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.

View of pasture and cropland conditions at the Pierre, SD mesonet station.

Drought Update: Mid-June 2026

According to the June 11, 2026 U.S. Drought Monitor, 53% of South Dakota is currently in drought. These conditions are strongest primarily in the southern half of the state, impacting approximately 623,996 residents, or roughly two-thirds of the state’s population, highlighting the ongoing and expanding impact of drought across South Dakota.

Group of black cattle near a stock dam that’s drying up under drought conditions.
Jun 17

Drought Meeting

SDSU Extension will host drought meetings from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CDT/9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MT on June 17 in Hot Springs, Winner and Yankton.

A group of people listening to a presentation
Oct 07

Eastern South Dakota Water Conference

The Eastern South Dakota Water Conference will be held on Wednesday, October 7, at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center (631 22nd Ave., Brookings, SD 57006).

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.

Plant profiles of purple prairie clover, white prairie clover, and golden prairie clover.

Prairie Clovers of South Dakota

Many of us are familiar with the white clover growing in our lawns or the yellow sweet clover growing in rangelands, but did you know that South Dakota has several native prairie clovers that are beneficial for pollinators, birds, and wildlife?

sun rising over South Dakota field

Agriculture

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

Lake water with abundant blue-green algae throughout.

What is the “a” in Chlorophyll-a?

Have you ever heard the term "chlorophyll a" used in reference to a lake's blue-green algae content? From type "a" to type "f," learn how different types of chlorophyll impact lakes and aquatic environments.

Road ditch near a crop field with noticeable soil deposited from wind erosion.

How to Maintain Soil Health During Dry Growing Conditions

Adopting soil health practices can help to reduce the loss of valuable topsoil by wind erosion during droughts. Learn how to manage your fields now or in the future to maintain soil health during periods of dry times.

Red fescue, a red colored grass, in a meadow in the Black Hills National Forest.

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), A New Grass in the Black Hills: Friend or Foe?

Red fescue (Festuca rubra), a cool-season, dominate rhizomatous grass, has started showing up on disturbed ground near meadows and forests. While it is not a state noxious weed yet, its spread has raised questions from producers.