Livestock
South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.
Beef Reproduction and Genetics
All Beef Reproduction and Genetics Content
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.
Feed at Night, Calve During the Day
As cattle producers begin thinking about calving season and management practices to ease the workload, night feeding is something to consider. Producers have questioned whether or not the time of feeding affects time of calving, and the answer is “Yes.”
The Calving Distribution Calculator
Excel calculator for calving distribution
Selecting a Calving Season Based on Matching Nutritional Needs and Resources
Choosing the calving season is a complex and highly individual decision for each beef cattle producer. A primary consideration in pasture-based cow-calf operations is choosing a calving season that will best match the forage supply to forage demand.
Late Gestation Planning Prior to Calving
For most, weaning is in the books and pregnancy detection is complete or soon to be underway. Now is the time to pay attention to those pregnant cows out on crop residue or grass.
Preg-Checking Decisions
There is much value in preg-checking spring-calving cow herds in the fall. The most common is to cull open cows from the herd. The second reason would be to reduce the number of late calving cows in the herd.
Effects of Shipping and Heat Stress on Embryonic Mortality in Cattle
Fact sheets on the effect of shipping and heat stress on embryonic mortality in cattle.
Understanding Estrous Synchronization of Cattle
Fact sheet on the use of estrus synchronization of cattle
Influence of Body Condition on Reproductive Performance of Beef Cows
Fact sheet about understanding effects of body condition score on reproductive performance.