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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.

High tunnel covered with shade cloth with larkspurs growing in it.

Heat and Drought Effects on Cut Flower Production

Climate factors, such as drought and high temperatures, continue to pose serious challenges for specialty crop production, including cut flowers. With these challenges, farms need to take a hard look at both their business strategies and production decisions.