Beef Nutrition

All Beef Nutrition Content

Color-coded map of South Dakota and other Midwestern states. Colors indicate a higher risk of unplanted areas in Eastern and Northeastern South Dakota.

Stretching Corn Silage Supplies

During the 2002 drought there was a need to stretch corn silage supplies as a result of the drought that affected the U.S. Now we deal with the opposite scenario, where excessive spring rains have not allowed farmers to get to the fields. In both situations livestock producers face challenges.

rancher observing cattle at a feedbunk

Making Use of “Ugly” Feeds

Feed does not have to be perfect to be useful. The key to making smart feeding decisions is knowing what the imperfections are and adjusting accordingly.

a sprawling soybean field with a farm in the background

Soybeans & Sunflowers: Alternative Cattle Forages

Alternative forages like soybean silage or hay, and sunflower silage, can help stretch conventional forage supplies and help avoid overgrazing pasture.

small group of cattle eating forage

Feeding Drought-Stressed Crops to Cattle

Can drought-stressed crops be be utilized as feed? The answer is yes, if we know what the levels of nitrates are in the feedstuffs in question.

red cattle feeding at a small bunk

Limited Forage: What Are Some Alternatives?

Research has shown that a variety of feedstuffs can be utilized to meet the cows’ nutrient requirements with similar performance to hay or hay plus supplement ration.

A calf resting next to its mother in a dry pasture.

Early Weaning as a Drought Management Strategy

Successfully managing drought conditions requires balancing the amount of forage demanded by grazing livestock with the amount produced.

black angus cow at pasture

Hot Weather Challenges Beef Cattle

Hot weather conditions create challenges for grazing beef cattle.

Calf grazing in pasture.

Managing Light-Weight Calves

Weaning calves early is a powerful management tool to reduce demands on range and pasture.

herd of mixed cattle in a dry lot

Drylotting Cow-Calf Pairs

Whether because of reduced forage production caused by drought, or increased competition for grazing acres, feeding lactating cows in a drylot is being at least considered as an option by more ranchers.

A black angus bull standing in a hilly pasture.

Bull Nutrition

This publication focuses on nutrient requirements for developing bulls, feeding programs to “let down” overconditioned bulls, and feeding during the period between breeding seasons.