Farm Management

All Farm Management Content

Two white, newborn lambs under a red heat lamp in a barn.

Sheep Facilities and Moisture

Fact sheet for keeping a barn comfortable and dry to increase lamb survival.

Nutritional Considerations for Flocks During Breeding Season

Optimizing flock nutrition throughout the breeding season can help improve conception rates, lambing percentages and ram longevity.

Drought and Heat Effects on Corn Production

Nearly every season in South Dakota there are periods of hot, dry weather in at least parts of the state. While we have no control over the weather, producers can prepare for drought stress by using proactive practices.

Red combine harvesting corn at an SDSU Extension CPT plot.

Using Data for Better Seed Selection

As harvest wraps up across the region, winter preparation and planning for next year begins. Yield trial results are a key component when making sound seed selection decisions.

Corn Planting Populations: A Deeper Dive

Corn is grown all across South Dakota, and the optimal target population varies depending on location. In a nutshell, there is a lot more to seeding population selection than what meets the eye.

Estimating Corn Emergence With Growing Degree Days: Data from May 7, 2021

With corn planting well underway in South Dakota, the next step is monitoring its emergence. One of the factors that can speed up or delay corn emergence is air temperature.

Map of South Dakota with dot-plots indicating 24-hour soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth for various locations throughout South Dakota. Data from Mesonet.sdstate.edu

Delayed Planting Due to Soil Temperatures?

Although it can be tempting to get a head start with row crops, it's important to be mindful of soil temperatures and the risks associated with planting early.

Spring wheat emerging from a field of corn stubble.

Planting Spring Wheat Into Corn or Milo Residue: Considerations for Scab

Due to current grain prices and other reasons, growers may be considering planting spring wheat into fields that were planted to corn or milo last season. While this type of crop rotation is not generally recommended, economic and logistical challenges sometimes may dictate otherwise.

A map of South Dakota illustrating soil temperatures on April 21, 2020. Temperatures throughout the state range from 41 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information, visit: https://climate.sdstate.edu/archive/maps/

Soil Temperature for Planting Spring Crops

Soil temperature is an important consideration for deciding when to begin planting spring crops. If producers in South Dakota would like a quick reference for soil temperatures in their area, the SD Mesonet network measures soil temperature at several weather stations throughout the state.

Spring wheat growing in a no-till field. Courtesy: USDA NRCS South Dakota, (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Chloride Fertilizers May Be Beneficial in Spring Wheat Production

Chloride, the ionic form of chlorine, although not considered an essential nutrient, has long been observed to be highly beneficial to field crops. Chloride is known to play an essential role in plant development and osmoregulation.