A bull recovering from foot rot, which can be caused when cattle avoiding flies stand in water for long periods.

Fly bites a nuisance that can also lead to foot rot

Chemical controls and pasture rotation are options for control of stable flies

Fly problems are prevalent in some parts of North Dakota this year, North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists warn. Horn, face and stable flies all are irritating to cattle, but stable flies have been particularly bothersome. “They will bite and irritate the animals on the legs and belly, and control of these pests is […] Read more

Hot weather and a stagnant water supply create prime conditions for cyanobacteria to form.

Hot weather increases livestock-poisoning risk

Several advisories were posted in 
North Dakota this month

High temperatures promote the growth of blue-green algae, which can produce harmful toxins. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to livestock, wildlife and people. This month North Dakota Department of Health has posted blue-green algae advisories for four lakes. In addition, several water samples associated with the death of […] Read more


Plant growth can vary greatly. For example, smooth bromegrass is at the 2 1/2-leaf growth stage in North Dakota's McLean County on April 20, 2017, and it is at the 3 1/2-leaf stage a day earlier in Grant County.

Proper timing of pasture turnout critical for drought recovery

Grazing cattle too early can end up reducing your stocking rate

North Dakota’s drought-stressed pastures, especially pastures stressed during the fall of 2017, should receive special care this spring to help them recover from the drought, North Dakota State University Extension Service grazing experts advise. “It is critical that these pastures are given adequate time to recover,” says Miranda Meehan, livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Grazing too […] Read more

Test the quality of the water in ponds and other water sources before turning livestock out to pasture this year.

Testing livestock water quality critical during drought

Dry conditions in areas of North Dakota raising level of concern

Drought conditions can compromise water quality in ponds and dugouts, causing elevated levels of salts, minerals and bacteria. “Because the majority of the state is experiencing some level of drought, we recommend that livestock producers test water quality prior to livestock turnout,” North Dakota State University Extension Service livestock environmental stewardship specialist Miranda Meehan says. […] Read more


red angus bulls in a pen

Revising the bull pen

Each year, the Dickinson Research Extension Center reviews the bulls from the previous year to cut back on what bulls need to be overwintered. Because the bulls are bought based on their ability to transmit the right genes into the cow herd, their expected progeny difference (EPD) values already have stood the evaluation tests of when they were purchased. […] Read more