Skip to main content
Panoramic view of the Black Hills in South Dakota

SDSU Extension

Latest Recommendations

Beefing up Herd Health

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with Dr. Russ Daly from South Dakota State University Extension. Dr. Daly shares his expertise on herd health.

Couple reviewing social security forms and information at a laptop computer.

What You Need to Know About Social Security for Retirement Planning

Social Security benefits are money you get from the government when you retire. You get them if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain amount of time.

Tractor with a series of digital icon overlays representing aspects of smart farm technology.

Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Precision Agriculture

Fact sheet on cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Precision Agriculture

A carbon dioxide mosquito trap set up on a lawn.

These mosquitoes are awful! What can I do in my backyard to manage them?

Mosquitoes are out in force across much of South Dakota. While there are steps you can take to prevent bites, there are also chemical and non-chemical options available for backyard mosquito control.

Variety of South Dakota native plants.

Range Roundup: SDSU’s Native Plant Initiative

The SDSU Native Plant Initiative aims to improve our understanding of South Dakota’s native plants, including which ones are best-suited for restoration and production. This information will help guide stakeholders in matching native species to desired restoration outcomes.

Group of kids racing through an obstacle course in their backyard.

Summer Family Fitness Challenge

As the world gears up to watch the pinnacle of athletic performance and international competition this summer, now is a great time to jump into your own family competition to gather essential minutes of physical activity!

Our Impact

As the outreach arm of our state’s land grant, South Dakota State University, SDSU Extension is able to provide farmers, ranchers, agri-business people, communities, families and youth with the research-based information they need to succeed.

    216,854

    Individuals Reached

    $5,909,271.50

    Value of Volunteer Hours

    114,099

    Adult and Youth Educational Contacts

Explore Our Impacts

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 2024 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 34th 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

Bird's eye view of Dakotafest
Aug 20

Dakotafest

Join SDSU Extension for daily informational presentations and ice cream socials during Dakotafest on August 20-22 on the Schlaffman Farm (2300 E Spruce Street, Mitchell, SD) inside booth #216.

Participants of the 2023 Precision Livestock Field School at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station, looking at differences among long-term grazing treatments and precision livestock technology. (Photo courtesy of Hector Menendez)
Jul 29

Cottonwood Field Day: Rangeland Monitoring

SDSU Extension will host a field day on Monday, July 29, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station.

Herd of mixed cattle grazing a vast, open rangeland.
Jul 29

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Wall

SDSU Extension will host a beef quality assurance (BQA) training on Monday, July 29, 2024, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. MT at the Wall Community Center (501 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790).

Presenter talking to a group of field day attendees
Aug 08

Organic Field Day Featuring Vegetables and Field Crops

SDSU Extension will host an Organic Field Day featuring vegetables and field crops on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Southeast Research Farm (29974 University Road, Beresford, SD 57004).