South Dakota Pastures Improve with Fall Rains

By Scout Nelson

As South Dakota transitions into the dormant season, improved rainfall has brought much-needed relief to pastures and soil conditions across the Northern Great Plains. The 2025 growing season marks a noticeable improvement from last year’s drought, with fall precipitation helping recharge soil moisture before winter.

Recent rains have supported strong fall green-up in many areas. According to the Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI), western South Dakota experienced particularly wet conditions through early October, while eastern areas show slight drying trends.

This variation highlights the importance of monitoring soil moisture and preparing for potential drought changes in the months ahead.

With the new water year beginning on October 1, now is the ideal time for producers to assess the previous season’s precipitation, pasture recovery, and forage availability. Maintaining standing forage and soil cover—often called soil armor—is critical for reducing erosion, storing moisture, and protecting beneficial microbes during freezing temperatures.

Looking toward winter, long-term forecasts indicate near-average temperatures and precipitation, with a slight chance of above-normal moisture in northwest South Dakota. Producers are encouraged to evaluate their grazing resources, feed supplies, and livestock conditions to plan effectively for the dormant season.

As winter approaches, grazing stockpiled dormant pastures or cover crops can help reduce feed costs without sacrificing herd health. While dormant grasses provide lower protein content, strategic supplementation can maintain cow body condition through late gestation.

Extension specialists remind producers to review forage quality, feed markets, and culling strategies to ensure efficiency and sustainability during the cold months. Thanks to timely rainfall, many South Dakota operations are entering the winter season with improved pastures, offering opportunities to extend grazing and minimize reliance on hay.

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