Content by Matthew Diersen
Cattle Weights Responding to Markets
Recent values reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service indicate another increase in the value of cattle production at the state level for the year. The high price levels are also strong incentives to deliver pounds and calves to the market.
Dakotafest
Stop by the SDSU Extension booth at Dakotafest to meet specialists, ask questions, get recommendations and learn about programming and events.
Annual Forage Rainfall Index Insurance: A Risk Management Tool for South Dakota Producers
Drought remains a recurring challenge for South Dakota livestock and forage producers. Annual Forage Rainfall Index insurance is one tool that may help reduce the financial risk associated with below-average precipitation.
Conservation, Grazing, and Forage Situation
This report summarizes recent trends in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), harvested hay acreage, and grazing capacity in the United States and South Dakota. The purpose is to give a current picture of conservation enrollment and forage supply.
Basis for Lighter-Weight Feeder Cattle
With higher overall price levels, the price differences across cattle of different weights have also increased. As a result, producers may want to revisit some pricing rules reflected in price slides and in basis levels for lighter-weight feeder cattle.
Calves From Other Sources
A few longer-run trends continue to dominate the supply-side story of cattle in South Dakota. Beef cow numbers continue to decline. The number of feeder cattle outside of feedlots has remained stable.
Feeder Cattle Basis
Feeder cattle basis levels observed during 2025 specific to South Dakota locations were higher than expected throughout 2025 and sharply higher in November and December, perhaps reflecting a tight supply of feeder cattle nationally.
Live Cattle Basis
Futures prices are from organized trades that provide price information for buyers and sellers of commodities. Local cash prices can be compared to futures prices using a basis measure. With an expected basis measure, producers can observe futures prices and infer cash prices.
An Analysis of Margin Protection Crop Insurance on Corn and Soybeans in South Dakota
Margin protection crop insurance, an endorsement/policy that insures producers against rising input costs, is growing in popularity in South Dakota. Recent research investigated how South Dakota margin protection payouts compared to our neighboring states.
Margin Protection Crop Insurance for Corn in South Dakota
Farmers may be interested in exploring different aspects of crop insurance during the current agricultural conditions of low commodity prices and high input prices. One alternative available is Margin Protection crop insurance.