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A dirt road leading to a winder energy station in the middle of a grassland area.

Understanding Contract Language and Restoring Native Grassland Damage after Energy Development

Energy development on private lands can result in locally heavy land manipulation. Of particular concern is the manipulation of native grasslands and other sensitive areas and how it will affect those areas in the short-and-long-term.

Lush, riparian vegetation growing alongside a stream running through rangeland.

Ranching and Prairie Streams: Riparian Vegetation

Riparian vegetation consists of the collection of plants that thrive along streams, riverbanks, and wetlands. Learn about the many ecological benefits this vegetation provides.

Cattle feeding in a feed bunk.

Don’t Let Dry Conditions Take a Toll on Breeding Success

If you feel pastures are not going to provide adequate nutrients to prepare cows for breeding, here are some management strategies that can be done to potentially stimulate estrus, maintain good pregnancy rates, and save some feed resources too.

Two farm cats in the snow near a farm structure.

Cat Death Losses Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in South Dakota

Veterinarians and laboratory diagnosticians are fielding reports of death losses in cat populations linked to avian influenza infections.

A field of yellow sweet clover in bloom.

Yellow Sweet Clover: Information and Management

Sweet clover is an opportunistic plant that is going to be abundant in pastures and hay fields when growing conditions are favorable, ideally for two consecutive years. Although it can cause problems, it is valuable to wildlife and pollinators and is a nutritious forage source.

A grass forage blend grows in a central SD field as Red cattle graze.

Delayed Planting Challenges: Alternative Forages

With the excessively wet planting conditions much of South Dakota is now experiencing, many producers are looking for “Plan B” to meet forage needs for their livestock, or as a commodity that can be marketed to livestock producers.

Two hog barns among rolling green fields in the countryside.

What Is Green About Pig Farming in South Dakota?

From reducing energy waste to state-of-the-art facility designs, learn some of the many ways South Dakota hog producers are working together to reduce their impact on the environment.

A rancher sitting at a laptop near a cattle pen.

Opportunities for Open Cows

It’s that time of year when driving along the countryside or sitting in the sale barn cows start to show up with an “O” drawn on her side as the Veterinarian called her open on pregnancy check day.

Cattle at a concrete feed bunk at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm.

Case Study: Effect of Adding More Concrete to Open Pens

Mud caused by excessive precipitation dramatically reduces cattle performance. Pouring additional concrete and working on improving pen surfaces are approaches that can improve poor-weather performance in an open yard.

Vast, well-managed rangeland property with a healthy variety or resources.

Why Grassland Management?

Grassland management involves more than simply moving livestock from one pasture to the next. Successful grassland managers are educated in grassland health and strive to improve their personal understanding of key grassland components.