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Several red angus cattle feeding at a feed bunk.

SDSU, UMN Extension to Host Interstate Cattle Feeders Day

October 26, 2021

Cattle feeders from South Dakota, Minnesota and northwest Iowa are invited to attend an Interstate Cattle Feeders Day Dec. 7 at the Holiday Inn Express Event Center in Brandon, South Dakota.

Group of mixed cattle behind a feedlot fence.

Last Chance to Register for Interstate Cattle Feeders Day

November 22, 2021

Sponsored by SDSU Extension and the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension, the program highlights several timely topics addressing key feedlot production issues.

Herd of black angus cattle feeding in a feedlot.

Cull Cow Management and Marketing Opportunities

No matter the reason for culling, it is important to evaluate the opportunity to add value to cull cows at marketing, as they make up a significant portion of annual ranch income.

Rangeland covered with dense thickets of maturing cedar trees.

Cedar Trees and Rangeland Loss

The issue of cedar tree invasion into South Dakota’s rangelands tends to be a regional conversation. There is generally broad agreement among most resource professionals that these trees are in fact changing our landscape in a negative way.

Two black angus cattle grazing on a variety of grasses.

Grass-Fed Beef: Understanding Terminology in Conventionally Raised Beef and Grass-Fed Beef

What makes grass-fed beef different from conventionally raised beef? This is perhaps the most-common and sometimes most-complex question that arises amongst those hoping to understand the similarities and differences between conventional and grass-fed beef.

Herd of mixed cattle grazing in a well-kept pasture.

Grass-Fed Beef: Market Share of Grass-Fed Beef

So, how significant is the grass-fed beef industry in America? About four percent of U.S. beef retail and food service sales is comprised by grass-fed beef with a value of roughly $4 billion.

Herd of black angus cattle grazing in a well-managed, grassland area.

Grass-Fed Beef: Production Costs, Quality, Voluntary Certifications and Marketing

Generally speaking, grass-fed beef producers are challenged with production expenses that are greater than those of conventionally raised beef. However, profit margins can be greater than those of conventionally raised beef if marketed wisely and creatively.

Several young swine in a feeding facility.

Branched Chain Amino Acids Levels in Swine Diets Containing Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles

Inclusion of dried distillers grains with solubles in swine diets above 20% can negatively impact growth performance of pigs. An imbalance in the branched chain amino acids, specifically excess leucine, is one potential explanation of this decrease in performance.

From left: Meadow deathcamas in a South Dakota prairie rangeland. Silvery Lupine in a rangeland in South Dakota.

Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Deathcamas and Lupine

With prolonged drought conditions throughout many areas of South Dakota, there is an increase of invasive weeds and poisonous plants on rangelands. Identification of poisonous plants is crucial to ensure livestock production is not compromised.

five beef cows standing in a pasture

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Training set for June 30

June 08, 2021

An environmental training session for operators of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), will be held Wednesday, June 30 in Huron at the Crossroads Convention Center.