Beef Nutrition

All Beef Nutrition Content

A pair of cows with their calves at pasture.

Considerations for Rumen Development in Weaned Calves

Proper nutritional management of weaned calves is critical in ensuring optimal health and performance.

A herd of cattle feeding at a feed bunker with light snow on the ground.

Cow Mineral Nutrition During Late Gestation

A recent study conducted at Oregon State University researched trace mineral nutrition of cows during the last 95 days of pregnancy and the resulting impact on their calves.

A herd of cattle grazing in a snowy pasture.

Are Your Cows Ready for the Last Trimester of Pregnancy?

We are beginning to enter the last three months of gestation for the majority of spring-calving cows in South Dakota, and there are a few questions that cattle owners should ask themselves in preparation.

A closeup shot of a cow's nose and mouth.

Cow Mineral Nutrition: Trace Minerals and Managing Interactions

Mineral nutrition is vital to overall cow performance. Without appropriate balance of minerals, cows may not perform as desired or could exhibit detrimental effects. There are six trace minerals of significant importance in a cow’s diet.

Two cattle eating forage in a snowy field.

Winter Mineral Nutrition for Beef Cows

Winter supplementation often focuses heavily on meeting protein and energy requirements of cows and tends to leave mineral nutrition as almost an afterthought. In reality, meeting all nutrient requirements, including energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and water are equally important.

A reddish brown calf with a white face grazing in a snow covered pasture

Opportunities for Swath Grazing in South Dakota

Fact sheet on the opportunities for Swath Grazing in South Dakota

Stacked, round hay bales.

Cost-effective and Balanced Cow Rations

Before buying "cheap" feed, it is important to ensure that it will be cost-effective when creating balanced rations for the winter. Learn some things to consider before purchasing.

Producer inspecting an inventory of farm-raised, frozen beef in a freezer.

Raising Freezer Beef: Meeting Customer Expectations

A variety of factors may lead consumers to purchase beef directly from a producer. When purchasing freezer beef, most consumers expect an eating experience that would be as good or better than buying beef from retail.

Raw New York strip steaks on a wood cutting board.

Backgrounding Beef Calves on Cover Crops May Improve Steak Tenderness

Can short-term backgrounding diets of beef calves have long term impacts of meat quality? Recent research from the meat science team at South Dakota State University says, “Yes.”

Small group of beef cattle approaching a pressed mineral block.

SDSU Extension to Co-Host Mineral Nutrition for the Beef Cow Herd Educational Series

May 04, 2022

SDSU Extension will host a webinar series on mineral nutrition for the beef cow herd on May 17, 19, 24, 26, and 31 from 6-7:30 p.m. MT (7-8:30 p.m. CDT).