Content by Warren Rusche

Group of young producers inspecting beef cattle in a feedlot

Using Feedlot Manure to Reduce Crop Production Costs

Manure plays a key role in reducing system costs for integrated livestock-crops enterprises. Livestock waste can be a valuable source of crop nutrients when correctly managed.

Black beef cattle at a feedbunk at an SDSU research facility.

Registration open for 2026 Siouxland Feedlot Forum

April 20, 2026

Registration is open for the Siouxland Feedlot Forum on June 16, 2026, in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Black beef cattle at a feedbunk at an SDSU research facility.

Replacing Distillers Grains with Heat-Treated Soybeans to Increase Finishing Cattle Growth

Heat-treated soybeans offer interesting attributes that could enhance cattle growth. The SDSU Feedlot Research group recently examined how they can fit into modern cattle feeding diets.

Beef cattle eating feed

SDSU Extension co-hosting Cattlemen’s Education Day

February 03, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension, in partnership with the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, is hosting Cattlemen’s Education Day on Feb. 19, 2026.

Black cow standing in winter pasture.

Cow-Calf Share Lease Calculator

Decision aid tool to calculate cow-calf share leases.

Group of farm employees and managers gathered at a table.

Building and Retaining a Skilled Agricultural Workforce: Challenges and Strategies

Building a strong, motivated workforce is essential to the future of agriculture. A team from SDSU Extension is exploring the challenges and opportunities facing our agricultural community.

A group of weaned calves

Register now for SDSU Extension Calf Value Discovery program

October 07, 2025

Registration is open for the 2025-2026 South Dakota State University Extension Calf Value Discovery program.

Producer examining a head of milo growing in a field.

Replacing Corn With Milo in Cattle Diets

Corn is king when it comes to cattle diets, especially in the Corn Belt. However, that does not mean that corn grain is our only option. Milo (grain sorghum) can be a viable option under certain market conditions.

A group of brown cattle foraging in a green field.

Prussic Acid Poisoning

As the first frost date approaches, producers often have concerns about the risk of prussic acid poisoning in livestock. Certain forage plants, especially sorghums and related species are associated with an increased risk of death loss because of prussic acid poisoning.

Cattle lined up along a feed bunk as a truck loads feed.

How Protein Source Affects Protein Metabolism in Ruminants

While it is common to balance beef cattle diets based on the crude protein system, it does not paint an accurate picture of what is occurring inside the animal, leading to gaps in nutrition and economic losses.