SDSU Extension-Beef Cattle

08/05/2026

Forage Nitrate Drop Boxes are scattered throughout South Dakota Salebarns. Need forage tested use the drop box or call a SDSU Regional Extension Center (Lemmon Regional Center: 605.374-4177). Click on the link below to learn all of the locations. https://extension.sdstate.edu/news/sdsu-extension-provides-additional-drop-boxes-free-nitrate-testing

Drop boxes in Salebarns across South Dakota
Lemmon
Faith
Newell Sheep Yards
St. Onge
Belle Fourche
Philip
Martin
Worthing
Yankton
Mitchell
Kimball
Platte
Burke
Winner
Presho
Mobridge

07/31/2026

Livestock Water Testing at SDSU Extension locations. SDSU Extension provides a free quick test for salts in livestock water. The salt level is a good indicator of livestock suitability. All you need to do is collect the water sample in a clean container of any kind (pop, water, jelly jar etc.) and bring to a office that provides the testing.

JUST becauseit had been good water does NOT mean it is good now.

Look below or go to the link below to learn where free testing is performed.

Aberdeen: 605-626-2870
Alexandria: Penny Speich, 605-239-4542
Belle Fourche: Cindy Riley, 605-892-3371
Brookings: Julie Walker, 605-688-5458
Buffalo: Robin Salverson, 605-375-3412
Burke: Sean Kelly, 605-842-1267
DeSmet: Kathy DeDeyne, 605-854-3851
Flandreau: Whitney Sams, 605-997-2469
Hayti: Krista Haug, 605-783-3656
Hot Springs: Erin McGlumphy/Chrissy Porter, 605-745-5133
Howard: Cheryl Moore/Jillian Calmus, 605-772-4661
Ipswich: Morgan Weisser, 605-426-6971
Lake Andes: Jo Cee Feddersen, 605-487-7666
Lemmon: 605-374-4177
Leola: Jackie Rau, 605-439-3331
Madison: Jen Hayford/Kim Mathieu, 605-256-7603
Martin: Mary Kay Sell, 605-685-6972
McIntosh: Robin Salverson, 605-374-4177
Mitchell: 605-995-7378
Mound City: Robin Salverson, 605-374-4177
Murdo: Naomi Lolley, 605-669-7101
Philip: Paige Hamill, 605-859-2840
Pierre: 605-773-8120
Plankinton: Brandi Shroyer, 605-942-7754
Porcupine: Troy Weston, 605-867-1843
Rapid City: 605-394-1722
Redfield: Michelle Schmitt, 605-472-5006
Salem: Stacy Sieverding, 605-425-2242
Selby: Hannah Schochenmaier, 605-649-1185
Sioux Falls: 605-782-3290
Sisseton: Dustie Richards, 605-698-7627
Timber Lake: Rita Long, 605-865-3652
Vermillion: Rali Sykes, 605-677-7111
Watertown: 605-882-5140
Winner: Sean Kelly, 605-842-1267

SDSU Extension offers on-site livestock water testing services at various locations across the state.

07/16/2026

Bale Grazing... could it work for you? Come learn from Drew Anderson, a rancher that has been implementing bale grazing near Lemmon!

📅 August 4
⏰️ 9:00 to 12:30

Drew and Kayla Anderson are a dynamic duo that try new things, tweek and decide what works and doesn't...

02/22/2026

Leola, South Dakota - Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training.
Date: February 25
Time: 12:30 - 3:00
Location: Municipal Building

Walk ins are WELCOME

Learn more at:

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 25 from 12:30-3:00 p.m. at the Leola Municipal Building (742 Sherman St, Leola, SD 57456)for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

02/21/2026

Britton, South Dakota - Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training
Date: February 24
Location: Marshall County Extension Office
Time: 2:30 - 5:00 PM

Walk ins are WELCOME!

Learn more at

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 24 from 2:30-5:00 p.m. at the SDSU Extension Marshall County Office (909 Main St, Britton, SD 57430) for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

02/19/2026

Faulkton, SD - Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training tomorrow (Friday).
Location: City Hall
Time: 12:30 - 3:00 CT
Walk ins are WELCOME!

Learn more at:

SDSU Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance training on February 20 from 12:30-3:00 p.m. at the Faulkton City Hall (105 8th Ave, Faulkton, SD 57438) for anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.

02/09/2026

Last Call for this weeks Beef Quality Assurance Trainings.

Virtual - Tuesday (February 10) - 2:00 - 4:30 CT
Watertown - Thursday (February 12) - 9:00 to 11:00 CT
Madison - Thursday (February 12) - 2:00 - 4:30 CT
Huron - Friday (February 13) - 1:00 - 3:30 CT

Register at: https://extension.sdstate.edu/events

02/05/2026

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) trainings scheduled in South Dakota.

Register at extension.sdstate.edu/event
Visit the website above to learn more about each training.

Virtual BQA - February 10 at 2:00 PM CT
Watertown BQA - February 12 at 9:00
Madison BQA - February 12 at 2:00
Huron BQA - February 13 at 1:00
Faulkton BQA - February 20 at 12:30
Britton BQA - February 24 at 12:30
Leola BQA - February 25 at 12:30

National BQA on-line training. Available 24/7.
https://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-certification/online-certifications

01/23/2026

Beef Quality Assurance Training:
Mitchell, SD
SDSU Extension Regional Center
Date: Tuesday February 20
Time: 1:00 - 3:30 PM

Registration requested but not required.
https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/beef-quality-assurance-training-mitchell
If there is pending weather (blizzard conditions or extreme cold) contact me to confirm the training is still a go.

01/21/2026

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) trainings scheduled this week in Faulkton, Leola and Britton have been postponed.