Grassland

All Grassland Content

Rangeland covered with dense thickets of maturing cedar trees.

Cedar Trees and Rangeland Loss

The issue of cedar tree invasion into South Dakota’s rangelands tends to be a regional conversation. There is generally broad agreement among most resource professionals that these trees are in fact changing our landscape in a negative way.

Herd of cattle swath grazing hay in a winter pasture.

Swath/Bale Grazing

Swath grazing and bale grazing are harvest systems that mesh haying and grazing techniques. Generally, the objective is to reduce labor and equipment expenses by allowing livestock to consume the hay crop in the field.

Producer holding a clump of healthy, plant-rich soil.

Fertilizing Grasslands

Grassland fertilization, like many other grassland management topics, is highly dependent on certain parameters, such as soil type, vegetation type and harvest methods.

Group of ranchers on horseback surveying a vast, rolling rangeland.

Managing and Protecting Grasslands for the Future

Grasslands are a valuable resource for South Dakota, and many of our core industries rely on the perpetuation of healthy grasslands for agriculture, recreation and tourism. Regardless of goals and objectives, many grassland landowners desire assistance with short and long-term grassland management goals.

Small group of black angus cattle grazing in a rolling, well-managed rangeland.

Estimating Livestock Consumption

When planning a grazing strategy, it is important to carefully assess goals and objectives and then match those goals and objectives with the appropriate livestock. It is critical that the manager understand that not all livestock are created equal.

Grazing stick being used to assess current grassland status.

Measuring Grassland Production

Assessing pasture forage production is a key step in planning harvest strategies and can also inform the manager on the status of wildlife habitat or other grassland values.

Tools for measuring grassland growth placed in a rangeland project area.

Monitoring Success

While periodic monitoring is necessary for continued success, a thorough evaluation in the first few months will tell you a lot about grazing levels, benefits to livestock and livestock-to-acre ratio.

Producers moving a group of cattle in a rolling, winter rangeland.

Winter Grazing

The predominant factor in winter grazing is ensuring adequate forage availability while considering long-term range health. When managed correctly, grazing winter range can be a viable option for controlling feed costs without negatively impacting rangelands.

Producer moving a group of black cattle into a section of fenced-in pasture.

Grazing Contracting

For those who own grasslands not typically grazed, or for those looking for a better contract basis, there are several grazing contract options that can be explored.

Landowner and producer in a machine shed reviewing a contract.

Hay Harvest Contracting

For those landowners who typically lease or harvest grasslands for hay, contracting for services is a learned business that can have local variations in how the grass and associated services are valued.