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A group of dairy employees having a discussion around a barbecue grill.

Employee Turnover: It Is Important in Agriculture Also

Lots of conversations in agriculture lately focuses around labor or the lack of a labor pool of employees. This is the case not only for dairy farms, but also within the entire agriculture industry.

A group of black heifer calves in a feedlot.

Choosing the Right Custom Feeding Partner

Custom cattle feeding can be a “win-win” strategy when done correctly. Feeding someone else’s cattle provides a method to market feedstuffs without tying up the capital required to own the livestock.

Group of adults and children playing doubleball game in a field

Dakota & Lakota Traditional Games Resource

Play these games to promote the development of physical endurance, coordination, dexterity, quickness and strength.

Six black cattle grazing a field with patches of snow.

Considerations for Cull Cows

The last year was difficult to say the least, from a wet, muddy spring and late planting to an early, wet fall and difficult harvest. Unfortunately, for cow calf producers, the repercussions were seen during pregnancy detection this year, as the number of slaughter cows within the state were abundant due to open cows.

Dairy cattle wearing feeding muzzles while feeding at a feed bunk. A series of arrows on two of the cows labeled Y, Z, X represent feeding motions recorded by the muzzles, while two variables labeled T-0 and T-1 represent "lag" variables expressed by lowering their muzzle to the feed bunk table to eat. For a complete description, call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

New Sensor Technology to Estimate Feed Intake in Lactating Dairy Cows

The use of sensor technology to advance the field of precision livestock farming is becoming more predominant in modernized dairy farms.

A pair of hands wearing garden gloves holding tomatoes. A white text overlay reads "2018 Farm Bill." This image is courtesy of the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Time to Sign up for 2018 Farm Bill

This winter it is time to study up on the Farm Bill elections and make an appointment with the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) in order to put the program in place for the farm. The deadline to make the election is March 15, 2020.

A drop of dew on a green leaf.

How to Choose the Right Adjuvant for the Job

With the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds, the use of an adjuvants is also on the rise and may be necessary to help control resistant weeds.

A herd of cattle grazing in a snowy pasture.

Nutritional Needs Prior to Calving

Nutrition during late gestation plays a large role on the future calf as well as the dam. It is during the last 60-90 days of gestation, or the pre-calving period, that impacts the calf’s survivability, long-term health and overall production.

A South Dakota Mesonet station in a snow-covered field.

SDSU Extension and South Dakota Mesonet team up to release the Livestock Stress Tool

November 18, 2021

Weather conditions in the Northern Plains can present many challenges for livestock producers. Farmers and ranchers need to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions to provide the best care for their livestock and minimize their risk of losses.

A field of standing corn covered in snow.

Standing Corn Considerations

The January 2020 South Dakota Crop Progress Report indicated four percent of S.D. corn acres remain in the field. Given the record rainfall of 2019, current snow pack levels and the 3-to-6-month precipitation forecasts, farmers will likely be dealing with a wet spring in 2020, thus making the removal of those acres important but hard to accomplish.