Optimal Design Drainage Rates for Eastern South Dakota

Written collaboratively by David Kringen, Chris Hay, Todd Trooien and Govinda Karki

Subsurface drainage is a water management practice that has seen dramatic expansion in South Dakota over the past several years. While drainage can bring about significant agronomic benefits, the installation of pattern drainage (tiling) can represent a significant financial investment to the producer. Therefore, installing a drainage system designed to maximize net returns is the most efficient use of the producer’s resources.

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New digital Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool launches nationwide

April 11, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and project partners are proud to announce the nationwide release of the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST), a decision aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization.

Tractor planting seed in a no-till field.

Conservation Practices Increasing in South Dakota

The recently released Agricultural Census data of 2022 shows that the share of cropland acres under conservation practices has continued to increase in South Dakota.

Row of young crops emerging from a tire rut in compacted soil.

Accounting for Soil Wetness Prior to Conducting Farm Operations to Minimize Compaction

In the spring many agricultural producers are anxious to get into the field and perform tillage, planting, and chemical applications. However, if field operations are done when the soil is too wet, this can lead to soil compaction.