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Three producers discussing a management plan in a pasture.

Five Range Management Principles: #2 Creating a Grazing Plan

Creating a grazing management plan can be overwhelming. Learn the basic steps for outlining a plan, along with several resources to help identify the right strategy for your operation.

Wheat field with poor stand emergence.

Assessing Winter Wheat Stands

After long, tough winters, producers often have concerns about winter wheat stands. Learn some tips for assessing plant stands and deciding what to do with your wheat plantings this spring.

A small herd of cattle grazing a hilly pasture in early fall.

Barriers To Rotational Grazing: Perceptions From Ranchers in the Dakotas

Despite the potential benefits of rotational grazing, its adoption rate has stagnated in recent years. To help understand major barriers faced by producers towards rotational grazing, we conducted a survey among ranchers in the U.S. Great Plains.

Young corn emerging in a no-till field.

Corn Planting Populations: A Deeper Dive

Corn is grown all across South Dakota, and the optimal target population varies depending on location. In a nutshell, there is a lot more to seeding population selection than what meets the eye.

Close-up of the heads of curious Red Angus cattle during feeding time in an outdoor pen - dust from the hay and outdoor enclosure swirl in the air around their heads.

2021 Beef Cow Synchronization Protocols

The Beef Reproduction Task Force has developed recommended synchronization protocols for producers that will provide optimal pregnancy rates based on research and field use for both conventional and sexed (gender-selected) semen.

Producer observing a group of cattle in a holding pen.

Receiving Management Matters

There are multiple factors that influence cattle help during transportation and receiving. Proper management during these events can avoid negative implications to health and performance.

a first aid kit with various medical supplies

4-H First Aid & Health Project

First aid is the immediate care given to an injured or suddenly ill person and every person should be trained in how to administer first aid. First aid does not take the place of getting proper medical treatment by a qualified and licensed practitioner but knowing first aid and how to properly apply is important.

Outside of a veterinary clinic.

Veterinary Feed Directive: What You Can’t Do With a VFD

Livestock producers and veterinarians have been adjusting to the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rules put into effect on January 1, 2017. With the onset of the rules, producers need to square their previous treatment methods with what a VFD can and can’t do.

A series of three creep feeders placed on an open range. Courtesy: Robin Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Creep Feeding Options: Will it Pay?

Creep-feeding should be evaluated on yearly basis to determine if it will provide production and economic benefits to the operation.

A young woman browsing personal finance resources on a laptop computer.

Personal Finance Lessons for Teachers and Parents

Personal finance knowledge and skills develop throughout each person’s lifetime. A number of free resources are available to assist parents and teachers in developing youth financial skills.