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.

Single red and white cow standing in harvested cornstalks.

Stretching Forage Supplies with Agriculture Byproducts and Crop Residues

For most producers across the Plains, forage supplies are looking limited because of decreased forage production from persistent drought conditions, making now a suitable time to explore alternative feed options.

aerial view of South Dakota farm and surrounding land

Crops

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

Brown weevil adult with dark band down center of its body.

Alfalfa Weevil

Factsheet on Alfala Weevil identification, lifecycle, damage, scouting and management.

Golden windrows in a hay field

SDSU Extension provides additional drop boxes for free nitrate testing

July 30, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is providing additional drop-off locations for free nitrate testing to ensure a safe feed supply for livestock as dry conditions linger across much of the state.

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.

A group of green plants with white seed heads amongst green grass.

Avoid Noxious Weeds When Haying Right-Of-Way Ditches

After June 15 or July 10 (dependent on location), right-of-way ditches can be mowed or hayed as announced by the South Dakota Department of Transportation. While there is a demand for grass hay, care should be taken when haying right-of-way ditches.

Two black beef cows and one black-and-white beef cow in the foreground.

Forage-Based Heifer Development Systems

Forage-based heifer development systems offer producers a practical opportunity to reduce input costs while maintaining acceptable reproductive performance. By effectively utilizing available forage resources, heifers can be developed efficiently with reduced reliance on harvested feeds.

People eat ice cream under a large tent

SDSU Extension experts to attend 2026 Dakotafest

July 22, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension experts will attend the 2026 Dakotafest trade show in Mitchell, providing educational resources and hands-on activities for a variety of topics.

A close-up shot of big round bales of hay

Drought Emergency Order Provides Flexibility for Forage Transportation

The recent extension of the State of South Dakota’s Drought Emergency Executive Order will provide livestock producers with flexibility to transport harvested forage. The order allows qualifying producers and commercial haulers to continue transporting oversized loads of baled livestock feed under emergency permitting provisions.