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Financial Measures for South Dakota Farms

Farm and ranch businesses have a sizeable investment in equipment, buildings, land, and livestock. These investments require their owners and managers to remain knowledgeable about the financial condition of their business. The information to calculate measures of financial performance can be found in their farm record books or accounting system.

Vast, sprawling cornfield.

Large Farms Continue to Dominate South Dakota Crop Production

Based on the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture, large-scale farms operate more than two-thirds of the total cropland acres in South Dakota. Learn some expert insights about the trends driving this development.

Owners of a specialty crop farm smiling at each other in a small on-farm market as a customer shops in the background.

Resources to Stay Safe on Specialty Crop Farms

When was the last time you’ve thought about safety on your farm? View a collection of science-based safety resources for small and medium-scale commercial specialty crop farms from the field to the market.

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SD youth present at National High School Youth Forum in California

March 23, 2026

Two high school students from South Dakota were selected to be delegates for the High School Youth Forum at the International Society for Range Management meeting.

Young girl eating yogurt at a kitchen table.

Fuel for School With Breakfast

Research supports a link between eating breakfast and positive cognitive and academic performance. Learn some tips to help remove breakfast barriers from your morning routine!

A small group of dairy cattle resting in a pen.

I Got a FARM Corrective Action. Now What?

The Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Animal Care Version 4 rolled out January 2020. As dairies have their farms evaluated with this new version, there may be questions about corrective actions.

Sunrise over South Dakota farmland.

Variances in Working Capital to Gross Farm Revenues

Learn some of the key differences in working capital to gross revenue among farm types, level of gross sales and by net income.

Two producers reviewing financial paperwork in a farm office.

Farm’s Target for Working Capital

Working capital provides a first line of defense for financial stress and an opportunity to take advantage of bargains that may arise. Learn how to calculate it and determine strategic targets for your operation.

Sunrise over Lincoln, Nebraska skyline.

SDSU Extension Field Specialist Encourages Proactive Farm Transition Management

May 05, 2022

SDSU Extension and the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) will host the 2022 IFTN Annual Conference, a professional development opportunity for estate planning and farm transition professionals, in Lincoln, Neb. June 8-9.

Aerial view of the SDSU Southeast Research Farm.
Jan 06 - 07

Southeast Research Farm Seminars @ Dakota Farm Show

Join SDSU Extension for a series of educational presentations during the Dakota Farm Show from January 6-7, 2026, at the USD DakotaDome (1101 N Dakota St, Vermillion, SD 57069).