analysis. While operations will change, grow, or contract, having a standard operating procedure will allow for analysis and decision-making.

Pair of hands at a desk during a health consultation.

Income-Based Health Insurance Options

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive health care reform law enacted in 2010 to make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law provides consumers with subsidies, otherwise known as premium tax credits, which lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.

Doctor at laptop with insurance paperwork.

Health Insurance Benefits: Don’t Let Them Go to Waste

As the end of the calendar year approaches, does your health insurance calendar year also end? Health insurance often provides free preventive care checkups or funds for flexible savings accounts (FSA) or health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Color-coded map of South Dakota and other Midwestern states. Colors indicate a higher risk of unplanted areas in Eastern and Northeastern South Dakota.

Stretching Corn Silage Supplies

During the 2002 drought there was a need to stretch corn silage supplies as a result of the drought that affected the U.S. Now we deal with the opposite scenario, where excessive spring rains have not allowed farmers to get to the fields. In both situations livestock producers face challenges.

Three sets of rumen papillae photos. The first is labeled C and has several clusters of large, round, papillae. The second is DG1 and has several clusters of small to medium, round, papillae. The last is DG2 and has several clusters of small to medium, round, papillae.

Distillers’ Grains and Rumen Papillae Growth

Distillers grains are without a doubt one of the most versatile ruminant feedstuffs. Aside from their high concentration of sought-after nutrients (i.e. protein, energy, phosphorus), their impact on the digestibility of other feeds is minimal. In fact, by not interfering with the digestion particularly of structural carbohydrates, they allow for more energy to be obtained from forages.

Woman navigating Health Insurance Marketplace on laptop.

What You Need To Know To Enroll in Health Insurance Through the Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace allows consumers to complete a streamlined application to determine qualification for coverage under different health care plans. Learn some tips for getting started during the open enrollment period of November 1 through January 15.

Heat-stressed cow in feedlot.

Heat Stress Forecasting Apps Available

Early summer heat stress in feedlot cattle is often triggered by rapid changes in temperature and humidity before cattle become acclimated to warmer conditions. Learn about some management tools that you can use to protect your herd.

A herd of cattle gather around a stock pond on a vast, lush grassland. Courtesy: USDA [CC BY 2.0]

2017 Weed Control: Pasture and Range

There are 24 million acres of native and tame pasture and range as well as 1.4 million acres of grass hayland in South Dakota.

A color-coded map of the United States indicating precipitation outlook for June 2019.

June 2019 Climate Outlook for South Dakota

As South Dakota emerges from the wettest 12-month period in 124 years of climate recordkeeping (June 2018-May 2019), June has started warmer and drier than average. The outlook, however, turns towards cooler and wetter than average again for the middle of the month.