Skip to main content

Search

A screenshot of the ag land soil tables tool.

South Dakota Agricultural Land Soil Productivity Tool

The Ag Land Soil Tables Tool allows users to view soil data and download data by county to further understand the soil rating system. It can help appraisers make baseline agricultural land assessments and determine if adjustments from baseline are needed.

Green, teardrop shaped insects on a green leaf that has dark spots. Courtesy: Alton N. Spark Jr., University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.

Low-Level Aphid Populations Present in Wheat

Reports of aphid populations in wheat fields have been slowly increasing in the past week. Most of these populations are well below the economic threshold, but there is a potential for them to increase.

A rancher and RMA agent reviewing insurance paperwork beside a off-road vehicle.

Livestock Risk Protection for Cattle

Price rallies, general price volatility and concern that prices may move lower could lead producers to insure livestock prices. Livestock Risk Protection is an insurance program that covers the single-peril or risk of lower prices on fed cattle and feeder cattle.

Dark colored caterpillar feeding on wheat head.

Scout for True Armyworms in Oats and Wheat

During most years, we start worrying about true armyworm activity in wheat fields in mid-July. However, the strong southerly winds that we experienced during the last two weeks pushed several insect pests north ahead of their normal schedule

A series of three creep feeders placed on an open range. Courtesy: Robin Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Creep Feeding Options: Will it Pay?

Creep-feeding should be evaluated on yearly basis to determine if it will provide production and economic benefits to the operation.

Screenshot of the SDSU Interactive Grain Report Tool.

Interactive Grain Report Tool

The SDSU Extension Interactive Grain Report Tool is a comprehensive, real-time agricultural market intelligence platform providing detailed analysis of U.S. grain markets, biofuels production, fertilizer markets, and transportation infrastructure.

Blueberries inside a plastic storage container.

Have Excess Produce? Freeze It!

Freezing is one of the easiest forms of preserving food. It reduces food waste, saves money and allows you to have quick quality produce on hand at all times. The

Top: Tan caterpillar with dark brown head on corn stalk. Bottom: Black caterpillar with light stripes and yellow-brown head capsule. Caterpillar also has small spines on body segments.

Caterpillars Active in South Dakota Corn Fields

Both European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) are active in corn fields. Sometimes the caterpillar activity and identity of these two species can be confused.

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.

Grain storage bin.

Steps to Prevent Stored Grain Infestations

As wheat harvest is underway it is important to ensure that grain bins are prepared in the best possible manner to prevent insect infestations. There are seven steps that can be taken to help reduce the chances of having infested grain.