Farm Business Management

All Farm Business Management Content
A green cut alfalfa field dries in windrows as the sun sets.

Forage Production Insurance: Important Changes Ahead for 2027

Due to persistent drought conditions and volatile markets, Forage Production Insurance has become an important risk management tool for forage producers who rely on alfalfa and other perennial forages.

Farmer signing a lease on the tailgate of a pickup.

Oral Lease Agreements Automatically Renew on September 1

September 1 is the automatic renewal date for all oral agricultural land lease agreements in South Dakota.
Landowners and renters must notify all parties involved in the existing lease in writing by September 1. Failure to do so results in the lease being renewed with the same terms and conditions.

Black beef cattle in a cattle facility.

Cattle Weights Responding to Markets

Recent values reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service indicate another increase in the value of cattle production at the state level for the year. The high price levels are also strong incentives to deliver pounds and calves to the market.

Producers reviewing paperwork in a farm office.

Ag Business

Modern agriculture requires savvy financial planning and strategy.

Oats growing in a South Dakota field in late July.

Annual Forage Rainfall Index Insurance: A Risk Management Tool for South Dakota Producers

Drought remains a recurring challenge for South Dakota livestock and forage producers. Annual Forage Rainfall Index insurance is one tool that may help reduce the financial risk associated with below-average precipitation.

Black cattle grazing in a pasture

Conservation, Grazing, and Forage Situation

This report summarizes recent trends in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), harvested hay acreage, and grazing capacity in the United States and South Dakota. The purpose is to give a current picture of conservation enrollment and forage supply.

Three smart phones showing the Prices, Trades, and Crops tools in the Grain Report app.

Grain Report Mobile App

The Grain Report mobile app delivers comprehensive grain market data and analytics for corn, soybean, and wheat producers, traders, and analysts.

Three smart phones showing the Bids, Maps, and Charts tools in the Basis Report app.

SDSU Extension makes Basis Report available via app

June 24, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce that the SDSU Basis Report web tool is now also available as a mobile app.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

South Dakota Agricultural Land Market Trends

The 2026 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 36th annual survey of agricultural land values and cash rental rates by land use and quality in different regions of South Dakota.

Three smart phones showing the Bids, Maps, and Charts tools in the Basis Report app.

Basis Report Mobile App

The Basis Report mobile app brings the power of the SDSU Basis Report web tool directly to smart phones or tablets, giving producers real-time grain basis bids from elevators across South Dakota.