Content by Jaelyn Whaley

Testing Forages for Nitrates

Free nitrate testing is available at various locations across the state. Nitrate testing strips are used to provide a semi-quantitative value of nitrate levels in forages. It allows producers to make decisions based on the presence or absence of nitrates and appropriate timing for cutting.

Producer holding two white-faced ewes in a handling facility.

Jul 25

SD Sheep Growers Association Yearling Ewe Sale @ Huron

SDSU Extension will host an educational session before the SD Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale on Saturday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CDT at the Magness Livestock Market (105 Custer Ave. SE, Huron, SD 57350).

a while dog sitting in a field with sheep.

Livestock Guardian Dogs That Work: Practical Tips Backed by Producers and Science

Livestock Guard Dogs are indispensable partners in predator protection for sheep and other livestock.

SDSU Extension encourages testing forage nitrate levels

June 11, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is encouraging producers to test the nitrate levels in their forages.

Three black-face sheep being inspected in a show ring.

Gearing Up for State Fair: Understanding Market Lamb Gains

Prepare for the state fair and better understand market lamb gains and weigh-backs.

Cattle grazing a high-diversity, native pasture.

How to Test Hay and Forage for Nitrate Levels Using Test Strips

Step-by-step instructions for how to complete Nitrate testing for forage and hay.

A hairy, wingless fly that is reddish-brown in color.

Sheep Keds in South Dakota

Factsheet covering the lifecycle, identification and management options for Sheep Keds in South Dakota.

Producer shearing a sheep inside a barn.

Shearing Before Lambing: A Management Tool for Lamb Growth and Survival

While some producers shear primarily for wool management, recent research has shown that pre-lambing shearing can also influence lamb birth weight, vigor, and early growth.

Two young women observing a group of sheep in a holding pen.

Managing Sheep Keds

Sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) are blood-sucking external parasites that can significantly impact sheep production.

SDSU meat counter decorated for the holidays. Four employees stand at the front counter smiling.

Direct Marketing Lamb: Selling to the Ethnic Market

The ethnic market plays a crucial role in the success of the American lamb industry. Learn some keys to success for taking advantage of seasonal demand and price fluctuations in this growing market, including when and where to sell.