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Oat leaves covered in orange pustules.

Crown Rust of Oats

Crown rust continues to be the most economically damaging and important fungal diseases of oats in South Dakota. Learn how to recognize and manage it in oat fields this growing season.

Cattle grazing corn residue in late fall.

Why Cropland Grazing Now?

The evidence is consistent: cropland grazing delivers measurable economic returns, proven soil health benefits, and growing adoption in South Dakota.

Rye test plots

Rye Variety Trial Results

2025 Rye Variety Trial Results in South Dakota.

Professional portrait of Julie Brunskill Nelson

SDSU Extension welcomes new mental health field specialist

May 09, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Julie Brunskill Nelson as the new Mental Health Field Specialist.

Group of children eating fresh vegetables

SDSU Extension encourages eating locally produced food with 2025 Crunch Off

September 15, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is excited to promote locally grown foods with the 2025 South Dakota Crunch Off.

A green combine harvesting canola in a field.

Broadleaf Considerations for West River South Dakota Cropping Systems

Selecting the right crop rotation is crucial in West River South Dakota, where water use efficiency is important. Learn some key factors to consider when selecting broadleaf crops for rotations and see what some farmers in the region are already planting.

4-H youth washing a black beef cow in preparation for a fair.

Fair Season Biosecurity

Fairs are a big part of youth livestock programs, but they come with a responsibility to care for animals the right way. With a few extra steps, you’ll be doing your part to keep your animals, your barn, and your community healthy, now and for the seasons to come.

Brown roots with white spots on them. The white spots are SCN cysts that contain eggs. Smaller image shows a broken cyst with eggs coming out of it.

Test Your Soil for the Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) This Spring

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a major soybean pathogen that causes significant yield loss. Fields that were not tested for SCN last year can still be sampled this spring to determine the presence of SCN or SCN population changes if testing was done in the past.

bottom part of a corn plant in soil with half of the roots exposed to show the seed trench (side-wall) compaction.

Planting Into Wet Soils

It is evident that there are high chances of planting into wet soils this spring. This is not a good decision when normal soil conditions appear to be attainable, but this year we may not have a choice.

Young farmer at a table using smart device to review data and plan a customized seed application.

Adoption of Precision Agriculture Practices in South Dakota

Findings from the 2022 Agriculture Census along with a recent regional survey revealed insights into precision agriculture adoption throughout South Dakota, including which technologies are being most widely being adopted.