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Whenever a feedyard worker enters an enclosed space to perform work, they are exposed to inherent risks for injury or death.
LINCOLN, Neb. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). This voluntary program provides funding for the purchase of conservation easements to help productive fa…
BROOKINGS — Vaccines are crucial to keeping livestock healthy and productive. While vaccines do not provide absolute protection, the “added insurance” helps stimulate the animal’s immune system and increases its ability to fight off an infection or lessen the impact of disease if it should occur.
BROOKINGS — Cattle ranchers and industry professionals are invited to hear the latest cutting-edge information and updates for their businesses at the upcoming Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS) Nov. 16-17 at The Monument (formerly the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center) in Rapid City.
One of the many downsides to drought is it often forces us into early weaning. While early weaning is not a bad thing and can be very profitable if done correctly, one of the challenges we find with these early weaned drought calves is we have to keep them in a dry, dusty pen. Dust isn’t ide…
BROOKINGS — The South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the College of Education and Human Sciences announce that the 2021 Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community award celebration is rescheduled for Jan. 28, 2022, at McCrory Gar…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced it will soon publish Requests for Applications (RFAs) for the Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grants program to support agricultural stakeholders who haven’t yet received substantial federal financial assi…
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension invites the public to an interactive Eastern Red Cedar Management Field Day to see the impact goats can have in controlling the most widely distributed conifer across eastern North America. The Oct. 9 event will be held south of the …
HURON — It’s common knowledge that South Dakota is in a drought. But do consumers understand what this means to South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers who rely on the weather for their livelihood? Producers were given guidance on how to share their story during a recent Farmers Union Enterprise…
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is seeking livestock producers interested in opening and operating their own meat processing facilities to participate in a workshop series. The series, “Enhancing Producer Resources to Build Small Meat Processing Capacity,” will inc…
The calendar is steadily marching toward fall harvest. My husband’s work hours at the local grain elevator have reclaimed his Saturdays as well as many of his evenings since the end of July, but his harvest hours will take all of his daylight—as happens with nearly every farmer in the Midwes…
PIERRE — What’s left behind after a cash crop can be pretty valuable if it remains in the field.
BROOKINGS — While portions of South Dakota saw some reprieve from the drought last week, with heavy rainfall making minor improvements to soil moisture levels, the climate outlook for September through November is leaning towards drier than average conditions and warmer than average temperat…
LUBBOCK, Texas — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) re-leased its September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report Sept. 10, increasing estimated planted grain sorghum acres to 7.3 million, up 12% from the August report and 24 percent over the previous year.
BROOKINGS — The South Dakota State University (SDSU) Calf Value Discovery Program will accept steers at two delivery times this year due to dry conditions. The early delivery date is set for Oct. 5, while the regularly scheduled time will be Nov. 3 and 4. For the Oct. 5 delivery date to occu…
Believe it or not, the rates for Nebraska’s ATV (all-terrain-vehicle) accidents in the 55-64 age bracket closely mirrors the rate found in ATV riders who are between 10 and 15 years of age.
Drought not only stresses crops and livestock, it also impacts their caregivers, explained Canistota farmer, Al Scott.
The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) is seeking nominations for a S.D. Specialty Crop Producer of the Year Award. Producers and members of the public are invited to nominate a farmer who has made a significant contribution to specialty crop production in the state. Specia…
ORANGE CITY, Iowa — The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates continuing drought for much of the region.
BATH — The FFA corduroy jacket is more than part of Official Dress. To its owner, the FFA jacket is a physical reminder of the personal accomplishments achieved through the organization —a symbol of hope and belonging for all who wear the corduroy.
HURON — When you raise cattle, it’s tough to get a weekend away. But Roscoe farmer Lane Forkel and his wife, Lindsey, said the South Dakota Farmers Union Young Producers Event was worth it.
The cowboys on horseback, metal pen fences and metal buildings typically found at a feedyard can all be effective conduits for lightning if it strikes.
BROOKINGS — As South Dakota continues to see warmer than average temperatures and limited rainfall, many producers across the state are planning to harvest failed grain crops as much-needed forage for livestock. While drought-stressed crops can still be used as forage, there are many factors…
BROOKINGS — To address drought concerns, as well as weed and pest inquiries, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension will feature two booth locations at the 2021 South Dakota State Fair Sept. 2-6 in Huron. The SDSU WEED Project and SDSU Extension will both be showcased in the Expo Building.
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension invites beginning meat processors and backyard butchers to learn new skills associated with the harvest, fabrication and processing of pigs. The Pork Processing Short Course will be held Sept. 15-17 at the SDSU Meat Laboratory in Brookings.
BROOKINGS — More than 45 sheep producers from across the region attended the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association (SDSGA) Fourth Annual Premium Yearling Ewe Sale in July. The sale, held July 24 at the Magness Livestock Auction in Huron, began with South Dakota State University (SDSU) Exten…
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market …
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska crops could pave the way to better performing, cheaper and greener roads.
AMES, Iowa — Food businesses interested in expanding the processing and retail side of their operation have a new resource published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
South Dakota Farm Bureau Celebrates Past and Future at South Dakota State Fair
I never quite trust a cloudy morning sky after weeks of on-again-off-again wildfire smoke in our atmosphere. So, I woke this morning and wondered for a while whether the haze was another bout of smoke infusion or actual fog. A few hours into this morning, and it does seem to be a genuinely c…
BROOKINGS — The average value of non-irrigated land has increased along with cash rental rates for both non-irrigated cropland and pasture, according to the latest South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey (extension.sdstate.edu/south-dakota-agricultural-l…
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension has unveiled a new ranching program for females — South Dakota Women on the Range (SDWR) — and will host a kickoff event Sept. 9 near Belle Fourche. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. MT at the St. Onge Hall (198 First St., St. Onge).
The Value Added Agriculture Development Center (VAADC) invites you to attend the 22nd annual Value Added Agriculture Center Day at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron on Thursday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
ST. LOUIS — Share the story of how conservation is part of your farm operation and you could be recognized with a Conservation Legacy Award. The awards recognize farm management practices of U.S. soybean farmers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable.
BROOKINGS — The South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council along with South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension will be hosting a cropping systems tour in Minnehaha County on Sept. 8 for producers, agronomists and other professionals interested in cropping system alternatives.
Although we have gotten a bit of rain this summer, the lasting effects of the hot, dry June have left many cow/calf producers with inadequate grass for the summer. One option for saving pasture is to utilize early weaning. As compared to weaning at the traditional six to seven months of age,…
BROOKINGS — 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. While cutting drought-damaged corn for silage may be the best alternative, Warren Rusche, South Dakota State Uni…
Yankton Co. Farmers Union meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m. at the home of David and Ione Cap, 30650 433 Ave. Yankton.
PIERRE — It’s hard to know which events will change the course of a person’s life.
BROOKINGS — Licensed veterinarians across the state are invited to register for the upcoming South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Trainer Certification course. Veterinarians that are current trainers, or those interested in becoming trainers, must attend a certification course with the …
AMES, Iowa — Due to warmer and drier weather this summer, it is even more critical to understand pasture quality and how to use that pasture to support healthy horses.
LYONS, Neb. — Renewable energy offers economic benefits to rural areas and counties where projects are typically located, including direct payments to landowners that establish a new, steady source of income.
The 2021 season has been challenging for many farmers due to drought, but for South Dakota hop growers, the conditions are nearly ideal this year.
HURON — Agricultural producers impacted by drought can now request haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in certain South Dakota counties, while still receiving their full rental payment for the land.
BROOKINGS — The drought's footprint continues to expand across South Dakota, as periodic heat waves impacted conditions over the last month. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 18% of the state is in Extreme Drought (D3), while another 70% follows as Severe Drought (D2).
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension invites crop and livestock producers to its new booth location, #216, at the 2021 Dakotafest in Mitchell. SDSU Extension experts will be on hand to discuss drought management resources and tools, as well as offering testing services …
LINCOLN, Neb. — The USDA is investing up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, a grant program that supports the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Funds are available to Tribes, government e…
OMAHA, Neb. — Farmland values in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming continue to strengthen, building on the gains that followed the 2020 harvest. Supported by low interest rates and the renewed optimism of higher grain prices and farm income, land values are nearing levels not seen in …
BROOKINGS — The Eastern South Dakota Grazing School scheduled for Aug. 11-13 at the Abbey of the Hills near Marvin, South Dakota has been postponed until 2022. According to Pete Bauman, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Natural Resources Field Specialist, this decision was based…
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension and Nebraska Extension have announced the dates for the 2021 Forage Field Day, with this year's program being held in two separate locations for producer convenience. On Aug. 4 the event will be held at the SDSU Southeast Research Fa…
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