Small Grains

All Small Grains Content

Green aphid with black cornicles and black patterns on legs.

Aphid Populations Continue To Increase in Wheat

English grain aphid populations are continuing to increase in wheat. With increasing pressure, it is important to scout wheat fields to ensure that the populations do not cause yield loss.

Bird cherry oat aphids, English grain aphids, Greenbugs.

Don’t Forget To Scout for Aphids in Wheat

Aphids are present in South Dakota wheat fields, and that means it’s time to start scouting.

Fusarium Risk Tool map for May 29, 2025. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Fusarium Head Blight Update: May 29, 2025

Fusarium head blight, also known as scab, is a fungal disease that infects wheat heads during flowering. Recent weather conditions across South Dakota have provided the environment needed for Fusarium head blight to begin infection.

Wheat growing in a field west of Martin, South Dakota.

Optimizing Wheat Success for 2025

With spring and warmer temperatures arriving in South Dakota, now is the ideal time to start planning your wheat crop for the upcoming growing season.

Feeding Damaged Wheat to Cattle

Feeding damaged wheat to livestock is one way to salvage value from the crop. Wheat can work well in cattle diets with some limitations.

Field of mixed cover crops containing oats.

Cover Crop Considerations for 2020

Producers across South Dakota are harvesting small grains. These crops provide an excellent window for adding a cover crop into your rotation.

Green cereal rye crop growing throughout a harvested corn field.

Thinking Cover Crops? Winter Rye Between Corn and Soybean

Although the 2021 growing season in has been impacted by widespread drought and record-high temperatures, recent rain events have brought planting cover crops back into the conversation.

Cover crops planted in a harvested oat field.

Cover Crops After Small Grains

In last few years, interest in using cover crops has been increasing tremendously among crop and livestock producers in South Dakota. Growing cover crops following small grain is gaining more attention due to feasibility in cover crops species selection and also the time of the year where cover crops receive longer growing and establishing time than following row crops.

Green blades of rye growing amongst brown corn stalks.

Cereal Rye Cover Crop Between Corn and Soybean

Interest in cover crops has increased in recent times. Cereal rye has been a cover crop of choice among corn and soybean growers in South Dakota due to its superior tolerance to cold temperatures and ability to overwinter in a Northern climate.

Split Application of Nitrogen in Winter Wheat

Adequate N early in the growing season is important to support healthy tillering and to give young plants the best opportunity to survive the sometimes-harsh South Dakota winter