Pasture

All Pasture Content

Tractor-mounted wick applicator applying herbicide to a pasture.

Low-Cost and Adaptable Plans to Build a Wick Applicator for Herbicides

From crop fields to home gardens, wick applicators can manage weeds by applying herbicides directly to weeds growing at a set height above desirable plants. Learn how to build one yourself in this article.

Two ranchers reviewing a checklist in a farm office.

Checklist to Pasture Turnout

When preparing to turn your herd out to pasture, there are a few management decisions that need to be made. Having a simple checklist is an easy way to make sure you are prepared.

Tan grasshopper with light colored stripes on its back sitting on the soil surface.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2024

In 2024, grasshoppers are likely to cause problems in areas of South Dakota due to large populations that were present in 2023 and the relatively late first hard freeze date observed in much of the state.

A small black bug with tan margins on its wings resting on a grass seed head.

Keep an Eye on Black Grass Bugs This Spring

In South Dakota, black grass bugs are a common spring pest of forage grasses. This native insect first appears in late April and May when grasses emerge from dormancy.

Merino sheep grazing on grassy pasture.

Using Rangeland to Extend Lambs to Meet a More-Optimal Market

Coming off a year of record prices across all classifications of sheep, the current drop in prices has been a bit discouraging. Using historic pricing data, we can observe seasonal price fluctuations that may make holding onto lambs a little longer a more-profitable option.

Grazing exclosure constructed in a rangeland area.

End-of-Season Monitoring

The end of the grazing season is a great time to monitor your pasture/rangeland resources. Learn about some strategies and tools available to help assess where you stand at the end of the season.

Cattle using a fabricated windbreak in north western South Dakota.

Guidelines for Livestock Windbreaks

Livestock grazing open crop residue fields or large pastures can be left exposed during extreme bouts of cold. Ensuring that cattle and any other livestock being pastured in exposed areas have adequate access to shelter to escape the wind and cold is especially important.

Cattle grazing late-fall pasture.

Pasture Conditions and Grazing Opportunities

Fall rains across South Dakota have provided some much-needed soil moisture improvement. Learn some expert tips for taking advantage of late-season grazing opportunities on pasture and rangeland.

Fall pasture with cool-season grass greening up throughout.

Fall Grazing: A Cautionary Tale

It is very tempting to graze new, green cool-season grasses when pastures are dry most of the summer. However, caution should be taken to not overgraze this green-up.

Leafy spurge growing along the edge of a field.

Leafy Spurge Control in the Fall

Leafy spurge is a difficult-to-control, noxious weed in South Dakota. Spring and fall herbicide applications are critical for leafy spurge management.