Plants or Crops

All Plants or Crops Content

A sprawling green field of field pea plantings

Field Pea Variety Trial Results

2025 field pea trial results data from different locations in South Dakota.

Person carving a pumpkin on an outdoor picnic bench.

Pumpkin Carving Preservation

Pumpkin carvers can use several techniques to slow or prevent the spread of pathogens and help their jack-o’-lanterns last longer. Learn some expert tips for getting the most out of your pumpkin carvings this fall.

Dried corn growing in a field with visible damage and molding.

Mycotoxins: Should you be concerned?

Environmental stress caused by the weather or damaged crops increases the potential for mold and mycotoxin development. Learn some answers to common questions about mycotoxins and how to manage them.

Northern Corn Rootworms on sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlia flowers.

Corn Rootworm Presence in Cut Flowers

Multiple cut flower farms in Eastern South Dakota have reported corn rootworms on a variety of crops, including sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias. Careful attention to species present, their timing, and the damage they cause can help inform integrated pest management strategies.

Examples of Wild violet, Creeping Bellflower, and Ground Ivy growing on a lawn.

Perennial Weed Control in Lawns and Turf With Fall Herbicide Applications

Early fall is great time to control perennial weeds in lawns, including Wild violet, Creeping Bellflower, Ground Ivy, and Canada Thistle. Learn some expert tips selecting the right herbicides to manage these difficult-to-control weeds this fall.

Producer loading pesticide into a sprayer tank.

SDSU Extension to host training for DOT pest control applicators

October 08, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will host two recertification trainings in October for two categories of pesticide applicators.

Combine harvesting soybean.

Managing Farm Stress During Harvest Season

With unpredictable weather and market prices, harvest season can feel like a whirlwind with incredible pressure. Learn some expert tips for recognizing and managing stress during this critical time of the year for farm families.

Green plant with wide, oval leaves. Pink florets are arranged in a circle at the top of the stem. An orange Monarch butterfly feeds on nectar from one of the florets.

Investigate Pollinators

Lesson about the importance of pollinators and the plants they interact with.

Yellowjacket feeding on decaying produce.

Yellowjackets: Swarming decaying produce or garbage near you

Fall is here, and if you have a garden, fruit trees, or outdoor dumpsters, you are likely to encounter yellowjackets in search of food. Learn some expert tips to avoid getting stung this fall.

Swarm of mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus Update: September 26, 2025

As of September 26, 2025, the South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) reported 74 human cases of West Nile Virus from Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Charles Mix, Clay, Codington, Corson, Douglas, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hutchison, Hyde, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall, Meade, Miner, Minnehaha, Pennington, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Stanley, Union, Walworth, and Yankton counties.