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Raising Freezer Beef: Management Considerations
A trend that has become more prominent in recent years is for ranchers to finish a few animals and sell beef direct to the consumer. Proper feeding and management is key to capturing extra value and in meeting customer expectations.
Raising Freezer Beef: When Is the Animal Finished?
Many producers have had their own beef processed for years, and some may have been selling animals to their neighbors on occasion. It's another matter entirely when the objective is satisfying customer expectations, especially if finishing cattle hasn't been a normal part of your operation.
Raising Freezer Beef: Meeting Customer Expectations
A variety of factors may lead consumers to purchase beef directly from a producer. When purchasing freezer beef, most consumers expect an eating experience that would be as good or better than buying beef from retail.
Haul the Feed or the Cows
Reduction in pasture forage availability may require producers to decide between hauling feed or hauling cows. Learn how to decide which option is best for your operation.
Counties Designated as Disaster Areas and Qualify for Other Programs
Five South Dakota counties have been given disaster declarations due to dry summer conditions. This declaration gives producers in these counties and those in contiguous counties access to USDA-FSA emergency loans.
Revegetation of Salt-Impacted Soils in South Dakota
This publication provides suggested native species suitable for the revegetation of salt-impacted soils. The suggested species are listed as native to South Dakota according to the USDA NRCS Plants Database.
X-Ray Scanning Confirms Soil Health Benefits from Conservation Practices
Summary report of X-ray scanning confirms soil health benefits from conservation practices.
SDSU Extension Provides Drought Management Resources
June 08, 2022
The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to classify parts of South Dakota in some level of drought. SDSU Extension has a variety of tools and resources to assist producers with drought decision making.
Herd Inventory Centers on Feed Available
With drought conditions continuing across the state, livestock producers will be making hard decisions on livestock inventory numbers as pasture and feed availability become an even more significant factor.
Replanting Considerations
Every season weather events such as hail or flooding can damage or destroy previously planted crops in all or in portions of fields. In May or even early June, many producers will replant these areas. As the end of June approaches, the window for replanting narrows and producers may want to do a more careful evaluation of whether or not to replant.