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All Plants or Crops Content

Multiple grasshoppers feeding on a corn ear.

Grasshopper Populations Continue to Cause Issues in South Dakota

Recent reports of crop loss along field edges indicate that grasshopper populations in some areas of South Dakota are well above threshold. Unfortunately, crops are often the target of these moving populations.

A soybean leaf infested with numerous soybean aphids.

Soybean Aphids Exceeding Thresholds in Some Parts of South Dakota

There have been a few fields this week that were infested with soybean aphids that are getting closer to threshold. We have also received reports of insecticides being applied to manage soybean aphids in South Dakota.

Green plant leaf with several small, black beetles on it.

SDSU Extension welcomes new plant pathologist

August 12, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Cody Molnar as a new Horticulture Plant Pathology Field Specialist.

Organic cabbage and sweet corn plants at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm.

SDSU Extension welcomes new specialty crop expert

August 12, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Nick Volesky as a new Horticulture and Specialty Crop Field Specialist.

Instructor leading a proctored exam in an agriculture classroom.

South Dakota Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Testing

New commercial pesticide applicators and those that have allowed their licenses to lapse must pass commercial pesticide applicator exams to receive certification. Learn about some some helpful resources, contacts, and tips to help you be successful in your certification testing.

Three chokecherry trees exhibiting various x-disease symptoms on their foliage.

X-Disease in Chokecherries

X-disease is the name given to a set of diseases caused by a strain of the bacteria “Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni” that primarily affects stone fruits. Infected plants will typically display yellowing or reddening of their leaves by mid summer.

Weeds growing abundantly between rows of soybean in a research plot.

Suspect Herbicide Resistance in Your Fields? SDSU Can Help!

Submission form to screen weeds for herbicide resistance in South Dakota.

Farmer viewing precision seed application data on a tablet.

Cybersecurity Planning: Securing the Future

With reliance on digital technologies, precision agriculture requires securing data and implementing key strategies to safeguard digital assets and maintain operational integrity and confidentiality.

Circular holes in a green corn leaf. The holes are in a straight line.

European Corn Borer Caterpillars Infesting Conventional Corn in South Dakota

European corn borer caterpillars have been observed in conventional corn at several South Dakota locations. Indicators for the presence of European corn borer caterpillars in corn are a line of straight holes in the upper leaves that is often referred to as "shot-hole injury."

True armyworm caterpillar on a corn leaf.

Reports of Pyrethroid Failures for True Armyworm Caterpillar Management

True armyworm caterpillars reached thresholds in oats and wheat in many areas of South Dakota recently. Management efforts to reduce populations had varying levels of success, with SDSU Extension receiving numerous reports of pyrethroid insecticide failures.