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Natural Resources

All Natural Resources Content

A man inspecting a field with salty soil.

Perennial Solutions for Alkali Areas

Reclaiming marginal lands, especially those considered saline or sodic can be very challenging and may take many years to accomplish. The key to turning around salt or alkali areas in your fields, begins with getting a living root established in the affected area.

A patch of soil with kochia weeds growing throughout.

Temperature and Herbicide Performance

In South Dakota, the spring can come with a wide range of temperature fluctuations. This will affect the performance of burndown herbicides. Depending upon the target weed, type of herbicide and application rate, there will likely be decreased weed control in cooler temperatures.

A farmer watching the sun rise in a bare, unplanted field.

Crop Tolerance to Soil Herbicide Residual

Some herbicides can persist in soil, especially dry soil. Herbicide carryover could be an issue in 2021 across the state depending upon last year’s moisture levels and field conditions.

Color-coded map showing average grazing readiness date for Western Wheatgrass in South Dakota. For assistance reading this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

South Dakota Grazing Readiness Spring Turnout Map

The South Dakota Grazing Readiness Map uses historical climate data to provide livestock producers with a range of spring turnout dates for their location based on grass type.

Herd of black-beef cattle being moved in drought-stressed rangeland.

Trigger Dates: Critical Decisions for Drought Management

Having a drought plan in place ensures that you can overcome the inhibitions surrounding a drought response, the basis of which is figuring out trigger dates.

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

Drought Planning

A drought plan will be an essential component to your overall grazing plan, as it provides guidance in making decisions during critical times when forage may be lacking.

Participants inspecting a rangeland area during the South Dakota Rangeland Days event.

38th Annual Rangeland and 17th Annual Soils Days Set for June 14 and 15 in Murdo

March 28, 2022

Rangeland and Soils Days offer a unique opportunity for youth and adults alike to learn more about South Dakota’s natural resources.

Color-coded map of the United States showing precipitation outlook for April to June 2022.

Drought Concerns Continue With 2022 Spring Climate Outlook

March 23, 2022

The climate outlook for spring 2022 has increased concern for drought in South Dakota, with the March 17 U.S. Drought Monitor showing two-thirds of the state in either moderate or severe drought.

Image of 2-digit HUC boundaries in continental United States. For a complete description of this graphic, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

What is a Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC)?

HUC is the acronym for Hydrologic Unit Code. It is a hierarchical land area classification system that is based on surface hydrologic features in a standard, uniform geographical framework.

Camelina crop growing in a field.

Spring and Winter Camelina in South Dakota

In the semi-arid, western portion of South Dakota, camelina has potential value as a fall-seeded cover crop, providing flexibility in crop rotations for improving soil health.