Bunch the Cow Herd
Reproduction is one of the biggest drivers of economic success. Cows stressed by cold, wind, snow, and mud will put energy resources into body condition maintenance and lactation prior to recycling.
Beef Cattle
All Beef Cattle Content
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.
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.
Beef Management & Reproduction Report Card
SDSU Extension tool for producers to track the critical management factors that affect reproductive success in beef cattle.
Mar
04
2020 Livestock Environmental Training for CAFOs Workshop - March
SDSU Extension will host a livestock environmental training program for concentrated animal feeding operations on Mar. 4 at 8:30 AM CST at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron (100 Fourth St. S.W. in Huron, 57350).
Winter Lice Control
Seeing cattle rubbing hair off due to lice infestations can be extremely frustrating. Not only are the cattle damaging fences and equipment, there also can be performance losses and health issues not to mention that the cattle are simply not as visibly appealing, which can be very important for seedstock producers or feeders selling backgrounded feeders.
Nutritional Needs Prior to Calving
Nutrition during late gestation plays a large role on the future calf as well as the dam. It is during the last 60-90 days of gestation, or the pre-calving period, that impacts the calf’s survivability, long-term health and overall production.
Managing Cow/Calf Pairs With Excess Spring Moisture
Rain, snow and warming temperatures are making their way again this winter as future forecasts indicate another wet spring. However, with last year’s flooding we’re a little wiser on how to tackle the predicted flooding.
Spring Flooding: Preserving Your Ability to Care for Your Animals
When winter snowfall begins to melt, severe spring flooding can be a real possibility. Of the people witnessing the rising water, livestock producers and other animal caretakers have perhaps the most daunting task.
SDSU Extension and South Dakota Mesonet team up to release the Livestock Stress Tool
February 07, 2020
Weather conditions in the Northern Plains can present many challenges for livestock producers. Farmers and ranchers need to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions to provide the best care for their livestock and minimize their risk of losses.