Beef cattle out at pasture at Cottonwood Field Station

SDSU Extension

Latest Recommendations

two young males with their show goats at a competition

State Fair

View schedules, resources and results for the 2026 South Dakota State Fair taking place September 2-7 in Huron, South Dakota.

High tunnel covered with shade cloth with larkspurs growing in it.

Heat and Drought Effects on Cut Flower Production

Climate factors, such as drought and high temperatures, continue to pose serious challenges for specialty crop production, including cut flowers. With these challenges, farms need to take a hard look at both their business strategies and production decisions.

Microscope analyzing a slide.

How the Veterinary Lab Diagnoses Anthrax in a Beef Herd

Anthrax is a serious disease of cattle that pops up somewhere almost every year in South Dakota. It’s caused by a bacteria that survives as a very tough spore form in the soil. Knowing whether a death on pasture has been caused by anthrax is important for several reasons.

Frozen meat hopper at the front of the South Dakota State University meat counter.

Freezer Beef: What cuts are available?

Before committing to buying beef in bulk, it is important to familiarize yourself with available cutting options to make the most of your investment. Learn some important tips and considerations for making cutting instruction decisions.

Two young women having a discussion while walking on an indoor track above an basketball facility.

Making the Most of the Busy Season: How Parents Can Stay Active During Kids' Activities

If your child participates in sports, music, or other activities, chances are you spend a lot of time waiting. Finding opportunities to be active during your child's activities can help you fit your own physical activity into a busy schedule.

Entrance to the Bronx Park Community Garden.

Starting a Community Garden

Community gardens or farms can support the overall well-being of the people in your region. Starting or participating in a community garden can be a great opportunity to learn new skills, grow food, and cultivate community!

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.

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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 2026 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 36th 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

Overhead view of State Fair 4-H exhibits
Sep 02

State Fair

The 2026 South Dakota State Fair will take place Wednesday, September 2, through Monday, September 7, at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron, South Dakota.

Young woman holding an older woman’s hands.
Sep 08

Chronic Disease Toolkit Workshop @ Sioux Falls

SDSU Extension will host a six-week Chronic Disease Toolkit Workshop from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. CDT every Tuesday from September 8 to October 13 at Active Generations - East Campus (5500 E Active Generations Place, Sioux Falls, SD 57110).

Aerial view of the SDSU Southeast Research Farm.
Sep 10

Southeast Research Farm Fall Field Day

SDSU Extension, the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU and the Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Corporation will host the Southeast Research Farm fall field day on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT.

Group of children eating fresh vegetables
Sep 14

South Dakota Crunch Off

The South Dakota Crunch Off is an annual statewide celebration of local foods and farm-to-school efforts.

Cut flower field at the SDSU Specialty Crop Research Field
Sep 15

Specialty Crop Field Day

SDSU Extension welcomes the community to the 2026 Specialty Crop Field Day on Tuesday, September 15, from 4:30 to 8:00 PM at the SDSU Specialty Crop Research Field, South (86CG+4C, Brookings, SD 57006).

Young physical therapist walking with an older adult at an indoor track.
Oct 01

Fall into Fitness

Throughout the month of October, SDSU Extension is challenging South Dakotans to soak in the gorgeous colors of our state and make physical activity a top priority.