Content by Warren Rusche

A small herd of cattle grazing in a snow storm.
Jan 22

Winter Water Systems Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd. This month, we will highlight options for delivering water in a cost-effective manner for both grazed and confined cattle.

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.

Black cattle heads poke out of a fence into a cement feeding trough filled with hay

SDSU Extension helping cattle producers grow bigger, better beef

May 28, 2025

Warren Rusche would contend that some of the best cattle in North America are born in South Dakota. That gives Rusche and the rest of the applied feedlot research group at SDSU a unique opportunity, and they are making the most of it.

Beef cattle eating feed

Pre-conference speakers join 2025 Siouxland Feedlot Forum

May 28, 2025

A pre-conference program and reception have been added to the 2025 Siouxland Feedlot Forum on June 16-17, 2025, in Sioux Falls, and registration is still available.

group of students looking at a pair of beef cattle

SDSU Extension to host Youth Beef Summit

May 14, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will host a new event for youth age 12-21 to learn about the beef industry.

Beef cattle eating feed

Registration open for 2025 Siouxland Feedlot Forum

April 28, 2025

Registration is now open for the 2025 Siouxland Feedlot Forum on June 17, 2025, in Sioux Falls.