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Green perennial sowthistle with yellow flowers at top in the foreground with blurred green, soybean plants in the background.

Perennial Sowthistle Management

Perennial sowthistle inhabits roadsides, pastures, rangelands, and croplands. It can be abundant in overgrazed, over-hayed, or over-mowed areas, as there is little desirable vegetation to compete against the weed.

A small green corn plant that has been cut and is laying on the ground.

Scout Corn for Black Cutworm Activity

Black cutworms are a migratory moth that moves into South Dakota during early spring. Although black cutworm caterpillars cause minor corn injury by feeding on leaf tissue, serious injury occurs when feeding results in the cutting of young corn plants.

Plastic bag containing numerous green larvae.

Alfalfa Weevil Populations Rapidly Increasing in Western South Dakota and Starting to Show up in Eastern South Dakota This Week

Recent degree day accumulations for alfalfa weevils in western South Dakota would suggest that alfalfa weevil larvae activity should be wrapping up for the 2025 season. However, recent scouting of alfalfa suggests otherwise.

A black ink pen lain next to small, green and red waterhemp plants with a brown, dirt background.

Waterhemp Has Emerged in South Dakota: Time to prepare for post-emergence management

Waterhemp has started to emerge across South Dakota. While waterhemp plants are small now, recent rain events and forecasted warmer air temperatures are ideal for waterhemp growth.

Crate of harvested green tomatoes in a garden.

How to Handle Those Green Tomatoes

With cooler temperatures and decreased daylength, gardeners may have an abundance of green, unripened tomatoes this fall. Learn some delicious ways to use them in the kitchen along with some expert tips for ripening them!

Purple-brown caterpillar with orange head on a green corn leaf.

Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: May 29, 2025

Based on degree day estimates for common stalk borer caterpillar activity, no scouting in corn fields is necessary at this time.

Green alfalfa weevil larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: May 29, 2025

The lowest calculated degree days in South Dakota indicate that fourth instar larvae should be active, while the highest calculated degree days suggest that pupation is occurring in the field.

Fusarium Risk Tool map for May 29, 2025. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Fusarium Head Blight Update: May 29, 2025

Fusarium head blight, also known as scab, is a fungal disease that infects wheat heads during flowering. Recent weather conditions across South Dakota have provided the environment needed for Fusarium head blight to begin infection.

Green to yellow kochia plants within sixteen, separate black pots filled with brown soil. Green, white, pink and blue marker stakes are within the pots denoting treatments.

Dicamba-Resistant Kochia Can Likely Be Found Across South Dakota

Kochia populations collected across South Dakota have been subjected to an herbicide effectiveness screen, where a treatment of dicamba was applied and some kochia plants exhibited survival and regrowth after treatment.

Poinsettia relatives: Euphorbia horrida, crown of thorns, and Euphorbia polychrome.

The Poinsettia and Its Relatives: Exploring Unique Euphorbia Species

Euphorbias are versatile plants, with species suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. Whether used as decorative houseplants, or as garden perennials, these plants offer a unique aesthetic, and require minimal care.