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![An ear of corn in a field with visible white mold on the tip of the ear.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00527-corn-mold-grain-mycotoxin-aflatoxin.jpg)
Can Livestock Utilize Moldy Grain?
While livestock producers know that moldy grain and forage are not ideal feedstuffs, they also know that stored feed occasionally contains a small amount of visible mold, and that their animals consume it with no obvious adverse effects. The question arises, how much mold is too much for a feed to be unsuitable for animals?
![A sump pump and emergency backup battery set up in a basement. Courtesy: Jeff Covey (CC BY-SA 2.0)](/sites/default/files/2020-04/W-00541-00-flooding-sump-pump-basement.jpg)
Flooding and Sump Pumps
For many homes with a basement or crawl space, a sump pump and drainage system can help reduce the risk of a basement flooding from high water table situations. Here are a few tips for making sure your sump pump is working as it should, and you are not causing problems for your neighbors downstream.
![Black angus cattle feeding in a feedlot.](/sites/default/files/2020-02/W-00476-00-beef-cattle-feedlot.jpg)
What Goes Into Calculating Yardage?
Yardage cost is the non-feed cost per head for every day that an animal is fed harvested feed in some form of confinement. Yardage is usually associated with calves and yearlings in the feedlot, but this concept can apply to drylotted or wintering cows as well.
![Two young swine drinking water in a wean-to-finish facility.](/sites/default/files/2020-02/W-00477-00-pigs-wean-finish-swine.jpg)
Nursery Pig Performance Impacted by Total Dissolved Solids in Water
Because water quality can vary considerably between production sites, it is important to identify the qualities of water that impact the growth performance of nursery pigs.
![herd of cattle in a muddy feedlot with serious flooding. FEMA News Photo](/sites/default/files/2019-03/W-00144-00-cattle-flood-feedlot-flooding-mud_0.jpg)
Dealing With Spring Mud and Flooding
As the snow melts, we are going to be left to deal with mud at a minimum and extensive flooding as a possible worst-case scenario. While we can’t control the pace of melting or the possibility of additional precipitation, we may be able to take a few steps to mitigate the negative impacts.
![Pieces of net wrap and forage wadded up together, with a nob approximately 6 inches across at the top and 4 inches long, with a 1 inch rope like structure that is 13 inches long leading to another nob that is approximately 2 inches across and 8 inches long.](/sites/default/files/2020-02/W-00482-01-net-wrap-forage.jpg)
Summary of Forage Binding Survey and Current Net Wrap Research
Recently, cattle producers and veterinarians have become more concerned with the possible ingestion of net wrap or twine from hay bales and the negative impacts it could have on cattle health and performance.
![A dog in the cab of a pickup truck as rain falls.](/sites/default/files/2020-02/W-00483-00-flood-pet-companion-animal-health.jpg)
Preparing to Keep Pets Safe and Healthy During Flood Conditions
As is the case with providing for the care of livestock and other large animals during flooding, a little forward planning for the care of pets can really pay off when considering the disruptions that spring flooding can bring.
![A teardrop shaped tan tick with eight legs and brown markings on a white background.](/sites/default/files/2020-02/W-00491-01-winter-tick-male.jpg)
Winter Ticks in South Dakota
Winter ticks, also called moose ticks, are unlike other tick species because they are active during the winter months.
![A male producer removing net wrap from an upright bale.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00492-00-net-wrap-removal-forage.jpg)
Net Wrap Removal Made Easy
I was approached by a cattle producer about efficiently removing net wrap. As many of you know, net wrap has its advantages as well as disadvantages, but is largely used as a hay binding material.
![Three, four-wheel drive John Deere tractors, pushing up chopped corn silage into a drive over pile on a dairy farm.](/sites/default/files/2019-09/W-00401-01-silage-packing-pile-equipment.jpg)
Harvesting Silage on a Wet Year: Moisture is Critical
Fall is on its way in South Dakota. However, with many flooded and saturated fields, some producers are growing concerned that there will be little opportunity to harvest silage before corn dries down past desired moisture levels or frost occurs.