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Plants or Crops

All Plants or Crops Content

Road ditch near a crop field with noticeable soil deposited from wind erosion.

How to Maintain Soil Health During Dry Growing Conditions

Adopting soil health practices can help to reduce the loss of valuable topsoil by wind erosion during droughts. Learn how to manage your fields now or in the future to maintain soil health during periods of dry times.

Drought-stressed cornfield.

Agronomic Considerations During Drought

Despite technological advances, weather factors still play a major role in crop production, especially during dry times. Making smart agronomic decisions can prevent a drought situation from getting worse.

Corn emerging in a no-till field in late spring.

Late-Spring Frost Damage to Corn and Soybeans

Early planting may increase yield potential in some years, but it also puts crops at risk for damage caused by early-season or late spring low temperatures.

various white charts and bar graphs on a blue background

Grain Storage Calculator

An Excel based spreadsheet for corn, soybean, spring and winter wheat producers.

Three bright red and green apples ready for harvest

Brookings Master Gardener donating 30 apple trees to local youth

May 19, 2026

A Brookings-area Master Gardener is donating 30 apple trees to local youth for the sixth annual Fruitful Children Project.

Red fescue, a red colored grass, in a meadow in the Black Hills National Forest.

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), A New Grass in the Black Hills: Friend or Foe?

Red fescue (Festuca rubra), a cool-season, dominate rhizomatous grass, has started showing up on disturbed ground near meadows and forests. While it is not a state noxious weed yet, its spread has raised questions from producers.

Farm employee inspecting a piece of heavy machinery.

Safety & Training

Covering the range from animal handling to equipment safety, including training and certification to keep producers and their workforce productive.

Wheat field that is turning yellow due to mite infestation.

Brown Wheat Mites Detected in South Dakota Wheat

Brown wheat mite infestations have been detected in South Dakota wheat. Typically, infestations are more commonly observed in fields experiencing drought stress, which is currently most of the state

corn field with sunrise in the background

Corn Hybrid Trial Results

In 2025, corn hybrid and conventional corn hybrid trials were conducted at different locations throughout South Dakota.

Green wheat plants with some cut just above the soil surface.

Army Cutworms Causing Issues in South Dakota Wheat

Army cutworm caterpillars are active in South Dakota wheat fields. This activity is only going to increase with the forecasted temperatures.