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Preg-Checking Decisions
There is much value in preg-checking spring-calving cow herds in the fall. The most common is to cull open cows from the herd. The second reason would be to reduce the number of late calving cows in the herd.
Skid-Steer Safety: Are You and Your Employees Practicing It?
One piece of machinery used daily on many farms, especially dairies and acreages, is a skid-steer. Owners and employees need to be aware of the correct operating procedures for this equipment and make sure that all who are operating the skid-steer have had adequate training in its operation.
Garden Food Safety
Every so often we hear about people getting sick from eating raw produce that got contaminated somewhere on its path from the field to the consumer. Commercial growers are taking great care to keep your food safe, and there are new national rules to guide them. Following are some tips for home gardeners to help keep their fruits and vegetables safe.
It’s Showtime, Get Your Show Box Ready!
It’s time to head off to the show, but before you can go everything needs to be loaded into the truck and trailer. You get a supply of feed and hay, load some bedding, put in a fan, add the trimming stand and now it’s time for the show box.
SDSU Extension, SD Humanities Scholar to host obituary writing workshop
June 25, 2024
The next obituary writing workshop is on April 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT/ noon to 2 p.m. CDT online via Zoom. It is free to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit extension.sdstate.edu/events and search “heirlooms”.
Finding Females for the Cowherd
The type and kind of females chosen for your cowherd is an important decision that can have long-term implications and great impact on the economic viability of the operation.
Harvesting Silage on a Wet Year: Moisture is Critical
Fall is on its way in South Dakota. However, with many flooded and saturated fields, some producers are growing concerned that there will be little opportunity to harvest silage before corn dries down past desired moisture levels or frost occurs.
Calving in Dairy Cows: Step by Step
Calving is a critical time in the lifecycle of dairy cows and calves. Learn about the key stages of calving to help ensure healthy, high-performing cows and calves.
Cover Crop Adoption: Farmers’ perceived benefits & barriers
Cover crops are generally defined as crops planted between cash crops to cover and protect the soil. Some demonstrated benefits of cover crops include: reduced soil erosion, increased soil organic matter, increased biological variety, increased nitrogen supply, and weed control. Depending on the farmers’ objectives, different species of cover crops can be planted. For example, if a farmer’s main objective is to increase nitrogen supply, then legume cover crops best suited to the farm area should be selected.
The Effects of Ewe Nutrition on Lamb Performance
In the livestock industry, profitability is determined by the efficiency of production; with growth and development of offspring having a large impact. In sheep production, ewe nutrition is one of the biggest factors in fetal growth, milk production, and lamb performance; therefore, determining how profitable a production system will be. Not only does the ewe depend on proper nutrition for fetal development but also udder development and milk production.