By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is working closely with cattle producers to improve beef production in South Dakota. Led by Warren Rusche and Zach Smith, the applied feedlot research group focuses on region-specific research and modern feeding strategies.
The team includes 10 graduate students and uses several key facilities. These include the Ruminant Nutrition Center on campus, which holds up to 400 cattle, and the Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility. They also use the Southeast Research Farm near Beresford, which has pens to hold up to 280 cattle and allows them to test feeding techniques using both livestock and crop production.
One of the team’s focuses is studying local feed types, such as earlage – a high-moisture, fermented feed common in the Midwest. They are close to releasing their latest findings on earlage to help producers understand its benefits.
The group is also studying processed soybean feeds and has led national research on feeding rye to cattle. Other projects include looking at how different growth implants affect performance and meat quality, especially during the dry-lot phase of production.
Recently, the team partnered with the North American Limousin Foundation to study how different sire types perform with longer feeding periods. The results of their research are shared on the SDSU Extension website and at live events.
They also host the Siouxland Feedlot Forum with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, bringing together experts to discuss industry trends.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Soybeans, Education, Livestock, Beef Cattle