Dairy Cattle

All Dairy Cattle Content

Red angus cattle gathered in a feedlot in winter.

Livestock

South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.

Small group of beef heifers.
Jun 01

Cattle AI Refresher Course

SDSU Extension is hosting a cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) refresher course June 1, 2022.

small group of dairy cattle grazing in a pasture near a red monoslope barn

Dairy

As a member of the I-29 Moo University Collaboration, SDSU Extension connects South Dakota’s producers with peers and industry experts across a five-state region.

Professional headshot of Patricia Villamediana

SDSU Extension Welcomes New Dairy Field Specialist

April 05, 2022

Patricia Villamediana recently joined SDSU Extension as a dairy field specialist and will work to improve agricultural profitability and growth of the dairy industry through research-based programming and resources.

I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course tour at Binford Farms, MN

I-29 Moo University Annual Dairy Beef Short Course To Be Held On March 29

March 17, 2022

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, 2022, as part of the pre-educational events for the Central Plains Dairy Expo.

five beef cows standing in a pasture

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Training Set for March 2

February 15, 2022

An environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations will be held Wednesday, March 2, in Huron at the Crossroads Convention Center.

A man drilling a core sampler into the side of a hay bale.

Forage Sampling Procedures

Proper sampling of forage is essential if we want to obtain an accurate indication of the nutrient composition, dry matter content, or value of any feedstuff.

A green cut alfalfa field dries as the sun sets.

Forage Resources Available to S.D. Farmers and Ranchers

Forages are a very important part of the South Dakota livestock and cropping industries. Often, producers have difficulties finding enough forage for their herd or locating a fellow producer to buy, sell or rent forages and grazing acres too. South Dakota now has two widely-recognized, free resources to aid in these connections.

Several wrapped bales of hay lined up near a barn.

Importance of Proper Forage Sampling

As dairymen and livestock caretakers, we are trying to optimize the performance of our livestock, whether it is producing milk or meat. Without knowing the quality of the feedstuff or forage we are feeding, it becomes difficult to balance a ration to ensure the animal is receiving the proper amounts of needed nutrients.

An ear of corn in a field with visible white mold on the tip of the ear.

Can Livestock Utilize Moldy Grain?

While livestock producers know that moldy grain and forage are not ideal feedstuffs, they also know that stored feed occasionally contains a small amount of visible mold, and that their animals consume it with no obvious adverse effects. The question arises, how much mold is too much for a feed to be unsuitable for animals?