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Forage

All Forage Content

An orange plastic hoop placed around a portion of tall grass on a range to provide a measurement.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure: Range Record Keeping

Range record keeping helps detect and demonstrate landscape changes that have a direct impact on your ability to maintain or grow your herd.

A green cut alfalfa field dries as the sun sets.

Forage Inventory and Demand Calculator

Calculator for inventorying livestock and forage on hand to determine additional forage purchase needs, or livestock sales.

Plastic bag containing numerous green larvae.

Learn about alfalfa weevil at Northern Plains Forage Association annual meeting

November 17, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension encourages producers to attend the Northern Plains Forage Association annual meeting and seminars, which will feature forage-related education and research.

bales in a field

Forage

SDSU Extension works with forage producers, providing them with access to quick tests, research-based information, and best management practices to help maximize yields and nutritional quality of forages.

Round bales of forage alongside an alfalfa field.
Dec 11

Northern Plains Forage Association Annual Meeting

The Northern Plains Forage Association will host its annual meeting and educational seminars on December 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Brandon Holiday Inn Express (1103 N Splitrock Blvd, Brandon, SD 57005).

aerial view of South Dakota farm and surrounding land

Crops

During the growing season, SDSU Extension provides weekly production recommendations.

oats

Cover Crops

The benefits of planting cover crops are numerous. 

A field of alfalfa.

Forage Variety Trial Results

The 2025 Forage Variety Trial Results include data from different locations in South Dakota.

Yellow toadflax plants flowering in a grassy area beside a field.

Yellow Toadflax Has Begun Producing Seeds: Scout before treating infested areas

Yellow toadflax is a perennial weed that infests pasture and rangeland across South Dakota. This year, with an abundance of heat and moisture, plants flowered in early August and now have started to produce seeds.

Cow grazing on sudangrass.

SDSU Extension welcomes new crop and livestock field specialist

September 12, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Parker Witt as a new Crop and Livestock Field Specialist.