Drought: Livestock
Guidelines for Livestock Carcass Disposal in South Dakota
Everyone who works with or owns animals tries their best to keep all animals alive. In turn, they also know there will always be normal mortality. Thus, we need to keep in mind the regulations surrounding disposal.
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.
Resources for Early Weaning Beef Calves
Early weaning calves is one way to decrease nutrient demands of the cow herd and extend grazing days during adverse weather conditions. Learn some important management strategies to consider before weaning younger calves.
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.
Developing Replacement Heifers During Drought Conditions and High Hay Prices
High-priced hay does not necessarily mean replacement heifers cannot be developed cost-effectively. Alternative feed resources and strategic feeding programs can help producers meet growth targets while stretching limited forage supplies.
Climate and Weather
View resources to predict, prepare and recover from weather-related events year-round, including the latest drought and flood information.
Hauling Water to Cows: When water is not everywhere
When drought hits, water failing to fall from the sky is not the only place water is missing. Dugouts, ponds, and creeks also dry up quickly, and the need to haul water may exist to keep cattle grazing.
Considerations for Pasture and Herd Health in a Mixed-Precipitation Year
Planning for drought can quickly be replaced with a false sense of security when precipitation does arrive in the middle of the growing and grazing seasons, but the long-term sustainability of your pastures and herd depends on timely, flexible management.
Feeding Drought-Stressed Corn to Livestock
Drought-stressed corn can remain a valuable forage resource when harvested and stored appropriately. Successful utilization depends on careful management, including harvesting at the proper moisture content, achieving adequate packing density, and excluding oxygen during storage.
Using Drought-Stressed Corn as Forage
Drought-stressed corn is a common challenge during dry growing seasons, but it does not necessarily result in a total loss of feed value. With proper harvest and storage management, drought-damaged corn can remain a useful and economical forage source.