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SDSU Extension welcomes new statewide 4-H Livestock Program Manager

September 11, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Sami Nordmann as the new statewide 4-H Livestock Program Manager.

Green leaves emerge from the soil as old brown stems are falling over in a garden covered in brown leaves.

Spring Garden Maintenance

With a little planning and foresight, spring garden preparation can be a manageable task that allows you to enjoy working outside while waiting on warmer days for planting.

Bright green, smooth Hosta leaves, and ferny foliage with bright red peony flowers in a garden.

Dividing Perennials in the Spring

Many beautiful perennials are hardy to South Dakota. Dividing perennials is an easy, inexpensive and reliable way to propagate your favorite perennials and keep them growing for years.

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.

Large patch of grab grass growing on lawn.

Is Crabgrass Taking Over Your Lawn?

Each year homeowners and businesses typically find crabgrass invading their lawns. If you desire a nice lawn, you may not be happy about this. Crabgrass can be a bit tricky to control—especially after it has established itself for the season.

Canning supplies arranged on a kitchen counter.

Canning With Less Sugar

As low and no-added-sugar food products have become increasingly popular, new alternative canning recipes have been created. It is possible to preserve fruits with little or no added sugar, which is great for those who prefer reduced calories.

Native grasses growing in a well-managed rangeland.

Native Species

Native grassland species are a vital part of South Dakota’s livestock industry. Native species tend to be well adapted to the soils and climate of a specific area, and they are typically less susceptible to disease, pests, drought and other ailments.

Yellow wheat with grey colored wheat heads.

Sooty Mold: A Saprophytic Fungi Observed in Wheat

While out crop scouting, sooty mold was observed in some South Dakota wheat fields. Sooty mold is a saprophyte, which can be easily mistaken for a disease caused by plant pathogens.

Testing Dial Pressure Canner Gauges

For accuracy before use, it is recommended that dial gauges get tested each year. Gauges that read high cause under-processing and may result in unsafe food.

Grassy pasture with a small hill of dirt in the foreground. There is green grass at the base of the mound.

Are Ant Mounds in Pastures Bad?

We often receive reports of large ant mounds in a pastures and rangeland. These mounds are the creation of thatching ants, which are common in South Dakota. Although these mounds are often considered a nuisance, the ants may play an important role as predators of potential pest insects.