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.

aerial view of South Dakota farm and surrounding land

Crops

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

An alfalfa field growing in mid-october near Lemmon, South Dakota.

End-of-Season Alfalfa Management

It's time to plan our end-of-season alfalfa management strategy, and with it come the questions: 'Should I make another cutting?' 'When should I cut?' and 'How much time does my stand have left?'

A group of brown cattle foraging in a green field.

As the first frost date approaches, producers often have concerns about the risk of prussic acid poisoning in livestock. Certain forage plants, especially sorghums and related species are associated with an increased risk of death loss because of prussic acid poisoning.

A grass forage blend grows in a central South Dakota field as Red cattle graze.

Managing Prussic Acid Risk Following Drought

Drought creates several challenges for ranchers, from reduced forage availability to declining pasture quality. It can also create concerns about forage toxicity issues resulting from excess nitrate and prussic acid accumulation.

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.

Forage Variety Trial Results

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

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.

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

Alfalfa Weevil

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

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.