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A large wasp on a pink flower.

Giant Wasps Are Invading My Yard! No, They Still Aren’t Murder Hornets.

Every year we receive multiple reports of giant wasps that seem to invade yards and gardens. These wasps aren’t the same as the so-called "murder hornets," but are actually cicada killer wasps.

Sample USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey output. Orange boundaries mark different soil zones on a satellite photo.

Precision Agriculture and Zone Management

Precision agriculture tools can address the variations in a production system to enhance plant growth and crop yield. Zone management controls the variable rate of inputs for optimal performance within a defined field zone.

Small group of producers in a field where cattle are grazing crop residue.

Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit Conference Set for Dec. 7

November 19, 2021

South Dakota State University Extension and the SDSU Southeast Research Farm will host a seminar for growers interested in soil health, regenerative agriculture and livestock inclusion in these systems.

Orange larvae on discolored soybean stem.

Soybean Gall Midge in South Dakota

Fact sheet about soybean gall midge in South Dakota

Aerial photo of a field revealing crop productivity within a specified management zone.

Creating Management Zones Using Electrical Conductivity

The first step to practicing zone management is to identify the variations that control yield. There are various methods for characterizing soil variations within a field, and among them, electrical conductivity measurement is one of the most-reliable.

A red tractor and seed drill planting in a no-till field.

Project to Study Soil Health Economics in South Dakota

Soil degradation has become one of the most pressing global issues, because of its adverse effects on world food security, environment and quality of life.

Butcher helping a customer select meat in a glass cabinet.

Tips for Purchasing and Preparing Turkey, Ham and Prime Rib

From turkey to prime rib, let’s look at some things to consider before you sink your teeth into your next holiday meal.

Female producer holding a soil core sampling probe in a harvested soybean field.

Fall Soil Sampling

With fertilizer prices on the rise, it’s more important than ever to understand your soil test levels and crop response to applied fertilizers. Fall is a great time to soil sample before freeze up.

Tanks of anhydrous ammonia being pulled to a field for fertilizer application.

Determining an Economically Optimal Nitrogen Rate for Corn in 2022

While we can't know what the prices of corn and nitrogen fertilizer will be next year, it is very important to understand how the level of both prices will influence corn profitability for 2022.

White and red caterpillar feeding within silken hideout on green soybean leaf.

Thistle Caterpillars Observed on Canada Thistle

Although thistle caterpillars are normally first observed in July or August, it is possible for them to appear earlier if weather conditions are favorable. While these caterpillars are generally not present in high numbers, they can cause severe defoliation.