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Small group of cattle eating plants near a fenceline

Cows Eat Weeds

By utilizing grazing as a means of cultural control, producers have the potential to decrease input expenses while reaping the benefits of inexpensive weed control through animal nutrition.

A thick patch of yellow, flowering leafy spurge plants growing in a pasture.

Spot Treatment Options for State Noxious Plants

When controlling grassland weeds, the mindset of row crop weed control may be put into practice too often. In most cases, broadcast control of weeds in grasslands is rarely necessary. Most often, spot treatment can be used more effectively to manage the noxious and invading weeds.

A group of mixed cattle grazing in a pasture with several Canada Thistle plants spreading throughout.

Alternative Pasture Weed Control

The term ‘weed’ can be broadly applied to any plant that is undesirable at any given time and place based on certain criteria. It is important to understand that the word ‘weed’ has become a general term with no universal definition, and many plants are considered to be weeds, depending on location.

Color-coded map showing average grazing readiness date for Western Wheatgrass in South Dakota. For assistance reading this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

South Dakota Grazing Readiness Spring Turnout Map

The South Dakota Grazing Readiness Map uses historical climate data to provide livestock producers with a range of spring turnout dates for their location based on grass type.

Two black angus cows with calf in a dry pasture.

Managing For Annual Swings in Forage Production

Being able to adapt your stocking rate and grazing intensity to fit forage conditions provides you with tangible management actions you can take to protect your pastures from overgrazing in any year.

Herd of black-beef cattle being moved in drought-stressed rangeland.

Trigger Dates: Critical Decisions for Drought Management

Having a drought plan in place ensures that you can overcome the inhibitions surrounding a drought response, the basis of which is figuring out trigger dates.

Group of black cattle near a stock dam that’s drying up under drought conditions.

Drought Planning

A drought plan will be an essential component to your overall grazing plan, as it provides guidance in making decisions during critical times when forage may be lacking.

Participants inspecting a rangeland area during the South Dakota Rangeland Days event.

38th Annual Rangeland and 17th Annual Soils Days Set for June 14 and 15 in Murdo

March 28, 2022

Rangeland and Soils Days offer a unique opportunity for youth and adults alike to learn more about South Dakota’s natural resources.

Producer moving a small group of cattle in a rotational grazing system.

Management-Intensive Grazing Plays a Key Role in Expanding Grass-Based Agriculture

By improving livestock carrying capacity and reducing feed costs, grazing strategies at greater management intensity have the potential to improve grass-based livestock production profits.

Two young woman inspecting plants growing on a vast, open range.

SDSU Extension to Host Women on the Range Mini Winter Workshop

December 29, 2021

Women in agriculture across South Dakota are invited to attend a Women on the Range Mini Winter Workshop in Fort Pierre and Pierre, South Dakota, on Jan. 14, 2022. Participants will learn about the importance of soil health and how to integrate it into their grazing management systems, as well as available winter feeding methods that also create ecosystem benefits.