SDSU Extension

Latest Recommendations

harvested Christmas trees against a fence.

Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree

Christmas tree lots are already beginning to spring up around the state and Thanksgiving marks the start of the Christmas tree season, with more than 30 million trees being sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A brown cow grazing near a frozen creek.

Icebreakers: Winter Water Supply

Cold weather creates a challenge for producers who house their herds in areas where there are limited water resources and available natural water sources may be frozen over.

Hands writing out a holiday budget on a notepad.

Planning for Holiday Expenses on a Tight Budget

The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends sharing good food and gifts. Unfortunately, this time of sharing can create stress for individuals and families who are living on a tight budget. Planning ahead and making decisions about spending will help the holidays be more enjoyable.

Creating a Genetic Roadmap

During this episode Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist visits with Dr. Randi Culbertson, Cow/Calf Extension Specialist and Faculty at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to dig into utilizing genetic resources such as EPDs and Genomics available for cattlemen to create a genetic roadmap for their operations.

Person reviewing and marking up documents with a pen and post-it notes.

Organize this! Why Clear Handwriting Matters for Legal and Financial Documents

When preparing legal and financial documents, it’s essential to write letters and numbers clearly to avoid potential errors. Learn about some commonly confused letters and numbers in handwriting to avoid mix-ups and mistakes in your own records.

Cattle grazing corn residue in late fall.

Why Cropland Grazing Now?

The evidence is consistent: cropland grazing delivers measurable economic returns, proven soil health benefits, and growing adoption in South Dakota.

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

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 2025 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 35th 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

Dec 03

Environmental Training for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

SDSU Extension will host an environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on December 3, 2025 at the Crossroads Convention Center (100 Fourth St. S.W., Huron, SD, 57350).

Ground sprayer parked outside a field at sunset.

Dec 03

2026 Commercial Applicator Training Online Course

SDSU Extension partners with DANR to offer pesticide certification program required for commercial applicators. The 2026 online course will be offered through Traininghouse and will be open from December 3, 2025, through February 28, 2026.

Three generations of a family looking out at a field

Dec 04

International Farm Transition Network - New Tools for the Farm Transition Planning Professional

SDSU Extension and the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) will hold an online training session on December 4 at 12:00 p.m. CST.

Old barn and windmill with the sunset in the background

Dec 04

Sustaining the Legacy @ Winner

Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on December 4, 11 and 18, 2025, at the SDSU Extension Winner Regional Center (325 S. Monroe St., Ste. 125, Winner, SD 57580). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Dec 09

Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit Meeting & Southeast Research Farm Annual Business Meeting

The Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit Meeting will be held on December 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Freeman Academy Arboretum (900 Cedar St., Freeman, SD 57029). The Southeast Research Farm Annual Business Meeting will also occur from 12:45-1:00 p.m.

A row of targets is full of arrows in an outdoor field

Dec 13

4-H Shooting Sports Coaches Training - Archery, Rifle, Pistol @ Brookings

SDSU Extension will host a 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches Training for the archery, rifle and pistol disciplines on Saturday, December 13, from 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Outdoor Adventure Center (2810 22nd Ave South, Brookings, SD, 57006).