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Interior of a licensed commercial kitchen.

South Dakota Licensed Kitchen Process

Interested in selling food products in a retail establishments? Licensed kitchens are the place to start. Learn the steps for building a licensed kitchen in South Dakota along with rules, regulations and guidelines for processing foods in existing licensed kitchens.

A flock of white sheep grazing in a small pasture.

All American Sheep Day showcases sheep industry during Black Hills Stock Show

January 27, 2023

To showcase South Dakota’s long history and continuing tradition of sheep production, SDSU Extension, the Black Hills Stock Show and sheep industry partners will again host All American Sheep Day on Jan. 30 at the James Kjerstad Event Center at the Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City.

Flock of white sheep in drought-stressed pasture.

Two Master Lamb Producers Recognized at 2022 South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Conference

October 28, 2022

The South Dakota Master Lamb Producers Association recognized sheep producers from Alexandria, South Dakota, and Wessington Springs, South Dakota, during this year’s South Dakota Sheep Growers Annual Convention.

Merino sheep grazing on grassy pasture.

Lamb Bonanza to showcase sheep industry Jan. 7 during SDSU Jackrabbit basketball game

January 06, 2023

Jackrabbit fans who attend the Jan. 7 South Dakota State University women’s basketball game can also sample lamb and wool products as part of the 31st Annual Lamb Bonanza.

A closeup of a sheep's face. The sheep looks to be in pain.

Sore Mouth: A “Pox” Virus for Sheep

Just like in children or adults who contract the dreaded chicken pox, sheep and goats can catch their own similar “pox” virus called Sore Mouth, technically known as Contagious Ecthyma. This health problem is most recognizable by red blisters or thick brown scabs on the skin around the lips or muzzle area.

three brown eggs

Egg Safety with Holiday Foods

Holiday traditions include making tasty treats from frosted sugar cookies to homemade ice cream. They are all delicious, but hidden bacteria could be lurking in uncooked eggs, so refrain from tasting raw cookie dough or cake batter. Even grade A eggs with clean, uncracked shells can be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria.

A young lamb standing in a barn stall.

Importance of Lamb Nutrition Management to Avoid Acidosis

Acidosis (also known as lactic acidosis, grain overload, over-eating or grain poisoning) is a metabolic condition that most commonly occurs with lambs offered grain based diets, but can affect mature sheep.

A mother sheep cleaning its newborn lamb in a pen.

Newborn Lamb Care Management

Proper newborn lamb care is a critical component of flock profitability. In the U.S. lamb mortality from all causes is approximately 20% with more than 80% of those losses occurring in the first two-weeks following lambing.

A flock of white sheep grazing in a small pasture.

Using Corn Silage in Sheep Diet Formulations

Many Midwest producers have limited options for their primary forage source this year and, must utilize ear-less corn stalks as silage for their in livestock feeding systems. Despite the lack of ears on stalks in some areas the resultant corn stover silage is still expected to contain 80% of expected level of energy under normal growing conditions.

A closeup shot of a sheep's eye.

Small Ruminant Abortions: Cleanup and facility considerations

Sheep and goat producers in the upper Midwest rely on annual lamb or kid crops to maintain economic viability. Reduction in the lamb or kid crop due to abortion (premature birth) and stillbirths are a common occurrence on many farms. Some of these problems have implications for human health as well as animal health.