Natural Resources

All Natural Resources Content

An orange plastic hoop placed around a portion of tall grass on a range to provide a measurement.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure: Range Record Keeping

Range record keeping helps detect and demonstrate landscape changes that have a direct impact on your ability to maintain or grow your herd.

an image of outdoor weather monitoring equipment in a field

Climate and Weather

View resources to predict, prepare and recover from weather-related events year-round, including the latest drought and flood information.

sun rising over South Dakota field

Agriculture

Both livestock and crops are essential to South Dakota's agricultural industry.

Sunny sky over pasture at the Cottonwood Mesonet station.

SDSU Extension provides education, training for range management

July 16, 2026

As ranchers and cattlemen in the region face drought-related grazing pressures, South Dakota State University Extension and its partners have a bevy of opportunities to help them manage this year and begin planning for 2027.

Nearly microscopic elongate organism.

Springtails Are Active in South Dakota

Recent reports of seemingly millions of very small insects moving around on driveways and around homes was the result of a springtail population boom. Springtails typically become a nuisance during drought conditions or saturating rains.

Dense swarm of mosquitoes in the evening sky

West Nile Virus Update: July 2, 2026

On June 15, 2026, the South Dakota Department of Health released a press release that the first West Nile Virus positive pool of mosquitos was detected in Brown County. Although much of the state is still experiencing drought, recent heavy rains will promote already active mosquito populations.

Producers surveying a rangeland site.

Natural Resources & Conservation

South Dakota is home to many unique land, water and wildlife resources. Our experts and partners offer research-based information through to help people enjoy, preserve and profit from these natural resources.

Redcedar trees in a pasture
Aug 27

Woody Encroachment Field Tour @ Yankton

SDSU Extension and its partners will host a field tour near Yankton on August 27 at 5:30 p.m to discuss woody encroachment treatment options.

Redcedar trees in a pasture
Aug 12

Woody Encroachment Field Tour @ Mitchell

SDSU Extension and its partners will host a field tour near Mitchell on August 12 at 5:30 p.m to discuss woody encroachment treatment options.

Black cattle grazing in a pasture

Conservation, Grazing, and Forage Situation

This report summarizes recent trends in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), harvested hay acreage, and grazing capacity in the United States and South Dakota. The purpose is to give a current picture of conservation enrollment and forage supply.