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Large herd of black angus cattle eating from a feedbunk.

Ruminants: A Digestive Powerhouse

Ruminants such as cattle are important animals, as they turn forage into high-quality protein, such as meat and milk. It is important to understand their digestive system so we can better support their unique role in our food chain.

A cow at the Cottonwood Field Station with her head in the green colored chamber of the GreenFeeder

Range Roundup: Precision Technology to Measure Cattle Methane Emissions and Intake on Western S.D. Rangelands

In a recent research project, our precision livestock team deployed technology to measure individual cattle methane emissions and feed intake by disappearance. Learn how this data can be used to help improve day-to-day management decisions on the ranch.

A field of green winter wheat.

Planning for Quality in Wheat

Excess moisture and limited field days have made it difficult for producers to add nitrogen to wheat fields this year. This could be a concern, as nitrogen contributes to both yield and protein. This year, it may pay off to take tissue and soil tests from questionable wheat fields to help with nitrogen application decisions.

Pile of chopped silage in front of a tractor.

Does Kernel Processing Silage Pay for Growing and Finishing Beef Cattle?

Kernel processing involves passing harvested silage through a set of rollers mounted on the chopper. But does this extra step result in improved efficiency and reduced costs of gain?

Urea supplement in a feed scoop.

Considerations of Urea Use in Cattle Rations

In beef cattle nutrition, it is important to understand how protein is used along with the various protein sources available for diets. Urea is an example of a non-protein nitrogen source that can be used in diets in certain situations.

Hay with a brown, carmelized color.

Minimizing Hay Storage Loss From Heating or Fires

Successful hay storage is essential to preserving high quality forage, while ensuring desired performance from livestock and deterring economic losses from unwanted hay storage fires.

close up of black cow and the words cattle HQ

Estate and Transition Planning

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 with Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialists about the importance of preparing an estate or transition plan.

Black cattle heads poke out of a fence into a cement feeding trough filled with hay

SDSU Extension helping cattle producers grow bigger, better beef

May 28, 2025

Warren Rusche would contend that some of the best cattle in North America are born in South Dakota. That gives Rusche and the rest of the applied feedlot research group at SDSU a unique opportunity, and they are making the most of it.

close up of black cow and the words cattle HQ

Opportunities and Considerations when Grazing Cover Crops

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Olivia Amundson and Robin Salverson, caught up with Dan Forgey with Cronin Farms near Gettysburg, SD.

Keeping Cattle and Grass in Balance

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with her colleagues from South Dakota State University Kaylee Wheeler, an Extension Range Field Specialist, and Dr. Krista Ehlert, an Assistant Professor and Extension Range Specialist.