Content by Kim Ricardo

Mixed group of cattle grazing a diverse mix of forage.

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.

Cow with calf in winter pasture.

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.

Cow grazing on sudangrass.

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.