South Dakota: Learn about heat-treated soybeans at Cattlemen’s Education Day

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA), in partnership with South Dakota State University (SDSU), will be hosting Cattlemen’s Education Day on February 19, 2026, in Brookings, S.D. The event brings together industry leaders, educators and cattle producers for a day of learning and connecting.

Attendees will learn about both sides of cattle production from preparing their calves for optimal performance at the rail to understanding how carcasses are graded and processed. Participants will hear from SDSU Extension Feedlot Specialist, Dr. Warren Rusche, about how maturity and yield grades are calculated and the latest carcass trends in the United States.

“We are excited to host the Cattlemen’s Education Day on February 19th on the campus of South Dakota State University,” Rusche said. “We are especially excited to share our most recent research on how we have seen an extra 20-30 pounds in carcass weight by using heat-treated soybeans in finishing diets.”

Each session will provide different strategies to help producers maximize their bottom lines and improve their operation practices. Participants will explore the benefits of soybeans in feeder calf diets, review the latest implant rules and regulations and be updated on the current cattle markets. The event concludes with an open discussion to address practical concerns and industry challenges.

Thanks to the generous support of Merck and South Dakota Soybean Checkoff this day of learning is offered at no cost to attendees, but pre-registration is highly encouraged.

For more information about the event visit sdcattlemen.org, click ‘Events Calendar’ and select ‘Cattlemen’s Education Day’ or contact Ella Stiefvater. 

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA) is a grassroots organization representing members of the beef production industry across the state. The purpose of SDCA is to unify members to work together to protect their industry;  seek solutions to industry problems; provide a unified voice and to build the good will, esteem, and recognition the industry deserves. SDCA is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) which has more than 25,000 individual members and represents more than 175,000 cattle producers and feeders nationwide.

–South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association