Skip to main content

Search

A man kneels next to a creek with testing equipment spread in front of him

SDSU Extension hopes to empower South Dakotans through water use survey

March 18, 2025

Sushant Mehan wants to know what South Dakotans think about water. Mehan, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and South Dakota State University Extension Water Resource Engineer Specialist, is researching water in various ways, including how water affects plant growth and what the future of crop production looks like across the Great Plains as moisture levels fluctuate.

People stand in a line in the middle of an open pasture

2025 Rangeland and Soil Days for youth is June 10-11 in Belle Fourche

March 20, 2025

The 41st annual Rangeland and 20th annual Soil Days for youth is June 10-11, 2025, at the Belle Fourche Community Hall.

A lush, green riparian area adjacent to a wetland area.

Permitting Considerations for Riparian Areas

Streams and riparian areas are a valued resource to ranchers, providing, among other things, forage, water, and shelter for livestock. Unfortunately, their relatively low prevalence on the landscape and livestock’s heavy reliance on them has led to widespread degradation to many streams and riparian environments in rangelands worldwide.

Small group of cattle grazing a vast, well-managed rangeland.

Grassland Management School

Landowners learn the art and science of grassland restoration and management through Grassland Management Schools.

Grass buring

Prescribed fire schools for SD landowners scheduled for March, April

March 24, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is partnering with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Great Plains and landowner-led fire cooperatives to host a series of fire training workshops this spring.

Cropland illustrating soil surface cover in instances where there is and is not rye cover crops planted.

Conserving Soil Moisture During Dry Conditions

Dry conditions can create difficulties for agricultural producers. Using soil health principles can improve the resilience of agricultural systems to dry conditions.

A vast, open rangeland with a few patches of weeds.

An identification guide to common Rangeland Insect Pests of South Dakota

The insects listed in this guide can be pests of rangeland in South Dakota. The best approach for preventing these pests from reaching damaging populations involves routine scouting.

Three girls in button down shirts with matching purple scarves smile for the camera

SDSU Extension 4-H members earn high marks at national contests

April 01, 2025

SDSU Extension 4-H members continued to shine at national livestock contests in 2024-2025, including a third-place finish for the hippology team.

2024 SkillsX participants

2025 SkillsX by 4-H conference to explore leadership through board games

April 01, 2025

The 2025 SkillsX by 4-H conference will explore leadership through board games and strategic thinking.

The Pactola Lake reservoir near Rapid City, South Dakota.

Water Quality Standards in South Dakota

Fact sheet to raise awareness among citizens of South Dakota about the Water Quality Standards in the state.