Skip to main content

Search

Two female dairy workers in a milking parlor. USDA Photo by Aaron Lavelle

Challenges of Employee Turnover: Product quality and consistency

High employee turnover can lead to inconsistent animal production or potentially lower quality products, both meat and milk. How is this possible? Is it because cattle get accustomed to routines and the people who perform tasks in their home environment?

a herd of cattle laying on straw

Cattle Bedding and Food Safety

When most people think of farm animals, a picture of Old MacDonald’s Farm likely comes to mind with fluffy, bright yellow piles of straw in and around a barn. Cattlemen may look at bedding as just another chore along with feeding, watering, and doing health checks that promotes the well-being of the animals to grow and produce high quality food.

Rancher and veterinarian having a discussion near a cattle feed bunker.

Salt Toxicity: Water Deprivation

Salt toxicity is a result of either a high concentration of salt in a diet or water deprivation. Learn how to recognize its symptoms and work with your veterinarian to prevent it from impacting your animals.

Group of black cattle at a feed bunk.

Beef Cattle Budgets

What does it cost to maintain a cow for the year? This is a common question asked by producers across the nation.

close up of black cow and the words cattle HQ

Benefits of Early Pregnancy Detection

During this episode of Cattle HQ, experts discuss the impact that early pregnancy detection has on your herd.

close up of black cow and the words cattle HQ

Management Strategies for Cull Cows

In this episode of Cattle HQ, join Kiernan Brandt, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, and Olivia Amundson, former SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, as they talk about different management strategies for cull cows.

Herd of mixed cattle grazing in a vast, open range. Courtesy: U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management

Census of Agriculture Cattle Insights

The "2017 Census of Agriculture" is a valuable source for insights related to cattle operations at the state level. There were 13,928 operations across South Dakota with cattle in 2017, and the total inventory was 3,988,183 head.

black angus cow at pasture

Hot Weather Challenges Beef Cattle

Hot weather conditions create challenges for grazing beef cattle.

two men viewing a laptop on the hood of a white pickup

Beef Quality Assurance

South Dakota producers have the option to receive beef quality assurance (BQA) certification.

mostly black cattle stand around a dugout with water. the grass is green and the sky is blue

SDSU Extension offering livestock water testing across state

June 18, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is encouraging producers to take advantage of its free, on-site livestock water testing services across the state.