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Weeds & Invasive Plants

All Weeds & Invasive Plants Content

several small eastern red cedar trees growing in rangeland

‘Baa-d Cedars’ Field Day Examines Goat-Targeted Grazing on Cedars

September 17, 2021

South Dakota State University Extension invites the public to an interactive Eastern Red Cedar Management Field Day to see the impact goats can have in controlling the most widely distributed conifer across eastern North America.

Paul O. Johnson making notes about a field of corn

SDSU Extension to Tackle Weed, Pest and Drought Inquiries at State Fair

August 23, 2021

To address drought concerns, as well as weed and pest inquiries, South Dakota State University Extension will feature two booth locations at the 2021 South Dakota State Fair Sept. 2-6 in Huron.

ALT: Left: Green Plamer amaranth next to a green sunflower. Right: Green plant with green, spiny structure at leaf base.

Palmer Amaranth: Now Is the Time to Scout

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension encourages farmers, ranchers and other landowners to start scouting for Palmer amaranth, a weed that has been rapidly spreading north into the United States and is likely to be glyphosate-resistant.

a patch of green, weedy flowers with white petals and a yellow center

Invasive Garden Plants: Is That a Weed?

While we generally consider invasive plants like crabgrass, dandelions, and purslane as weeds, just about any plant can be considered a weed when it's in the wrong location.

A group of people in a soybean field with white insect nets

SDSU Extension to Offer Integrated Pest Management Field School Online

July 30, 2021

South Dakota State University Extension will kick off its 13th annual Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Field School Aug. 1.

patch of reed canary grass in pasture

Reed Canary Grass: Possible Prussic Acid & Alkaloid Issues

Prussic acid issues with reed canary grass are poorly understood and may go unrecognized if they occur. This article addresses a little-known but interesting aspect of the biology of reed canary grass.

plant with herbicide damaged leaves

Herbicide Damage to Fruits and Vegetables

Each year in early summer, many growers begin to notice distorted leaves on their fruits, vegetables, and crops. Most commonly the cause is a herbicide application to a nearby field.

Rangeland covered with dense thickets of maturing cedar trees.

Cedar Trees and Rangeland Loss

The issue of cedar tree invasion into South Dakota’s rangelands tends to be a regional conversation. There is generally broad agreement among most resource professionals that these trees are in fact changing our landscape in a negative way.

Garden plant surrounded by a layer of wood chip mulch.

Organic Garden Mulches To Conserve Moisture and Prevent Weeds

If you want to reduce time spent in your vegetable and flower gardens watering or pulling weeds, consider mulching the soil surface with an organic material to improve plant health and your enjoyment of the garden.

Young corn seedlings emerging from a spring field.

Watch Closely for Weed Emergence

Cool, dry conditions have slowed weed emergence and growth, but dry conditions also have limited the activation of preemergent chemicals. Given this scenario, fields need to be scouted closely to ensure that weeds do not get away.