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Three color-coded maps indicating no-till, conservation tillage, and conventional tillage percentages in South Dakota. For a complete description, call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

Soil Conservation Practice Adoption Status at the S.D. County Level: 2012–2017

An increasing number of farmers across the state of South Dakota have adopted different soil conservation practices such as no-till, conservation tillage and cover crops. Over time, these practices play significant roles in improving soil health and increasing soil resilience towards extreme weather conditions.

A color-coded map of the United Statees showing the precipitation outlook for August through October 2019. All of South Dakota is light green. Parts of Western South Dakota are a darker green.

Wet Conditions Likely Into Fall Season

Many locations in South Dakota have already received as much precipitation this year as they do in an entire average year. The latest climate outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center shows increased chances of wetter than average conditions to continue into the fall season.

A field of yellow sweet clover in bloom.

Yellow Sweet Clover: Information and Management

Sweet clover is an opportunistic plant that is going to be abundant in pastures and hay fields when growing conditions are favorable, ideally for two consecutive years. Although it can cause problems, it is valuable to wildlife and pollinators and is a nutritious forage source.

Two flies side-by-side. The left fly is a Western horse fly. The right fly is a deer fly.

Horse Flies and Deer Flies Becoming Abundant

The above-average precipitation this year has led to increased numbers of horse flies and deer flies across South Dakota. Widespread flooding and an overall abundance of available water has made conditions perfect for these flies.

A color-coded map of the united states indicating temperature outlook for August 2019. South Dakota is mostly covered in blue.

August 2019 Climate Outlook: Cool and Wet

According to the latest climate outlook update, odds are favoring that August 2019 will be cooler than average. The update was released by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center on July 31, 2019.

A female food scientist in a white lab coat and blue gloves conducting a test on a food sample.

Looking for Foodborne Germs and Their Resistance to Antibiotics

How often do the meat products we buy in the store contain germs that might cause illness in people? Can we learn anything about antibiotic resistance with that information? Those are just two of the questions that SDSU is examining as part of their work with the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS).

A map of the misouri river basin in the Upper Midwest.

Zebra Mussels Impacting Missouri River Reservoir System

In July 2019, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks officials confirmed of presence of zebra mussels in Lake Sharpe near Fort Thompson after U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff initially discovered them while performing inspections on Big Bend Dam.

Various packaged poultry products on display in a cooler at a grocery store.

Looking for Foodborne Germs and Their Resistance to Antibiotics: Poultry

This report analyzes the NARMS results for poultry products for the period of June 2018 through May 2019.

Sealed packages of ground beef stacked inside a meat cooler at a grocery store.

Looking for Foodborne Germs and Their Resistance to Antibiotics: Ground Beef

This report analyzes the NARMS results for ground beef for the period of June 2018 through May 2019.

Various cuts of raw pork ready for packaging.

Looking for Foodborne Germs and Their Resistance to Antibiotics: Pork

This report analyzes the NARMS results for pork products for the period of June 2018 through May 2019.