Pasture

All Pasture Content

A herd of cattle gather around a stock pond on a vast, lush grassland. Courtesy: USDA [CC BY 2.0]

2017 Weed Control: Pasture and Range

There are 24 million acres of native and tame pasture and range as well as 1.4 million acres of grass hayland in South Dakota.

Range, Grassland, Pasture

A color-coded map of the United States indicating precipitation outlook for June 2019.

June 2019 Climate Outlook for South Dakota

As South Dakota emerges from the wettest 12-month period in 124 years of climate recordkeeping (June 2018-May 2019), June has started warmer and drier than average. The outlook, however, turns towards cooler and wetter than average again for the middle of the month.

Crop Management, Corn, Wheat, Soybean, Garden & Yard Issues, Flood, Soil Health, Forage, Grassland, Pasture, Trees, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Forest, Garden soil

A shiny caterpillar with a light brown head, dark brown body, and three yellow stripes down the length of its back.

Watch Corn for Bronzed Cutworm Activity

Bronzed cutworms are not a common pest of corn in South Dakota. However, they can become an issue when corn is planted into areas that were previously grassland. Like its name implies, bronze cutworms feed on corn above the soil surface, which often results in cutting or clipping.

Crop Management, Corn, Range, Pasture, Grassland

How the Veterinary Lab Diagnoses Anthrax in a Beef Herd

Anthrax is a serious disease of cattle that pops up somewhere almost every year in South Dakota. It’s caused by a bacteria that survives as a very tough spore form in the soil. Knowing whether a death on pasture has been caused by anthrax is important for several reasons.

Beef Cattle, Animal Health, Flood, Pasture, Range

an image of outdoor weather monitoring equipment in a field

SD Mesonet, SD Wheat partner to Bring Weather Station to West River Research Farm, Sturgis

May 22, 2019

The South Dakota Mesonet has installed a new weather station at the West River Research Farm near Sturgis with the support of the South Dakota Wheat Commission.

Beef Cattle, Sheep, Corn, Soybean, Wheat, Cover Crops, Forage, Field Pea, Flax, Oats, Oilseed, Pulse Crops, Sorghum, Sunflower, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goats, Goats, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, Swine, Pasture, Range, Grassland, Soil Health, Wildlife, Developing Communities

healthy rangeland with a diverse variety of grasses and plants throughout

2019 S.D. Rangeland/Soils Days Give South Dakota Youth Opportunity to Learn about Natural Resources

May 21, 2019

The 36th annual South Dakota Rangeland Days and 15th annual Soils Days will be held June 18 & 19, 2019 in Redfield, South Dakota.

Beef Cattle, Sheep, Pasture, Range, Conservation, Grassland, Soil Health

an image of three adults presenting awards to four youth

Wessington Springs 4-H are National Range Judging Champions

May 21, 2019

The Wessington Springs 4-H Range Judging Team were named national champions during the National 4-H Range Judging Competition held in Oklahoma City May 1-3, 2019.

Beef Cattle, Sheep, Range, Pasture, Conservation, Grassland

Jun 18