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Beef Herd Health and Quality Assurance

All Beef Herd Health and Quality Assurance Content

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.

Left: Ponderosa pine tree growing on rangeland. Right: Long, skinny, green needles on Ponderosa pine branch.

Pine Needles: Another Possible Threat to Beef Cow Pregnancies

For at least the past 50 years, consumption of Ponderosa Pine tree needles (and those from a few other pine tree species) by pregnant cattle has been recognized as a cause of abortions during the last trimester (three months) of gestation.

Producer observing a group of cattle in a holding pen.
Feb 25

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Leola

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 25 from 12:30-3:00 p.m. at the Leola Municipal Building (742 Sherman St, Leola, SD 57456)for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

group of students looking at a pair of beef cattle
Feb 20

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Faulkton

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 20 from 12:30-3:00 p.m. at the Faulkton City Hall (105 8th Ave, Faulkton, SD 57438) for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

Male and female producer examining a small group of mixed cattle in a pole barn.
Feb 24

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Britton

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 24 from 2:30-5:00 p.m. at the SDSU Extension Marshall County Office (909 Main St, Britton, SD 57430) for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

two men viewing a laptop on the hood of a white pickup

Beef Quality Assurance

South Dakota producers have the option to receive beef quality assurance (BQA) certification.

A person standing next to a blue container with cows
Feb 13

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Huron

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 13 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. at Nordby Exhibit Hall (1070 Third St SW, Huron, SD 57350) for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

A group of five people stands in a circle inside a group of pens
Feb 12

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Madison

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 12 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. at the SDSU Extension Lake County Office (1000 Egan Ave S, Madison, SD 57042) for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

A group of participants of the beefSD program
Feb 12

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Watertown

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 12 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at the SDSU Extension Coddington County Office - Room B(1910 W Kemp Ave, Watertown, SD 57201) for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

two ranchers carrying feed buckets to small group of cattle
Feb 10

Virtual Beef Quality Assurance Training

SDSU Extension will host a virtual Beef Quality Assurance program on February 10 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. CST for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.