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Drip irrigation system set up in a home garden.

Vegetable Gardening During a Drought

In a drought, getting water to plants is a priority. The following management tips will help you efficiently use water and maximize other gardening practices to achieve a healthy and productive garden.

Series of trophies on display at a 4-H contest.

South Dakota 4-H Missed Deadline Agreement

Form for missed deadlines for State 4-H Events

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

X-Ray Scanning Confirms Soil Health Benefits from Conservation Practices

Summary report of X-ray scanning confirms soil health benefits from conservation practices.

A sprawling, planted field with young crops emerging

Fall Cover Crops Boost Soil Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Which Can Lead To Reduced Inputs

Fall cover crops provide multiple benefits to producers. These benefits include pathogen and pest protection, drought protection, weed control, reduced soil erosion, nutrient acquisition and retention, increased soil organic matter, and conservation of soil water by improvement of soil structure that increases infiltration and water holding capacity.

A small herd of cattle gathered around a pond on an open range.

SDSU Extension Aids Producers in Protecting Livestock Through Water Testing Service

May 27, 2022

SDSU Extension is offering an on-site livestock water testing service at all SDSU Extension regional centers and several county offices throughout the state.

Group of farmers and ranchers attending a drought meeting.

SDSU Extension to Host Drought Management Meetings

April 29, 2022

SDSU Extension will host drought management meetings across South Dakota May 10-12.

A sprawling, planted field with young crops emerging

Crop Rotation in Farm Management 

Crop rotation has long been considered an important farm practice. In 2013 producers had to stray from their well thought out crop rotations when the winter wheat crop in South Dakota failed.

Green winter wheat field

Crop Hour

SDSU Extension will deliver a series of virtual Crop Hour webinars starting January 9 through March 7, 2024, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CST.

A heavily tilled field showing signs of severe topsoil loss due to erosion. Next to it, there is a no-till field with no noticeable signs of erosion.

Multiple Rounds of Severe Weather Bring Heavy Rainfall, High Winds, and Soil Erosion

A combination of tillage, no residue, and lack of crop canopy can lead to severe erosion and topsoil loss in the face of extreme weather patterns in the spring. The most effective strategy for producers to adapt to these extreme events is to improve soil health.

NOAA climate map with preciptation outlook as of July 12, 2020. Most of South Dakota is predicted to have average to above average precipitation.

Late Summer 2020 Climate Outlook

Drought concerns in South Dakota may be relieved later this summer, according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal outlook released this week.