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Group of mixed beef heifers in spring pasture.

Synchronization for Natural-Service Breeding Programs

Similar to synchronization with artificial insemination, the benefits associated with natural-service synchronization are similar: a concise calving distribution with the potential for heifers to be serviced twice in about 30 days versus twice in 40 days.

13 participate in first SDSU Extension Precision Livestock Field School

November 01, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension hosted its first Precision Livestock Field School from July 31 to Aug. 2, 2023, at the Cottonwood Field Station near Philip, South Dakota.

The University of Nebraska Lincoln Haskell Lab is pictured, a brown brick building in the foreground with fields and farm buildings in the background

SDSU Extension, UNL Extension offering heifer development program

October 26, 2023

Producers can apply this fall to enroll heifers at the Great Plains Heifer Development Center at the UNL Haskell Beef Lab near Concord, Nebraska. Nebraska and South Dakota producers will receive priority, but producers from bordering states will be accepted if space is available.

Sydney Vanderhoff stands in front of a building. Her long hair is down and she is wearing a black polo and blue jeans

SDSU Extension welcomes new Beef Nutrition Field Specialist to Mitchell office

September 08, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Sydney Vanderhoff as a new Beef Nutrition Field Specialist.

Two Saxon Merino rams grazing pasture.

Boosting Ram Nutrition for Optimal Breeding Success

Around breeding time, nutritional considerations tend to lean towards the ewes, but what about rams?

Fall pasture with cool-season grass greening up throughout.

Fall Grazing: A Cautionary Tale

It is very tempting to graze new, green cool-season grasses when pastures are dry most of the summer. However, caution should be taken to not overgraze this green-up.

A group of weaned calves

SDSU Extension Calf Value Discovery program registration open

September 21, 2023

Cow/calf producers can gain valuable information to improve their operations by participating in the South Dakota State University Extension’s Calf Value Discovery program, which is now accepting entries for 2023-2024.

A closeup of a sheep's face. The sheep looks to be in pain.

Sore Mouth: A “Pox” Virus for Sheep

Just like in children or adults who contract the dreaded chicken pox, sheep and goats can catch their own similar “pox” virus called Sore Mouth, technically known as Contagious Ecthyma. This health problem is most recognizable by red blisters or thick brown scabs on the skin around the lips or muzzle area.

Two producers observing an in-field cattle watering unit.

Water Monitoring Systems for Livestock

Depending on animal locations, checking water tanks can require hours of labor and significant fuel costs for remote pastures. Water monitoring systems offer producers a convenient way to check the status of the water sources remotely.

Mixed cattle grazing corn stalks.

Corn Stalk Rental Rates

Corn stalk acres have long been a source of feed for livestock producers. But how much should producers charge to graze them, and what factors should they consider when developing a rental agreement?