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Love is in the air, but don’t kiss your pigs!
While Valentine’s Day is celebrated during the month of February, physical affection should be reserved for human companions and not your pigs! Learn some important safety considerations to help prevent zoonotic diseases when handling swine.
Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Locoweed and Crazyweed
Locoweed and crazyweed are found throughout South Dakota rangelands, and both can cause livestock poisoning.The names locoweed and crazyweed are often used interchangeably. However, there are notable differences between the species.
Sheep Water Requirements and Quality Testing
Water intake is critical for ensuring flock health, performance and heat stress mitigation. Learn some key considerations for water quality and intake requirements.
Rotational Grazing During Winter
Winter feed represents one of the largest costs for a livestock production enterprise. Grazing pasture that has been stockpiled for winter use is a rational alternative to limit costs resulting from both harvest and feeding of hay.
Investigating the “Complex” in Porcine Respiratory Disease
The term “porcine respiratory disease complex” reflects the multi-factorial nature of respiratory disease. Advances in diagnostic testing and research are shedding new light on the microbial pathogens involved in respiratory disease.
Selecting a Calving Season Based on Matching Nutritional Needs and Resources
Choosing the calving season is a complex and highly individual decision for each beef cattle producer. A primary consideration in pasture-based cow-calf operations is choosing a calving season that will best match the forage supply to forage demand.
Valuing Drought-Stressed Corn Silage
Salvaging failed crops as silage for livestock can be a “win-win” for both crop growers and livestock owners. Learn how you can use data to improve the odds of finding a value that is fair to both parties.
Farm Size and Efficiency
Growth is a common denominator of various business objectives. A business may want to grow profits, sales, market share, etc. The growth of a business itself usually refers to growth in equity, or growth in assets after debts have been paid. Farms, from a business perspective, are no exception. Farmers seeking to grow equity need to be willing and able to retain earnings and cannot be overleveraged.
Capitalizing on Cow Costs
Feeding cows is one area of consideration when analyzing the cost of keeping a cow through her production year. Through small management choices, we can decrease the cost of the cow while maximizing on opportunities.
Livestock Stress Tool
Weather conditions in the Northern Plains can present more than a few challenges for livestock producers. From below zero or blizzard conditions during winter or even spring, to heat waves in the summer months, farmers and ranchers need to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions to provide the best care for their livestock and minimize their risks of losses.