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Green aphid with red eyes and cornicles with black tips.

Large Pea Aphids Detected in South Dakota Alfalfa

Pea aphids are a common pest of alfalfa in South Dakota, and large populations have been detected again in 2026. When large populations are present, their feeding can cause the alfalfa fields to take on a “golden” color.

Six people smile wearing medals and holding first-place award plaques

SD teams win at national range, homesite judging contest

June 05, 2026

Two South Dakota teams won first place in the 4-H Range and Homesite categories at the 2026 National Land, Range and Homesite judging contest.

A group of people smiles underneath a huge Jackalope statue

2026 Energize conference touts benefits of youth staying in SD

June 09, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension hosted a successful 2026 Energize conference in Wall with 144 attendees.

Series of Snapchat screenshots demonstrating the application of a custom community lens for Watertown Racoon days.

Considering Snapchat for your community? Potential benefits, challenges, and questions to ask.

Snapchat is a widely used social platform, particularly for teens through those in their 30s. For communities hoping to engage students, young families, visitors, or early-career workers, this audience reach may be attractive.

Three smart phones showing the Bids, Maps, and Charts tools in the Basis Report app.

Basis Report Mobile App

The Basis Report mobile app brings the power of the SDSU Basis Report web tool directly to smart phones or tablets, giving producers real-time grain basis bids from elevators across South Dakota.

Tulip plant with ice crystals on foliage due to frost.

Frost and Freeze Impacts on Plants

Farmers and gardeners often use the terms frost and freeze interchangeably, but the two are not the same. Understanding these differences, along with the ways frost and freeze impact spring planting, can help protect farms and gardens.

Multiple weed species growing in a grassy area.

Noxious Weeds Should Be Closely Monitored for Management

Pasture, rangelands and rights-of-way are starting to turn yellow, purple, or even a mix of both due to rapid growth of noxious weeds. Now is the time to implement management tactics to ensure the weeds do not outcompete desirable vegetation and invade adjacent land.

Collection of insects in a canvas sweep net.

Pea Aphid Alert: Forecasted temperatures could result in rapid population increases

The temperatures during the last week and the forecasted temperatures for next week will potentially encourage rapid pea aphid population growth. Although many fields have been cut recently, pea aphids can still readily recolonize alfalfa.

Black cattle grazing in a pasture

Conservation, Grazing, and Forage Situation

This report summarizes recent trends in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), harvested hay acreage, and grazing capacity in the United States and South Dakota. The purpose is to give a current picture of conservation enrollment and forage supply.

Three smart phones showing the Prices, Trades, and Crops tools in the Grain Report app.

Grain Report Mobile App

The Grain Report mobile app delivers comprehensive grain market data and analytics for corn, soybean, and wheat producers, traders, and analysts.