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A group of cattle grazing on crop residue.

Farm Practices That Improve Soil Health: Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems

An integrated crop-livestock system can provide an alternative management strategy that benefits producer’s income, soil health, and the environment—all while increasing production.

An aerial view of the town of Mobridge with the Missouri River in the background.

A Strategic Community-Based Survey of Water Resource Management in South Dakota

Understanding how residents value water is critical for effective resource management, and your insights can help us better understand community values and inform future strategies for sustainable water management across the state.

Small herd of mixed cattle grazing rangeland in late fall.

Producer Views on Patch Burn Grazing vs. Winter Patch Grazing in S.D.

Traditional rangeland management promotes uniform forage utilization, yet causes detrimental effects on the richness of plant species and wildlife habitat. Therefore, management practices that increase heterogeneity in vegetation play an important role in developing habitat types and preserving grassland wildlife species.

An orange plastic hoop placed around a portion of tall grass on a range to provide a measurement.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure: Range Record Keeping

Range record keeping helps detect and demonstrate landscape changes that have a direct impact on your ability to maintain or grow your herd.

Herd of bison behind a fencline in a pasture.

Getting Started With Bison Ranching

While bison ranching has some similarities with cattle ranching, there are significant differences that must be accounted for to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability.

Backpack with emergency supplies on a living room table.

Flood Preparedness

Floods can develop slowly or strike suddenly without warning. Learn some essential steps to help protect you and your loved ones before, during, and after a flood.

Group of producers observing beef cattle in a pasture.

Setting Stocking Rates With Flexibility in Mind: A decision framework for uncertain years

Setting stocking rates during years when moisture is unpredictable does not require perfect information. It requires a framework that protects both your land and your options.

Cattle grazing a high-diversity, native pasture.

Grassland Fertilization: Native Grass Planting Case Study - Codington County

Management goals of planted grasslands are an important driver in the consideration of whether fertilizer applications will be beneficial or harmful. Here, we will discuss various plant communities and the impact of fertilization on each.

Well Completion Reports (WCR) site with interactive map and search engine

Finding Private Well Completion Reports

For those South Dakota residents that may have an interest in finding information on their private well if they have none, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources has a database on their website where original Well Completion Reports can be found.

Recent Changes in Above-Ground Pasture Pipe Requires Matching Pipe and Fittings Correctly

Above-ground water systems have become a very popular tool to deliver clean water from reliable sources to pastures across South Dakota. Many of us assumed some of the new fittings from different manufacturers are universal, but it turns out they are not!