Pierre, SD, USA / DRGNews
Apr 10, 2021 8:00 AM
As South Dakota farmers and ranchers gear up for spring planting and turning livestock out to pasture, warmer than average temperatures and limited chances of precipitation are continuing to make a dry situation worse. According to the latest
U.S. Drought Monitor, 78.7% of South Dakota is in some level of drought, including 8% that is newly classified as Extreme Drought (D3) in the north central region. The rest of the state is Abnormally Dry (D0).
“Drought is expected to persist in these areas through April, according to the latest
monthly drought outlook issued on March 31 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center,” says Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. “Northeast South Dakota has some likelihood to improve their drought condition with a more active storm track forecast to begin in mid-April. Overall, warmer than average temperatures are expected to continue in A
April 1, 2021
Brookings, S.D. – SDSU Extension is requesting assistance in developing a Dairy Cattle Reproductive Management Course designed for Spanish-speaking and/or English-speaking employees.
Artificial insemination is the primary assisted reproductive technology implemented on dairies worldwide to create pregnancies within a herd. Traditionally, technicians are taught the skill of breeding, however Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, says knowing how to inseminate a cow is not the only factor that influences first service conception rates.
“Therefore, the intention of the course is not to teach ‘how to AI,’ rather, to work with on-farm dairy personnel to develop a stronger reproductive management skillset by having classroom and hands-on instruction in areas that influence reproductive success (i.e. estrous cycle, anatomy, body condition scoring),” Salverson says. “These individuals can improve their own skillset and take it back to the