Beef Herd Health and Quality Assurance

All Beef Herd Health and Quality Assurance Content
Microscope analyzing a slide.

How the Veterinary Lab Diagnoses Anthrax in a Beef Herd

Anthrax is a serious disease of cattle that pops up somewhere almost every year in South Dakota. It’s caused by a bacteria that survives as a very tough spore form in the soil. Knowing whether a death on pasture has been caused by anthrax is important for several reasons.

Black beef cow in the foreground of a pasture with a large herd of black cattle.

What This Summer's Heat Could Mean for Pregnancy Rates

Heat stress may be temporary, but its effects on reproduction can persist for months. Understanding those impacts helps producers evaluate breeding outcomes and prepare for future weather challenges.

Beef calf standing in a dry pasture.

Resources for Early Weaning Beef Calves

Early weaning calves is one way to decrease nutrient demands of the cow herd and extend grazing days during adverse weather conditions. Learn some important management strategies to consider before weaning younger calves.

herd of beef cattle grazing in a pasture

Beef

Home to more than 1 million head of cattle, South Dakota’s producers can rely on SDSU Extension for research-based information, best management practices and resources to support healthy and profitable herds.

Red angus cattle gathered in a feedlot in winter.

Livestock

South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.

Dried creek bed running through summer pasture.

Hauling Water to Cows: When water is not everywhere

When drought hits, water failing to fall from the sky is not the only place water is missing. Dugouts, ponds, and creeks also dry up quickly, and the need to haul water may exist to keep cattle grazing.

A small herd of cattle gathered around a pond on an open range.

Livestock Water Testing

SDSU Extension offers on-site livestock water testing services at various locations across the state. 

Sunny sky over pasture at the Cottonwood Mesonet station.

Considerations for Pasture and Herd Health in a Mixed-Precipitation Year

Planning for drought can quickly be replaced with a false sense of security when precipitation does arrive in the middle of the growing and grazing seasons, but the long-term sustainability of your pastures and herd depends on timely, flexible management.

A large, yellow automatic cattle waterer installed in a feedlot.

Water: The Unappreciated Nutrient

Water intake is strongly linked to feed intake, so any factors that cause cattle to drink less will lead to reduced feed intake and consequently reduced performance.

A brown and black cow standing in a feedlot with flies on its face.

Summer Fly Control in Feedlots

Just as longer days mark the beginning of summer, so does the arrival of increased number of flies in feedlots. Flies are not only are an annoyance, they can reduce performance and worsen heat stress. Successful control strategies start with sanitation.