Beef Publications

All Beef Publications Content

black cow drinking from a nearly empty stock pond.

Feed & Water Testing Laboratories

A partial listing of available feed testing laboratories.

Two beef heifers standing in a pasture. One is red, the other black and white.

Replacement Heifer Calculator

Excel decision aid to assist producers decide whether to raise or purchase replacement heifers.

five beef cows standing in a pasture

Livestock Vaccines: How They Work and How to Ensure They Do Their Job

Fact sheet about vaccine basics and tips to maintain vaccine viability for cattle producers.

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.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

Financial Measures for South Dakota Farms

Farm and ranch businesses have a sizeable investment in equipment, buildings, land, and livestock. These investments require their owners and managers to remain knowledgeable about the financial condition of their business. The information to calculate measures of financial performance can be found in their farm record books or accounting system.

A statue of a dairy cow on a landscaped terrace in front of a long dairy barn.

South Dakota Odor Footprint Tool

Two-part fact sheets explaining the South Dakota Odor Footprint Tool. Part I: Principles and Tools and Part II: Examples.

A large swine barn at the edge of a field.

Optical Dust Meters May Misestimate Dust Concentrations in Animal Barns

Fact sheet aiming to address the measurement bias issue associated with optical dust meters.

A group of ranchers meeting out in the range.

Strategic and Scenario Planning in Ranching: Managing Risk in Dynamic Times

A changing marketplace, price volatility, labor availability, record high feeder calf prices, the effects of the ethanol industry: How will your ranch operation adapt?

A group of black heifer calves in a feedlot.

Using Feedlot Manure as a Crop Nutrient Source

Factsheet that reviews the steps to obtain a manure application rate based on crop need, soil and manure testing.

A herd of cattle gather around a stock pond on a vast, lush grassland. Courtesy: USDA [CC BY 2.0]

Range Improvements, Grazing Systems and Net Present Value, What is the Right Balance?

As farms and ranches across South Dakota continue to endure increasing costs of production while receiving less cash for grain and livestock marketed; ranch managers must be extra diligent when implementing new range improvements and grazing systems on their ranches.