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Cattle using a fabricated windbreak in north western South Dakota.

Guidelines for Livestock Windbreaks

Livestock grazing open crop residue fields or large pastures can be left exposed during extreme bouts of cold. Ensuring that cattle and any other livestock being pastured in exposed areas have adequate access to shelter to escape the wind and cold is especially important.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map for South Dakota as of February 4, 2021. Courtesy: U.S. Drought Monitor

Understanding Drought: Information and Current Status

Producers can proactively manage drought impacts by staying up-to-date on current drought status through the United States Drought Monitor website. Weekly updates for South Dakota are posted each Thursday and allow producers to make proactive management decisions.

Dairy employee in winter clothing holding a shovel.

Colder Weather Tips for Midwestern Dairy Farm Employees

Cold and snowy winters are a challenge for dairy workers, especially for those immigrants coming from warmer climates. Informing workers of simple cold weather survival tips is beneficial in improving their quality of life, both at home and the workplace.

Dairy employee in winter clothing holding a shovel.

Consejos Básicos Para los Trabajadores de Lecherías de Cómo Afrontar el Invierno del Medio Oeste

Los inviernos fríos y nevados son un desafío para los trabajadores de las granjas lecheras, especialmente para aquellos inmigrantes que provienen de climas más cálidos donde las temperaturas raramente descienden a un solo dígito.

a strand of oats in a field

2020 Plant Disease Summaries for Small Grains

A number of field trials were implemented in the 2020 growing season with the general objective of assessing various disease management practices suitable for South Dakota growers and the Great Plains.

Color-coded drought monitor map of South Dakota. As of March 22, northwest to southeast South Dakota are facing severe drought to abnormally dry conditions, while the northeast is under normal conditions.

Agronomic Considerations for Moisture Deficit Conditions

The current soil moisture stress in South Dakota could be more pronounced than we have seen in last few years. If this continues, cropping decisions may need to be adjusted for the upcoming growing season.

Herd of young pigs inside a wean-to-finish facility.

Wean-To-Finish Production Systems Evolve for Healthy Pigs

An important foundation of the efficiency of modern pork production is the industry emphasis on biosecurity. Wean-to-finish barns may provide better biosecurity than separate nursery and grow-finish facilities.

Field with purple flax flowers

Herbicide Residual Effects on Cover Crops after Wheat

Fact sheet about herbicide residual effect on cover crops after wheat.

A small herd of black angus cattle at pasture.

Basics of Body Condition Scoring (BCS)

Fact sheet about the basics of body condition scoring for cattle.

harvester chopping corn silage, depositing silage into green wagon.

Herbicide Residual Effects on Cover Crops after Corn Silage

Fact sheet about herbicide residual effect on cover crops after corn silage.