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A group of green plants with white seed heads amongst green grass.

Avoid Noxious Weeds When Haying Right-Of-Way Ditches

After June 15 or July 10 (dependent on location), right-of-way ditches can be mowed or hayed as announced by the South Dakota Department of Transportation. While there is a demand for grass hay, care should be taken when haying right-of-way ditches.

Cream colored moth with a dark brown band in the middle of its body.

To Avoid Loss of Viable Seeds This Year, Keep an Eye Out for Banded Sunflower Moths in Sunflower

Banded sunflower moths are active in South Dakota, which means it is time to start scouting sunflowers for their eggs. The caterpillars of banded sunflower moths are capable of reducing yields and oil content by feeding on the developing florets and tunneling into developing seeds.

Red-brown colored weevil with bent antennae originating on the elongated mouthparts.

Start Scouting Your Sunflower Fields for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Presence

Red sunflower seed weevil adults have been detected in South Dakota. Current recommendations for management in both confection and oilseed sunflower is to begin treatment when the majority of the field has reached the R5.4 growth stage, but applications done between R5.1 and R5.4 can still provide yield protection.

Wet Corn: Storage and Late Harvest Options

With a very challenging harvest in many parts of south and southeastern South Dakota this year, farmers were faced with difficult decisions. Wet, unfrozen ground in many areas and high grain moisture forced many farmers had to make a decision: harvest the wet grain, or let it stand in the field.