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Content by Warren Rusche

tractor near pile of harvested silage

Salvaging for Silage: Tips to Minimize Loss, Maximize Value

August 09, 2021

With South Dakota rangeland and pastures rated 84% poor to very poor across the state, many cattle producers may be thinking about putting up silage for a feed source.

harvester chopping corn silage, depositing silage into green wagon.

Silage: Minimizing Losses and Maximizing Value

Optimizing silage value starts by harvesting at the right moisture content.

Black and red feedlot cattle eat corn silage from a feed bunk in South Dakota.

Frequently Asked Questions - Forage Nitrate Toxicity in Ruminant Livestock

A fact sheet to address frequently asked questions about forage nitrate toxicity in ruminant livestock.

a tractor pulling a blue feed wagon

Last Chance to Register for 2021 SDSU Extension Feedlot Shortcourse

August 02, 2021

South Dakota State University Extension encourages cattle feeders and backgrounders from South Dakota and surrounding states to attend this year's Feedlot Shortcourse.

several men and women standing next to a fence.

Registration Now Open for 2021 SDSU Extension Feedlot Shortcourse

June 21, 2021

The 2021 Feedlot Shortcourse returns to campus Aug. 11 and 12 and will be held at the SDSU Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility classroom, located at 2901 Western Ave. in Brookings

Newborn black angus calf with mother cow.

Beef: Best Management Practices for Cow-Calf Production

This comprehensive book provides producers with insight and education into the latest beef management, handling practices and technology.

Black angus cattle eating a corn feed ration from a small feeding bunk.

Raising Freezer Beef: How To Feed Grain-Finished Beef

A trend that has become more prominent in recent years is for ranchers to finish a few animals and sell beef directly to the consumer. This article will address a few options for hand-feeding a small group of cattle to finish.

Several black beef cattle close together feeding.

Influence of Body Condition on Reproductive Performance of Beef Cows

Fact sheet about understanding effects of body condition score on reproductive performance.

Group of mixed calves in a feedlot.

Calf Value Discovery Program

The Calf Value Discovery Program enables cow-calf producers to assess the value of their cattle in value-based marketing systems and gain valuable carcass and feedlot performance information to aid in management decisions and improve profitability.

A large, yellow automatic cattle waterer installed in a feedlot.

Water: The Unappreciated Nutrient

Water intake is strongly linked to feed intake, so any factors that cause cattle to drink less will lead to reduced feed intake and consequently reduced performance.