Grassland
All Grassland Content
Lessons From Alternative Calving Workshops
Recently, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition and SDSU Extension held workshops across the State focused on sharing information from experienced livestock producers who have switched to a calving date more in sync with nature.
Financial Considerations With Livestock Grazing Distribution
With spring turnout to grass here for some ranchers and just around the corner for others, proper livestock grazing distribution is a key aspect of a comprehensive grazing management plan.
Strategic and Scenario Planning in Ranching: Conducting a Ranch Inventory
During times of belt-tightening, it’s imperative to make sure all the resources of the ranch are being utilized as efficiently as possible. Conducting a complete ranch inventory is a perfect time for ranch managers to take an in-depth look at their operation.
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 Improves Stocking Capacity and Ranch Profitability
Livestock stocking rate is considered as one of the most important decisions that ranchers can make, as heavy stocking rate causes grassland degradation and adversely impact the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services.
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.
Management for Recovery of Rangeland After Wildfire
Because fire is a natural component of Northern Great Plains grassland ecosystems, prairie vegetation is very well adapted to recover following a fire.
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.
Removing Mature Shelterbelts From Grasslands
Under what circumstances would removal of mature shelterbelts be warranted? This is a common question often asked in wildlife and conservation circles.
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.