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Natural Resources

All Natural Resources Content

Color-coded map of the United States showing precipitation outlook for May 2022. The majority of South Dakota is predicted to have above-average precipitation.

May 2022 Drought and Climate Outlook

The May climate outlook favors cooler and wetter than average conditions. It is possible producers could experience some short-term drought relief, with a return to drought or re-intensifying in the mid-summer season.

Group of farmers and ranchers attending a drought meeting.

SDSU Extension to Host Drought Management Meetings

April 29, 2022

SDSU Extension will host drought management meetings across South Dakota May 10-12.

Group of people attending a rangeland workshop.

South Dakota Natural Resource Professionals Range Camp Registration Now Open

April 26, 2022

SDSU Extension, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, is hosting a three-day range camp June 28-30 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

a prescribed burning taking place in a field

SDSU Extension to Offer Landowner Prescribed Fire Workshops

April 26, 2022

SDSU Extension, in partnership with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and others will host a prescribed fire workshop tailored to private landowners June 2-3 at the SDSU Oak Lake Field Station in Astoria.

Cattle grazing rangeland divided by a fence for rotational grazing.

Reading the Range: Range readiness, grazing timing and drought considerations

Grazing timing is key when managing rangelands during a drought. Learn how to determine grazing readiness for different plant communities found throughout pastures and rangelands.

A patch of switchgrass growing at the edge of a field.

Warm-Season Grasses of South Dakota

Fact sheet about warm-season grasses in South Dakota.

Small group of cattle grazing a well-managed grassland area.

Cool-Season Grasses of South Dakota

Fact sheet about cool-season grasses in South Dakota.

Pasture with big bluestream grass and Kentucky bluegrass

Targeted Grazing Strategies for Kentucky Bluegrass Control

Fact sheet for targeted grazing strategies for Kentucky bluegrass control.

A herd of cattle grazing near a pond on an open range.

Ranch Drought Planning

Fact sheet with general drought planning tips from the range and natural resource perspective.

fence post burnt by wild fire

Windy and Divide Fires

General guide to all South Dakota landowners who may be affected by unplanned fire events.