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Teacher pouring a small amount of seed into a student's hand to construct a tiny greenhouse.

Plant the Seed

In this Grow Getters lesson, students will learn to identify the parts of a seed and the growth and development of a seed to a plant.

A father, mother and daughter walking in a field in the countryside.

Talking With Teens and Youth During Challenging Times

Youth are regularly faced with uncertain situations, disappointments and potential mental health challenges. It is important for caring adults in their life to be able to know how to talk to them during these times.

Managing Cucumber Beetles

Two cucumber beetle species occur in South Dakota; the striped cucumber beetle and the spotted cucumber beetle (also known as the southern corn rootworm).

Three photos of blister beetles. The first is a black colored blister beetle on a purple flower. The second is a gray colored blister beetle on yellow flowers. The third is an orange-brown colored blister beetle feeding on a green leaf.

Check Alfalfa for Blister Beetle Activity

Blister beetles are becoming more common as we progress through the growing season. Recently, there have been multiple reports of blister beetles showing up in alfalfa fields.

Black caterpillar feeding on green soybean leaf.

Start Scouting Fields for Thistle Caterpillar Activity

Many of our summer insect pests overwinter in the Southern U.S. and rely on wind currents to travel north in the spring and summer. The thistle caterpillar is one of those pests.

Green sunflower leaves with two snails present on them.

Snails Observed in South Dakota Sunflower

Last week we received reports of snail populations causing issues in South Dakota sunflower fields. Snails are normally not an issue in South Dakota crops but like their slug relatives, they can pose a threat to crops when field conditions are just right.

Green and yellow grasshopper resting on a head of wheat.

Grasshoppers Are Causing Concerns in Close-to-Harvest Winter Wheat

During the end of last week, we received reports of grasshoppers feeding on winter wheat that was close to being ready to harvest. One of the questions with the report was, “What insecticide can be sprayed that won’t delay harvest?”

A mostly green corn leaf that is in brown to yellow markings caused by southern rust.

Is a Fungicide Applied at Tasseling Profitable in Corn?

Corn is currently at tasseling/silking across the state. This is usually the growth stage when a fungicide is applied to control fungal diseases.

Small black fly on pale skin.

Monitor Livestock, Pets and Yourself for Eye Gnat Activity

While being outside this week, I noticed a lot of small gnats flying around my legs and really bothering my dogs. I caught a few and identified them as eye gnats. Although this pest is considered a nuisance in most cases, it is capable of transmitting diseases and pathogens.

NOAA climate map with preciptation outlook as of July 12, 2020. Most of South Dakota is predicted to have average to above average precipitation.

Late Summer 2020 Climate Outlook

Drought concerns in South Dakota may be relieved later this summer, according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal outlook released this week.