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A yearling heifer grazes on Canada thistle after a mid-October snowfall.

Plan Now to Control Weeds With Grazing Next Season

Livestock will graze Canada goldenrod, Canada thistle and perennial sow thistle. At certain times of the year, these plants have crude protein, total digestible nutrients, and invitro dry matter digestibility concentrations similar to alfalfa and other common forages.

Variety of frozen meats in a freezer labeled with a red, “Not for Sale” stamp.

Meat (Not) For Sale

Before buying meat from local livestock producers, take the time to understand the rules and regulations of local meat processing.

Field with field peas and blue sky with fluffy white clouds

Weed Control: Pulse Crops

Weed competition can cause significant yield reduction in pulse crops. Pulse crops are weak competitors with weeds, therefore planning an effective weed control program is one of the keys to profitable production.

Small group of customers viewing different cuts of meat at a butcher shop.

Why does beef from the store taste different than the beef from my local butcher?

Grain or grass-finished? Wet or dry-aged? Learn the factors that influence the flavor profiles of meat products found at local butcher shops and grocery stores.

Group of children eating school lunch in a cafeteria.

Farm to (More Than) School

Opportunities for local food procurement go beyond just school lunch! Learn about several child nutrition programs and settings that may accept local foods.

Three children working in a community garden.

What is Farm to School and Early Care and Education?

Farm-to-school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early childhood education settings.

Several wrapped bales of hay lined up near a barn.

Round Bale Storage Conservation

Fact sheet discussing conservation of round bale storage.

Dakota Fresh Food Hub Logo

Dakota Fresh Food Hub Continues Connecting Local Farmers With Local Consumers

Interest in local foods continues to soar among consumers nationwide. Here in South Dakota, the Dakota Fresh Food Hub in the southeastern corner of the state is helping meet that local demand by providing an array of local foods to wholesale and retail customers.

Several portions of ground beef being inspected at a meat processing facility.

Meat Inspection in South Dakota: Requirements and Resources for Processing and Selling Meat

If you are considering marketing your animals directly to consumers it is important to understand the inspection requirements for selling meat directly to consumers.

A pork carcass that has been cut in half. There are black lines demonstrating where to cut the carcass into its primal cuts. White arrows call out the tenderloin section and the aitch bone. For a complete description, contact SDSU Extension at: 605-688-4792

At-Home Hog Slaughter

One option to address supply chain disruptions is to butcher pigs at home.