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One-month precipitation outlook map for September 2020. South Dakota has a 40-50% chance of below-normal precipitation.

September 2020 Climate & Drought Outlook

Summer has its last hurrah the first week of September before we see potential for our state’s first freeze of the fall season, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

Two men walking near a drainage water recycling pond

Online Eastern South Dakota Water Conference set for Oct. 20

December 29, 2021

The theme for this year’s conference is “Ground Truth – Water Resource Management and Remote Sensing.”

Managing Water with Soil Health

If we are seeing so many benefits to drainage and soil health systems, why isn’t everybody doing it? Can we see a win-win-win situation when looking at habitat, agronomy, and water quality in a system?

A sprawling green field of field pea plantings

Production and Utilization of Field Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas in South Dakota

Dry field peas and lentils are high in protein and fiber, have a low glycemic index, are easy to prepare, store well, and are low in cost. Even better they can be produced economically and sustainably in South Dakota as part of diverse no-till crop production systems.

Small group of cattle near a water tank in a rangeland area.

Water Quality

While producers have long acknowledged that access to water makes the difference between a profitable or unsuccessful operation, they are beginning to understand that water quality may be as important as water quantity.

Well-managed grassland area adjacent to a wetland.

Managing Livestock Attractants Near Water

In the event that your pasture includes riparian areas, such as streams, rivers, lakes or ponds, you’ll want to take special care of these habitats. A riparian area is the space immediately adjacent to the shore, where water and land interact.

Two men walking near a drainage water recycling pond

Conservation Drainage Complexities Part 1

How can farmers benefit from conservation drainage? Conservation drainage includes practices such as bioreactors, saturated buffers, wetlands and more.

Lone sheep grazing drought-stressed rangeland.

Drought Considerations for Grazing Range Flocks

Having a drought plan in place to best manage pastures is critical in being prepared for next year’s grazing season. Make decisions that will manage risk and promote both flock and financial longevity.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation: Increased Efficiency for Irrigation and Nutrient Delivery

Subsurface drip irrigation maintenance, lifespan, and cost, the variables that can impact subsurface drip irrigation design.

Constructed Wetlands: Engineering Nature’s Filter

How do constructed wetlands emulate the natural process of a wetland? In what ways do the different designs of a constructed wetland have to meet the needs of the area?