News

  Welcome to Sustaining the Herd. We’re an ag innovation podcast that explores topics and trends in the livestock industry, with an emphasis on innovation and sustainability. In this episode, you’ll meet our hosts Andrew Wedel and Brock Vetick — as well as learn about some of the topics they’ll be exploring in season one […]

Settje Agri-Services & Engineering to Launch Agriculture Sustainability Podcast Learn about new technology and best management practices in the future of livestock RAYMOND, Neb. (April 17, 2024) – Settje Agri-Services & Engineering has announced the launch of “Sustaining the Herd,” a new ag sustainability and innovation podcast. Hosted by director of innovation and sustainability, Andrew […]

Preparing for a construction project in 2024? The time to initiate the process is now. Expanding an existing livestock facility or establishing a new one requires substantial time and effort even before groundbreaking. Whether you’re looking to augment your current feedlot, venture into beef confinement barns, or enhance feed storage facilities, here are ten crucial considerations

Commencement of Construction for Blackshirt Feeders   Haigler, Neb. (Monday, May 22, 2023) – Excavation equipment began construction on the site of what will become the headquarters for Blackshirt Feeders. Representation from Blackshirt Feeders LP, Settje Agri-Services and Engineering, and supporters were on hand for the occasion. Monday’s ground-breaking aligns with projections put forth to […]

Settje Agri-Services Announces New Office Location RAYMOND, Neb. (April 3, 2023) – Settje Agri-Services & Engineering has announced the expansion of a new office location in Brookings, South Dakota. The office will be located on the South Dakota State Research Campus grounds. The new office location will be staffed by current team member(s) of the […]

Blackshirt Feeders LP and Settje Agri-Services & Engineering Announce Four-Phase Construction Plan of New Cattle Feedlot HAIGLER, Neb. (March 13, 2023) – Blackshirt Feeders LP and Settje Agri-Services & Engineering have confirmed plans for the first four phases of construction of the state-of-the-art, 150,000 head beef cattle feedlot that will operate near Haigler, Nebraska. Recently, […]

Sand separation systems are a common feature of sand-bedded dairies. The mainstream acceptance of sand bedding brought about a refinement of separation systems, which has led to systems that produce bedding quality sand with minimal sand bypass. With potential sand recovery ranging from 90 to 95%+, a well-functioning separation system has the potential to greatly ease manure handling challenges associated with sand. On the other hand, a poorly functioning system—that is, say, a system operating at 75% recovery has the potential to cause significant frustration since the 25% of the sand being bypassed can may potentially settle in pipes, tanks, digesters, etc. Ultimately, the sand recovery should exceed the requirements of the downstream processes. How is your sand separation performing? Sand recovery? Sand cleanliness?

Many considerations go into the design of a beef cattle feedlot: animal welfare, cost, manure management, and space utilization are a handful that may come to mind, among many others – but how often is the pen surface type considered? Most feedlots today consist of open soil-based pens to provide a home for feeder cattle where they can gain weight in a comfortable environment. While this industry-standard design has proven successful for many decades, advances are being made to improve feedlot pen surfaces – roller compacted concrete (RCC) leads the way as a key advancement, providing an improved concrete pen surface with many advantages

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have come to the forefront of conversation over the past few years. We hear about emissions and sustainability almost everywhere these days – from Wall Street to Main Street and Walmart to Washington, D.C. – the conversation is all around us. Putting politics and personal beliefs around climate change aside, one thing that is certainly here to stay (and grow) is society’s interest in caring for the environment. Animal agriculture is committed to doing its part

RAYMOND, Neb. (July 15th, 2022) – For a variety of reasons to be explained, Blackshirt Feeders LP, with the assistance from Settje Agri-Services and Engineering, has recently submitted to Dundy County, a new conditional use permit application. This permit intends to move their previously permitted site in Northcentral Dundy County, to a new site in […]