Farm Business Management

Register now for spring 2023 Landowner Prescribed Fire Training

March 06, 2023

The South Dakota Grassland Coalition, in partnership with SDSU Extension and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will host several free Prescribed Fire Training sessions tailored to private landowners.

Carbon Markets and Opportunities for Farmers

There is growing interest in paying farmers for regenerative agricultural practices as a means for sequestering carbon. Learn about some of the benefits and challenges that carbon capture opportunities offer for producers.

Join SDSU Extension for two days of rye production, usage training

January 30, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will host two days of Rye Production and Utilization Workshops on Feb. 15-16 in two South Dakota communities.

Register now for 2023-2024 SowBridge Educational Series

January 17, 2023

Registration is now open for SowBridge, a series for those who work with sows, boars and piglets, and in swine genetic and reproductive areas.

SDSU Extension Annie’s Project for women in agriculture begins Feb. 8 near St. Onge

January 10, 2023

Women in agriculture looking for a bit of a boost can take advantage of the 2023 Annie’s Project, which starts in February at a ranch near St. Onge.

Management Goals for Cow/Calf Operations

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, and good management practices begin by taking good records.

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.

Capitalizing on Cow Costs

Feeding cows is one area of consideration when analyzing the cost of keeping a cow through her production year. Through small management choices, we can decrease the cost of the cow while maximizing on opportunities.

Minimizing Synchronization Costs

With the rising costs of certain feed supplements, uncertainty in the markets, and fear of the unknown, using an estrus synchronization protocol may be the last thing on producers’ minds. However, there is still opportunity to incorporate estrus synchronization without breaking the bank.

Capitalizing on Cow Costs: Part 2

In a previous article, ‘Capitalizing on Cow Costs’ reducing feed costs to improve cow efficiency was discussed. To continue the conversation, another area of cost reduction is in cull cows, bulls and calf death loss.