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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.
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.
Hot Weather Challenges Beef Cattle
Hot weather conditions create challenges for grazing beef cattle.
Beef Quality Assurance
South Dakota producers have the option to receive beef quality assurance (BQA) certification.
Livestock Risk Protection for Cattle
Price rallies, general price volatility and concern that prices may move lower could lead producers to insure livestock prices. Livestock Risk Protection is an insurance program that covers the single-peril or risk of lower prices on fed cattle and feeder cattle.
Cattle Behavior
Working cattle is an essential part of management. However, it can be stressful for the livestock and humans involved. The more we learn and understand about cattle behavior, the less stress these handling events will cause.
Water Usage Increased by Dietary Phytase Incorporation in Growing and Finishing Swine
Total water usage is an important consideration in sustainable pork production. Recent research at the SDSU investigated water usage of growing and finishing pigs fed diets without or with phytase included in the diet.
A Disaster-Ready Strategy for Cattle Operations
Cattle producers can minimize risk and maximize resilience. Having a written emergency action plan and routine exercise of the plan helps ensure animal welfare and business continuity.
Freeze Branding Cattle
Freeze branding is a low-stress way to add permanent identification to cattle that will elicit minimal hide damage.
Healthy Guts Make Healthy Cattle
Feed additives, including probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, can be incorporated in beef cattle diets to help improve animal health, increase performance, and reduce antibiotic use.