Beef Industry and General Management
SDSU Extension experts to attend 2026 Dakotafest
July 22, 2026
South Dakota State University Extension experts will attend the 2026 Dakotafest trade show in Mitchell, providing educational resources and hands-on activities for a variety of topics.
Livestock
South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.
Cover Crop Grazing Windows for South Dakota Crop Rotations
This guide is intended for livestock producers and crop producers interested in integrating cover crop grazing into cash crop systems. Recommendations identify opportunities for both fall grazing of rapidly establishing annuals and spring grazing of overwintering species, helping extend grazing seasons, reduce harvested feed costs, and improve nutrient cycling within crop rotations.
Compensation Calculator
This calculator provides a method for farm families to determine what the full value of the wages/salary and benefits being provided to employees, family and non-family are.
Animal Science Research and Extension Report
Research report from Animal Science Department covering a variety of areas in livestock production.
Setting Stocking Rates With Flexibility in Mind: A decision framework for uncertain years
Setting stocking rates during years when moisture is unpredictable does not require perfect information. It requires a framework that protects both your land and your options.
Pasture Conditions
Pasture conditions need to be carefully considered when determining when to turn livestock out to pasture, especially during drier years. See some tips and tools to help make your operation's turn out season a success.
Diversifying Your Forage Base for Drought Flexibility
While no single strategy eliminates drought risk, diversifying the forage base can offer producers added flexibility by spreading risk across species, planting windows, and rooting depths.
Spring Pasture Report: Should You Delay Turnout in 2026?
As spring 2026 begins, South Dakota and most of the High Plains region is starting out well behind the mark in the moisture category.
GPS Tracking Ear Tags in Beef Cattle Production
GPS tracking ear tags are an exciting advancement in precision livestock technology that can improve operational efficiency, provide real-time animal monitoring, and generate alerts when animals leave designated areas.