Forage
All Forage Content
Yellow Sweet Clover: Information and Management
Sweet clover is an opportunistic plant that is going to be abundant in pastures and hay fields when growing conditions are favorable, ideally for two consecutive years. Although it can cause problems, it is valuable to wildlife and pollinators and is a nutritious forage source.
Rotational Grazing Benefits: South Dakota Producer Perceptions
To better understand producer perceptions on rotational grazing, we sent out 1,500 surveys to South Dakota ranchers inquiring about adoption status and perceptions of rotational grazing.
South Dakota Grazing Management Practices: Current & Future
Grazing land occupies 54% of rural land and accounts for a key portion of land use in South Dakota. Many grassland problems can be avoided by using efficient grazing management practices.
Do You Have To Defer Grazing on Winter Pastures?
How can ranchers improve profitability when feed typically represents well over half of cow-calf production costs? Grazing dormant winter range is a common practice to reduce costs in South Dakota. Grazing winter range when plants are completely dormant minimizes negative impacts on the function of the plant during the growing season. Separate pastures are typically designated for winter use only, often based on availability of winter shelter, water and access to stored feeds.
Dealing With Snowstorms for Cattle on Winter Range
Ranchers with cattle on winter pastures have a few management strategies to help them cope with the large snowstorms throughout the state.
Check Alfalfa for Blister Beetle Activity
Blister beetles are becoming more common as we progress through the growing season. Recently, there have been multiple reports of blister beetles showing up in alfalfa fields.
Dung Beetles and Other Insects Can Help Breakdown Dung and Control Pests
This article summarizes findings related to dung beetle ecology and how dung beetles advance the breakdown of dung pats.
Determining Hay Prices
Before pricing forages, producers will want to have a good understanding about the cost of growing a ton of hay, alfalfa or straw.
Watch for Pea Aphid Populations in Alfalfa
Recent reports have indicated that pea aphid populations are very large in some alfalfa fields and should continue to be monitored and possibly managed.
Mud Reduces Beef Cow Performance
Every late winter and early spring beef producers usually face the same problem. Whether it is pooled water resulting from melting snow or excessive rainfall, they both lead to mud accumulation.