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A small black bug with tan margins on the wings. This insect is resting on a grass seed head.

Drought Conditions Magnifying Impact of Black Grass Bugs

With much of South Dakota continuing to experience moderate-to-extreme drought conditions, black grass bugs could become a concern in some areas. Large populations of black grass bugs can cause severe damage to pasture.

A stand of field peas mixed with small grains being grown for forage.

Peas Offer Options in 2020

Current events have made decisions around crop options very difficult this spring. Field peas are an option that may have a fit for some producers.

A small black bug with tan margins on the wings. This insect is resting on a blade of grass that is green with white spots.

Black Grass Bug Activity Expected in Coming Weeks

Spring green-up is the time to be watching for black grass bug activity. Large populations of this early-season pest can cause severe damage to pasture (up to 90% forage reduction) and infest the edges of wheat fields.

Man in wheelchair.

Home Is Where Your Life Is Stable

When a tragic accident put Nick Remund in a wheelchair at age 30, his family was tasked with building a new accessible home to accommodate his new life. Learn about the challenges and victories they had during their journey.

Home health care specialist visiting with an older female adult.

Long-Term Care Planning

From assisted living to home health, learn some important tips for deciding which long-term care options best fit the needs and budget of your loved ones in their later years.

several small green leaves

Soybean Pests: Bean Leaf Beetles and Bean Pod Mottle Virus

With the number of bean leaf beetle observations in soybean fields during 2016, the need for monitoring soybean for Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) development increases. Bean pod mottle virus was first identified in South Dakota in 1998, and is recognized as a very economically important disease in soybean due to the potential for it to cause devastating losses to soybean yields.

A group of people rides on a trailer through the Northeast Research Farm

Summer field days showcase South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station sites

August 25, 2023

Each summer, the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station system showcases its research stations with field days. The days include guided tours of each facility and presentations from SDSU and SDSU Extension researchers. Producers, industry professionals and members of the general public can see how winter wheat varieties are tested, or take a trip through a high tunnel.

A small black bug with tan margins on the wings. This insect is resting on a blade of grass that is green with white spots.

Be on the Lookout for Black Grass Bugs

It’s time to begin scouting pasture and wheat for the presence of black grass bugs. Last year, we saw the highest populations in areas of Central and Southwestern South Dakota. If left untreated, black grass bug populations tend to increase year after year.

Oat plants exhibiting crown rust symptoms.

Does Crown Rust in Oats Cause Problems for Livestock?

When wet, cool conditions predominate in the spring, crop producers may have to deal with crown rust in oats. When this crop disease is abundant, questions from livestock producers arise. Could crown rust in oats harm livestock if it’s present on pasture or in hay?

Mother cow feeding in a snow-covered field.

Feeding for the Future: Maternal Protein Intake

Maternal nutrition is extremely important, not only to the cow, but also to its unborn calf, which relies solely on its mother for nutrition. Learn some expert tips for getting your cows and their calves off to a great start.