Developing Replacement Beef Heifers

This publication provides guidance on the care of calves at weaning, nutritive requirements, possible nutritive deficiencies, and the desired rate of gain

Crop Residue Utilization by Beef Cows

Costs associated with beef cow-calf production and particularly the high cost of meeting nutritional requirements of beef cows dictate efficient use of all available feeds. Crop residues can be an important and economical source of feed for beef cows in many South Dakota beef operations. Corn, milo, small grain and soybean residues are those most commonly available

Indexing Beef Cattle

The primary purpose of this circular is to furnish some simplifications in the procedure presently in use in South Dakota for indexing beef cattle. As more data become available, t h e s e methods may change and in that event, supplements will be distributed. Such differences as exist between the shortcut methods presented here and those presently in use will be pointed out as they are taken up in the circular. The methods presented here are based on data taken in private herds in the state as well as in Experiment Station herds. Where there appeared to be a difference, data from private herds were used so that the results would be more widely applicable. This publication is not intended to replace the present Extension Service circular dealing with methods and procedures of performance testing. For details concerning methods, the reader should consult the circular available through the Extension Service

Embryo Transfer in Beef Cattle

Embryo transfer allows one or more fertilized eggs (embryos) to be transferred from a donor female to other cows (recipients or surrogate mothers) for subsequent development and birth. Generally, the embryo transfer calf remains with its surrogate mother through weaning. Persons with adequate training and experience can perform embryo transfer with a reasonably high success rate. However, due to its relatively high cost, the use of embryo transfer to date has been limited mostly to increasing the reproductive rate of valuable cows from seedstock herds and to research applications. Most beef cows produce only one calf per year and fewer than 10 calves in their lifetimes. By combining embryo transfer with the process of superovulation (increased ovulation rate via hormonal stimulation of ovarian follicles), some cows can yield 50 or more embryos per year

Indexing Beef Cattle (Revised March 1965)

The primary purpose of this circular is to furnish some simplifications in the procedure presently in use in South Dakota for indexing beef cattle. As more data become available, these methods may change and in that event, supplements will be distributed. Such differences as exist between the shortcut methods presented here and those presently in use will be pointed out as they are taken up in the circular. The methods presented here are based on data taken in private herds in the state as well as in Experiment Station herds. Where there appeared to be a difference, data from private herds were used so that the results would be more widely applicable. This publication is not intended to replace the present Extension Service circular dealing with methods and procedures of performance testing. For details concerning methods, the reader should consult the circular available through the Extension Service

Calculating Beef Cattle Rations

This publication explains feed and nutrient requirements for different ages and classes of cattle including intake, energy, roughage, grain, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It also provides two procedures and tables for balancing rations. Nutritional supplements are also discussed

Antibiotic Supplementation for Pregnant Ewes

Percentage lamb crop weaned is important to profitable lamb production. Lamb losses from birth to weaning can greatly influence percentage lamb crop weaned. In a recent study at the Ohio Station involving 779 lambs, over-all death loss from birth to weaning was 26 per cent. Records from the Montana Experiment Station range flock (7,191 lambs) indicate a death loss of 23.5 per cent from birth to weaning. The age of lambs when most of the losses occur and the msot common causes of lamb mortality suggest a direct relationship between the health of the ewe flock and lamb mortality. The objective of this three year study was to evaluate the influence of antibiotic supplementation on lamb livability and performance

Agricultural Research at the Reed Ranch Substation: A Progress Report

Reed Ranch is located in Lyman County about midway between Pierre and Presho. It consists of 2,160 acres used for grazing and hay production. This ranch has been used for nearly 20 years as a field laboratory for selenium research. On November 16, 1936, an agreement between the South Dakota State College Agricultural Experiment Station and the South Central South Dakota Land Adjustment Project of the Resettlement Administration outlined a program of cooperative research dealing with selenium poisoning. The program was initiated during 1937 and has continued since. As governmental organization has changed over the intervening years, the cooperating agency representing the Federal Government has also changed from time to time. The present cooperating agency is the U. S. Forest Service. The agreement now in effect covers the period from 1954 to 1964, and renewal beyond that period is anticipated. The present long-range policy has permitted the Experiment Station to make much needed physical improvements that have made the work at Reed Ranch easier and more efficient since 1953. The facilities for handling cattle have been rebuilt, living facilities modernized, and some additional fencing has been done. A shelterbelt has been planted north of the farmstead and 80 acres of native hayland are being replanted to alfalfa. The purpose of this publication is to acquaint citizens of South Dakota with research at Reed Ranch. It summarizes past and present experimentation and outlines plans for the future. This ranch is unique as a substation in that it was provided and is maintained to obtain information concerning chronic selenium poisoning or “alkali disease” in range cattle

Preconditioning Feeder Calves

Each year more than million quality feeder calves are sold in South Dakota. These sales contribute significantly to agricultural income in the state, the sale of cattle and calves comprising about 50% of the total. Under the leadership of the South Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) and the South Dakota Extension Service, an organized, certified feeder calf preconditioning program has been initiated and is available as an optional management/marketing tool for South Dakota cow-calf producers. The program is designed to assure the highest standards of quality, health and performance once South Dakota feeder calves reach the feedlot

Calculating Optimum Daily Gain for Wintering Replacement Beef Heifers

Research has demonstrated that weight of the yearling heifer is an important factor affecting puberty and initiation of the reproductive cycle. Work at several institutions including South Dakota State has demonstrated that rate of gain from weaning to start of the breeding season influences the proportion of heifers that settle. The objective of this project was to provide the producer with an easy way of calculating this desired rate of growth