A group of weaned calves

SDSU Extension

The 5 R’s of Precision Agriculture

Tablet computer displaying precision planting data.
Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Precision agriculture is a management strategy that uses cutting-edge technologies and tools to gather, process and analyze information to enhance farm assessment and provide optimized agricultural input applications, considering crop and soil needs for improving productivity. Precision agriculture technologies are intended to help farmers make more efficient use of crop inputs by following the so-called 5 R’s of Precision agriculture. 

Learn about the 5 R's

Latest Recommendations

small business owner talking to a group of people

Leadership for Today - Effective Group Communication

Within a given day, human beings rely on the ability to communicate as a means of transferring information. Whether we speak, listen, write notes or letters, email, or text message, the process of communicating thoughts, ideas, and feelings is something we find to be important but typically give little thought to.

A roasted turkey in a tinfoil roasting pan.

Preparing Turkey for the Holidays

The holidays often involve preparing turkey. Planning ahead to safely prepare and roast a turkey will relieve some of the cooking stress associated with the holidays. Safe food handling is important for the health of you and your family.

small water channel next to green grass

Saturated Buffer for South Dakota

Saturated buffer fact sheet for producers, tile drainage contractors, conservation professionals, other ag professionals.

close up of black cow and the words cattle HQ

Estate and Transition Planning

In this episode of Cattle HQ, join Kiernan Brandt and Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists as they talk with Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialists about the importance of preparing an estate or transition plan.

teacher with a small group of children learning at a table

Growing Active Readers

These lessons and activities bring together evidence-based environmental and behavioral changes to promote improved long-term health outcomes.

Young entrepreneur meeting with community members.

Connections: An Overlooked Factor in Startup Success

If you are considering starting a business, your community network will be one of your most-important tools. Learn some expert tips for connecting your business with your community today.

Featured Programs

Three canning jars filled with cucumber slices.

South Dakota Cottage Home Processing Food Safety

The Cottage Home Processing Food Safety course serves as the approved food safety training for HB1322.

A rancher inspecting a sample of alflafa in an open range.

Agriculture Behavioral Health Voucher Program

The voucher program provides funding for free mental health counseling services to farm families.

Group of students eating lunch at school

Farm to School

Farm to school provides an opportunity for youth in early childcare, educational settings, after-school programs and other settings to experience local foods.

Further Reading

sun rising over South Dakota field

South Dakota Pest Management Guides

The South Dakota Pest Management guides are now available for free. The guides offer recommendations for controlling weeds, insects, and diseases in a variety of South Dakota crops.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

South Dakota Agricultural Land Market Trends

The 2022 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 32nd annual survey of agricultural land values and cash rental rates by land use and quality in different regions of South Dakota.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

Fertilizer Recommendation Guide

SDSU Extension fertilizer recommendations are based on field research in South Dakota and neighboring states.

A low-gradient prairie river that is very meandering.

Understanding Western South Dakota Prairie Streams

This document provides information and guidance for landowners and land managers in western South Dakota who are managing small intermittent streams.

Upcoming Events

A group of red and white calves grazing in a field of switchgrass.
Dec 02

Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit Conference and Southeast Research Farm Annual Meeting

SDSU Extension will host Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit Conference and the Southeast Research Farm Annual Meeting, Dec. 2, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. at the NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Complex Community Center (800 Archery Lane, Yankton, SD).

Garden at the SDSU Specialty Crop Research Field-South
Dec 06

Garden Hour Webinar

SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months.

Several red angus cattle feeding at a feed bunk.
Dec 07

Environmental Training for CAFOs - December

SDSU Extension will host an environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on December 7 at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron (100 Fourth St. S.W. in Huron, 57350).

A family farm with the sun setting in the background.
Dec 07

Sustaining the Legacy @ Rapid City

Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on December 7, 14 and 21 at Best Western Ramkota (2111 North LaCrosse Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701).