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herd of beef cattle grazing in a pasture

Management of Body Condition Score throughout the Year

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a visual indicator of past energy status of cattle and a method that can be used to monitor nutritional status of the cow herd.

Cover crops emerging from a no-till field.

Soil Organic Matter Matters: How Conservation Practices Bring Value to Farmers

Conservation management practices, such as conservation tillage, cover crops, crop rotation and livestock integration, help improve soil health over time and offer producers numerous economic benefits.

A black angus bull standing in a hilly pasture.

Bull Nutrition

This publication focuses on nutrient requirements for developing bulls, feeding programs to “let down” overconditioned bulls, and feeding during the period between breeding seasons.

Small group of white sheep in a sheep shearing enclosure.

Economically Relevant Wool Traits and Wool Heritability

South Dakota is known for a high reputation wool clip. Emphasis on economically important wool traits coupled with careful genetic selection helps promote production, profitability and sustainability in an operation.

Variety of grasses growing in rangeland with some showing signs of drought stress.

Options for Spring Turnout

Every year at green-up, grass managers must make decisions about when and where to begin grazing. Several options are available depending on pasture resources, stored feed resources and the ability to be flexible.

Newborn black angus calf with mother cow.

Pay Attention to Calving Distribution

Multiple factors go into defining a calving season, but through simple record keeping, management decisions can be made to increase herd performance and profitability.

a person in a red and blue plaid shirt holding a laptop outdoors

Telemedicine Keeps Mixed-Animal Veterinarians Connected

March 31, 2021

Smart phones have helped South Dakota veterinarians assist clients through blizzards and busy calving seasons, but clinics may need to revisit service offerings, client expectations.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

X-Ray Scanning Confirms Soil Health Benefits from Conservation Practices

Summary report of X-ray scanning confirms soil health benefits from conservation practices.

Ruth Beck to Retire from SDSU Extension Agronomy Team

October 12, 2021

After 17 years providing education and service to South Dakota growers and agribusiness professionals, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist Ruth Beck has announced her retirement.

a woman and a man standing in front of an audience

SDSU Extension to Cover Dry Cow Therapy in Spanish at CPDE

March 18, 2021

SDSU Extension will once again offer educational programming in Spanish at the 2021 Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls.