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Redcedar trees in grasslands by the river
Sep 17

Woody Encroachment Field Tour @ Oacoma

SDSU Extension and its partners will host a field tour near Oacoma on September 17 at 5:30 p.m to discuss woody encroachment treatment options.

Redcedar trees in a pasture
Aug 12

Woody Encroachment Field Tour @ Mitchell

SDSU Extension and its partners will host a field tour near Mitchell on August 12 at 5:30 p.m to discuss woody encroachment treatment options.

Producers surveying a rangeland site.

Natural Resources & Conservation

South Dakota is home to many unique land, water and wildlife resources. Our experts and partners offer research-based information through to help people enjoy, preserve and profit from these natural resources.

A field of flowering alfalfa.

Testing Forages for Nitrates

Free nitrate testing is available at various locations across the state. Nitrate testing strips are used to provide a semi-quantitative value of nitrate levels in forages. It allows producers to make decisions based on the presence or absence of nitrates and appropriate timing for cutting.

Garden tour taking place at McCrory Gardens
Jul 01

2026 South Dakota's Greatest Gardens Contest

SDSU Extension is hosting a contest in search of South Dakota's Greatest Gardens. The contest will last from July 1 through August 23.

Mother and daughter reviewing paperwork at kitchen table.

Replacing Legal and Financial Documents in South Dakota

Fact sheet covering various document types that may be lost, destroyed, or stolen and provides sources for information to replace them.

Dense swarm of mosquitoes in the evening sky

West Nile Virus Update: July 2, 2026

On June 15, 2026, the South Dakota Department of Health released a press release that the first West Nile Virus positive pool of mosquitos was detected in Brown County. Although much of the state is still experiencing drought, recent heavy rains will promote already active mosquito populations.

Nearly microscopic elongate organism.

Springtails Are Active in South Dakota

Recent reports of seemingly millions of very small insects moving around on driveways and around homes was the result of a springtail population boom. Springtails typically become a nuisance during drought conditions or saturating rains.

Three ribeye steaks on a cutting board.

Meat

SDSU Extension provides meat resources for producers, processors and consumers.

Small shiny fly larvae with black heads on a brown plant root.

Fungus Gnats Affecting Soybean Emergence

We have recently received a report of a maggot attacking soybean seedlings. During most years, we would immediately expect this to be a case of seedcorn maggots, but it was fungus gnat larvae.