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Bar Graph: South Dakota: Farm numbers by size in acres (1997-2017). For a complete description, contact Alvaro Garcia at 605-688-4940.

Farm Size in South Dakota: Where Are We Heading?

Agriculture is going through some difficult times not only in the United States, but globally as well. Aside from some short-lived price hikes for different products, the overall trend has been to higher costs of production and lower output prices.

Two side-by-side field plots. The left field has corn planted, and the right has soybeans.

Field Studies: Replicated Comparisons vs. Side-by-Side Comparisons

How should a basic study be set up or laid out in the field? One very common approach is to divide a field in half and compare the halves or possibly compare two fields in close proximity and see which variety or practice yields highest. This approach can end with very misleading results because of the variability that exists across a field or fields due to many factors.

two side-by-side fields. The left is labeled "a". It has uniform rows and soil. The right is labeled "b". It has ununiform rows and varying soil quality.

Field Studies: Setting up a Trial

Increasingly, farmers are generating on-farm research data that encompasses a wide-range of practical topics. However, setting up those experiments so that the data is statistically valid is not necessarily common knowledge.

a bare, freshly tilled field awaiting planting.

Field Studies: What do You Mean 5 Bushels Per Acre is Not Significant?

Utilizing sound research results to help make decisions on the farm is a wise business practice. It can be confusing, however, when you see two numbers that are clearly not the same labeled as “not significantly different.”

Two beef heifers standing in a pasture. One is red, the other black and white.

Replacement Heifer Calculator

Excel decision aid to assist producers decide whether to raise or purchase replacement heifers.

A combine harvesting soybeans at dusk.

Field Studies: Blowing the Whistle on Marketing Claims

With technology surrounding today’s culture, data and marketing information has become a key part of life. The best way to determine if a product or practice is effective is to ask for the data and research backing a company’s claims. However, before a producer makes a decision, understanding the data and statistics is key.

Graduation table display with photos, awards, and keepsakes. Courtesy: Matthew Beckler [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Graduation Presents

With graduation season upon us, consider gifting your high school or college graduate with the necessary medical, financial and legal paperwork they're need for the next stage of their lives.

Round hay bales wrapped with net wrap in a stack.

How Will You Make Hay This Year?

With plenty of spring moisture, hay season will be here before you know it. Have you considered the type of binding material you will use to put up hay this year?

Sign posted alongside a rural walking and biking path with a family walking in the distance.

Using Assets to Build Communities

A community asset is anything that a community already has that can be used to improve its quality of life. Learn some expert tips for identifying and leveraging your community's unique assets.

Tractor with a series of digital icon overlays representing aspects of smart farm technology.

The Growing Threat of Cyber Attacks in Agriculture

The with growing digitalization of our food production systems, everyone should take an active role in preventing the threat of cyber-attacks.