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A statue of a dairy cow on a landscaped terrace in front of a long dairy barn.

South Dakota Odor Footprint Tool

Two-part fact sheets explaining the South Dakota Odor Footprint Tool. Part I: Principles and Tools and Part II: Examples.

a person in an orange outfit writing with a pen in a book

Wisdom writing on the road again with SDSU Extension, SD Humanities Council

April 30, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Humanities Council are proud to present the second Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Roadshow, a dynamic event series that encourages older people to explore the wisdom they have gained.

Left: Green soybean plants covered with yellow and brown spots indicative of frogeye leaf spot infection. Right: Green soybean trifoliate that is covered in brown spots.

Deciding on Fungicide Application to Manage Mid-Late Season Soybean Leaf Fungal Diseases

Soybean leaf diseases can develop in some soybean fields to reach yield-reducing levels. The question that growers often ask is whether it is profitable to apply a fungicide to soybeans at the R3/R4 growth stage in South Dakota.

Green plant leaf with several small, black beetles on it.

SDSU Extension welcomes new plant pathologist

August 12, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Cody Molnar as a new Horticulture Plant Pathology Field Specialist.

A soil coring device that has been pounded into ground. Next to it are trimmed samples in rings used to measure soil bulk density.

Bulk Density is an Indicator of Soil Health

Bulk density is a commonly measured soil property that can indicate how compacted a soil is and can be used to calculate the percent pore space in the soil.

A herd of cattle grazing in a snowy pasture.

Nutritional Needs Prior to Calving

Nutrition during late gestation plays a large role on the future calf as well as the dam. It is during the last 60-90 days of gestation, or the pre-calving period, that impacts the calf’s survivability, long-term health and overall production.

Variety of native plants growing in a healthy, well-managed grassland.

Partnerships Are Keys To Preventing Endangered Species Impacts

South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers have significant influence on the management of our state’s natural resources, especially grasslands and the species that inhabit them. These species remind us of the importance of natural resources management for the greater good.

Newborn dairy calf in a clean, well-kept hutch.

Raising Purchased Baby Dairy Calves: Getting off to a Good Start

Making sure calves get off to a good start often comes down to paying close attention to the right details. A good relationship with the source of the calves and veterinarians will help ensure those details are optimally managed.

Drought-stressed corn field.

Drought and Heat Effects on Corn Production

Nearly every season in South Dakota there are periods of hot, dry weather in at least parts of the state. While we have no control over the weather, producers can prepare for drought stress by using proactive practices.

Group of youth participants at rangeland and soil days.

South Dakota 4-H students take 2nd place at National Land & Homesite Judging Contest

June 22, 2023

South Dakota students had a strong showing at the National Land and Homesite Judging Contest last month, including a second-place finish for the Spink County 4-H team.