Content by Heather Gessner

Red beef cattle grazing cornstalks in a harvested field Pierre, South Dakota.

Corn Residue Grazing and Rental Rate Considerations

Crop residue makes excellent fall forage for cattle and helps prevent volunteer corn in fields the following growing season. With many corn fields around, farmers and ranchers can work together and find a way to use residue grazing for adding soil nutrients and gaining feed access that benefits each party, respectively.

Volunteer corn plants scattered throughout a soybean field.

Grazing Corn Stalks to Combat Volunteer Corn Following Drought Periods

The incidence of volunteer corn in subsequent crops tends to be greater following periods of drought. Utilizing livestock to graze corn residue following harvest is a strategic management practice to reduce volunteer corn in the following crop.

Tractor baling corn residue in a dry, dusty harvested corn field.

Should We Sell Corn Stalks?

Grazing and baling corn stalks may have financial and agronomic benefits for the landowner and provide feed resources for cattle producers. Learn how to determine if it's the right decision for your operation.

Burned remains of a combine harvester in a field.

Harvest Time Equipment Fires

High heat, sparks from a faulty connection, leaking fuel, and crop dust are a recipe for equipment fires during harvest season. To reduce the risk, make preparing and checking your equipment a daily habit.

Farmer signing a lease on the tailgate of a pickup.

Oral Lease Agreements Automatically Renew on September 1

September 1 is the automatic renewal date for all oral agricultural land lease agreements in South Dakota.
Landowners and renters must notify all parties involved in the existing lease in writing by September 1. Failure to do so results in the lease being renewed with the same terms and conditions.

Little black bugs on a yellow flower

SDSU Extension experts win national agricultural association awards

July 30, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension experts were recognized nationally for their excellence in outreach and Extension programming.

People eat ice cream under a large tent

SDSU Extension experts to attend 2026 Dakotafest

July 22, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension experts will attend the 2026 Dakotafest trade show in Mitchell, providing educational resources and hands-on activities for a variety of topics.

Sunny sky over pasture at the Cottonwood Mesonet station.

SDSU Extension provides education, training for range management

July 16, 2026

As ranchers and cattlemen in the region face drought-related grazing pressures, South Dakota State University Extension and its partners have a bevy of opportunities to help them manage this year and begin planning for 2027.

Cattle stand next to a watering hole in a pasture

SDSU Extension hosts drought meetings on June 17

June 04, 2026

SDSU Extension will hold free regional drought meetings on June 17, 2026, in response to current moderate to severe drought conditions affecting agriculture in southern South Dakota.

Mesonet station overlooking drought-stressed pasture in Porcupine, South Dakota.

Pasture Conditions

Pasture conditions need to be carefully considered when determining when to turn livestock out to pasture, especially during drier years. See some tips and tools to help make your operation's turn out season a success.