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Using the ‘Grazing Stick’ To Assess Pasture Forage
Assessing pasture forage is a key step in planning grazing strategies. A grazing stick is a tool that uses simple math and measurements to determine herd size, stocking rates and available grazing days. We will address how to use a grazing stick in this article.
Cotton Strip Soil Test: Rapid Assessment of Soil Microbial Activity and Diversity in the Field
Soil has always been considered as a living system due to its biological components: fungi, bacteria and plant roots. Under several ongoing research projects, we started researching how we can use ‘cotton strip assay’ to compare different cover crop mixes to optimize field soil activity and build up better soil health.
How’s Life in the Soil? Ask (Count) the Earthworms.
Earthworms are ‘very special’ creatures on earth, and their contribution in soil nutrient cycling and fertility management has been acknowledged from the beginning of agriculture. So, the question needs to be asked, how can we help improve earthworm populations?
S.D. Producers’ Willingness To Adopt Patch Burn Grazing vs. Winter Patch Grazing
Patch-burn grazing and winter patch grazing are heterogenous rangeland management practices that aim to increase the diversity of grass composition to benefit wildlife and maintain livestock production. To learn about producers’ desire to adopt these practices, we conducted an online survey between November 2019 and January 2020.
South Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Society to host “Connecting Farm to Future” Virtual Conference
December 02, 2020
The South Dakota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), will host a free virtual conference.
Discussing Food and Agriculture in South Dakota: A Guide for Community Leaders
Food production and farming are issues that operate at the complex pivot point of where ecology and nature meet the marketplace and political systems. The way agriculturalists and communities handle their resources, both individually, and collectively, depends on their collective vision for the future.
Basics of Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
Fact sheet about the basics of body condition scoring for cattle.
Herbicide Residual Effects on Cover Crops after Corn Silage
Fact sheet about herbicide residual effect on cover crops after corn silage.
Range Roundup: Riparian Health Project Started in Western South Dakota
Over the last five years, federal, state, NGO and university partners and producers in Northwest S.D. were involved in a needs assessment that identified riparian health as an area of significant concern across Western S.D.
Influence of Body Condition on Reproductive Performance of Beef Cows
Fact sheet about understanding effects of body condition score on reproductive performance.