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Weeds & Invasive Plants

All Weeds & Invasive Plants Content

an image of a field of soybeans

Soybean Production: Cost-effective pest management practices

Chemicals were one of the most expensive individual costs in soybean production, behind only to seed in the non-land cost category. The average cash-rent soybean production farms incurred a crop chemical cost of $39/ac in 2015, an 88% increase from 2010.

large multi-row sprayer adding chemicals to a field

All Straight Dicamba Products Now Restricted Use in South Dakota

Starting April 30, 2018 all dicamba products that are not a mixture but instead straight dicamba are restricted use in South Dakota. This will mean all applicators will need to keep spray records of use and place of application.

A red, tractor-mounted sprayer with its tank being flushed by a hose connected to a large truck.

Alternatives to Postemergence Dicamba Applications

Cancellations of three dicamba labels on June 6, 2020 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, left many farmers looking for options for effective weed control this summer.

A shlterbelt near a grassland with several volunteer trees growing in it.

Removing Mature Shelterbelts From Grasslands

Under what circumstances would removal of mature shelterbelts be warranted? This is a common question often asked in wildlife and conservation circles.

A red sprayer in a green field with a cloudy sky in the background.

UPDATE: The Environmental Protection Agency Provides Further Guidance Regarding the Previous Suspension of All Sales and Application of Dicamba Products

June 10, 2020

On June 3, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision to vacate the registration of three dicamba products including Xtendimax, Engenia, and FeXapan for over the top use on soybeans.

A red sprayer in a green field with a cloudy sky in the background.

South Dakota Department of Agriculture Suspends All Sales and Application of Dicamba Product

June 08, 2020

On June 3, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision to vacate the registration of three Dicamba products including Xtendimax, Engenia, and FeXapan for over the top use on soybeans.

A thick patch of yellow, flowering leafy spurge plants growing in a pasture.

SDSU Extension Provides Leafy Spurge and Noxious Weed Management Recommendations

May 22, 2020

One of the many challenges producers face each year is weed control. Leafy spurge, in particular, can be difficult to manage.

A collection of empty pesticide and herbicide containers.

Changes in Pesticide Applicator Certification During COVID-19

April 27, 2020

Due to office closures as a result of COVID-19, commercial pesticide applicator testing is currently unavailable at the SDSU Extension Regional Centers and county offices.

Canada thistle growing in a pasture.

Fall Noxious Weed Control

Fall weed control can give the best weed control, but it also can be a poor time. If the noxious weeds were sprayed or clipped earlier this summer, and there is good weed growth now, this would be an excellent time to spray these weeds and get a good kill.

A collection of empty pesticide and herbicide containers.

What to Do With Unusable Home and Garden Pesticides

As a gardener or homeowner, you may be wondering what you can do with your leftover pesticide products (including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides), or maybe you bought a new home and the garage or basement is full of mysterious containers with no labels. If products are stored in garages or other areas with a lot of temperature changes, these products may become entirely unusable. So what to do?