Natural Resources

All Natural Resources Content

Rolling, drought-stressed pasture with new, green growth emerging in early fall.

Be Careful Grazing the Green this Fall

With fall grazing on the horizon, nearly all of South Dakota is still experiencing drought conditions. Regardless of where your ranch is located, a rancher must be very careful when grazing the fall green-up of cool-season grasses.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

Optimal Design Drainage Rates for Eastern South Dakota

Fact sheet for the optimal design drainage rates for Eastern South Dakota.

Color-coded map of the United States indicating precipitation probability for September through November 2021. Odds are leaning towards drier than average conditions in the three-month fall season.

Fall 2021 Climate and Drought Outlook

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Seasonal Climate Outlook, released Aug. 19, 2021, projects drought conditions to continue through the fall season.

Mosquito resting on a dandelion seed head.

West Nile Virus Update: Aug. 2, 2021

As of Aug. 2, 2021, the South Dakota Department of Health indicated that West-Nile-virus-positive mosquitoes were detected in Brookings, Codington, Hughes, Lincoln and Brown counties in South Dakota.

Color-coded drought monitor map of South Dakota. As of July 27, north-central South Dakota is facing extreme drought, while the rest of the state is under abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. A small portion of the southwest has adequate moisture.

Controlling Grasshoppers, Salvaging Drought Corn Kick Off August Drought Hours

August 04, 2021

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 18% of the state is in Extreme Drought (D3), while another 70% follows as Severe Drought (D2).

Ranchers viewing USDA disaster assistance information on a computer in a home office.

Drought Assistance Questions Answered

Dry conditions persist across the state, and many new questions are being asked regarding the federal assistance programs available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

Smart to Lead SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program

July 06, 2021

South Dakota State University Extension has named Alexander “Sandy” Smart as the new Agriculture and Natural Resources Senior Program Leader.

A hand displaying a welded pipe system joint.

Welded Connections and Shallow Bury Pasture Pipe Offers Alternative to Above Ground Systems

Above-ground systems offer a great amount of flexibility in delivering water and options for changing pasture designs over time or space. However, some producers do not desire to maintain as much flexibility in their systems, and for those individuals more-permanent options exist without going to a deep-bury system.

patch of reed canary grass in pasture

Reed Canary Grass: Possible Prussic Acid & Alkaloid Issues

Prussic acid issues with reed canary grass are poorly understood and may go unrecognized if they occur. This article addresses a little-known but interesting aspect of the biology of reed canary grass.

A black cow grazing on a public grassland.

Grazing and Recreation on South Dakota School and Public Lands

Ryan Brunner, Commissioner of State School and Public Lands, shares some excellent information for those interested in understanding more about grazing and hunting on South Dakota school and public lands.