Content by Kim Ricardo
Managing Nitrates
In this episode of The Grazing Toolbox, Kim Ricardo, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist, Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist and Parker Witt, SDSU Extension Crop-Livestock Systems Field Specialist discuss current climate conditions and how they may influence forage and feed management decisions.
Multi-Species Grazing and Integrated Livestock Systems
n this episode of Grazing Toolbox, we visited with Jaelyn Whaley and Dave Ollila to discuss multi-species livestock integration and how sheep and cattle can work together to improve grazing management, forage utilization, and overall ranch resilience. Drawing from both Extension and producer perspectives, the conversation explores the opportunities, challenges, and practical considerations involved in incorporating sheep into grazing systems.
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.
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.
Drought-Stressed Forage: Nitrate Considerations
While drought-stressed forages can provide valuable feed, they may also carry an increased risk of nitrate accumulation. Producers should be aware of before grazing, harvesting, and feeding these forages.
Managing the Cow Herd Through Drought
Drought remains one of the most persistent and difficult challenges facing cattle producers. Managing a cow herd under drought conditions requires balancing short-term survival with long-term productivity.
Strategic Culling During Drought Can Strengthen Ranch Profitability
In today’s cattle market, thoughtful culling decisions can provide a dual benefit, generating immediate income from strong cull cow prices while reducing the number of animals to feed during periods of high feed costs and drought stress.
Diversifying Your Forage Base for Drought Flexibility
While no single strategy eliminates drought risk, diversifying the forage base can offer producers added flexibility by spreading risk across species, planting windows, and rooting depths.
Matching Winter Forage Supply to Herd Needs
Most operations feed hay based on convenience rather than cow requirements. Feeding the same hay to all cattle throughout the winter may be simple and efficient, but it often leads to overspending, or underfeeding.
SDSU Extension welcomes new forage field specialist
February 10, 2026
South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Kim Ricardo as a new Forage Field Specialist.