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Red angus cattle gathered in a feedlot in winter.

Livestock

South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.

herd of beef cattle grazing in a pasture

Beef

Home to more than 1 million head of cattle, South Dakota’s producers can rely on SDSU Extension for research-based information, best management practices and resources to support healthy and profitable herds.

Prairie pasque flowers blooming in early spring.

Tribal Land Transfer or Individual Ownership of Reservation Land

There are two major types of Native American land. Trust land is held by the federal government, but the beneficial interest remains with the individual or tribe. Fee land is purchased by tribes, the tribe acquires legal title under specific statutory authority. To ensure the passing of your property to those whom you wish, learn how your land is held.

Two young woman inspecting plants growing on a vast, open range.

SDSU Extension to Host Women on the Range Mini Winter Workshop

December 29, 2021

Women in agriculture across South Dakota are invited to attend a Women on the Range Mini Winter Workshop in Fort Pierre and Pierre, South Dakota, on Jan. 14, 2022. Participants will learn about the importance of soil health and how to integrate it into their grazing management systems, as well as available winter feeding methods that also create ecosystem benefits.

Female FSA employee reviewing paperwork with a male producer.

Counties Designated as Disaster Areas and Qualify for Other Programs

Five South Dakota counties have been given disaster declarations due to dry summer conditions. This declaration gives producers in these counties and those in contiguous counties access to USDA-FSA emergency loans.

South Dakota State University to Host 30th Annual Lamb Bonanza

December 29, 2021

The SDSU Department of Animal Science, alongside the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association and the SDSU Athletics Department, will be hosting the 30th Annual SDSU Lamb Bonanza at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022. The event will be held in conjunction with the SDSU men’s basketball game against the University of Denver at Frost Arena on the SDSU campus.

Female rancher standing in front of a cowherd.

The Power of Women as AgVocates Rescheduled to March 4 and 5

February 08, 2022

The Power of Women as AgVocates Conference has been rescheduled for March 4-5, 2022 in Fort Pierre, South Dakota at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center and the Missouri Avenue Event Center in Pierre.

Participants inspecting a rangeland area during the South Dakota Rangeland Days event.

38th Annual Rangeland and 17th Annual Soils Days Set for June 14 and 15 in Murdo

March 28, 2022

Rangeland and Soils Days offer a unique opportunity for youth and adults alike to learn more about South Dakota’s natural resources.

Several black beef cattle close together feeding.

Tuberculosis in Cattle: What You Need to Know

Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic and slowly progressive disease of cattle that emerges periodically in the U.S. Cases of bovine tuberculosis are usually diagnosed on the basis of tell-tale abnormalities found on slaughter inspection.

A slatted floor with an open area. A hose is running into the open area.

New Technology for an Old Problem

One of the last projects I was involved with as coordinator for the Lower James River Watershed Project was the installation of a deep pit monoslope barn for a feedlot operation near Alexandria, SD. A deep pit confinement barn is a manure storage system that employs slatted flooring with pit manure storage underneath.