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Small black and yellow beetle feeding on the green leaf of a canola plant.

Don’t Forget to Scout Canola for Flea Beetles

Canola emergence is well underway and ahead of emergence at this time in 2023. There are three species of flea beetles that commonly infest canola and feed on the leaves.

Two pictures of bright, green plants with yellow flowers.

Leafy Spurge or an Imposter?

Leafy spurge is a statewide noxious weed that can be difficult to manage. However, are the recent yellow flowers appearing throughout South Dakota landscapes leafy spurge or another species?

Four rows tilled through the three clover treatments

2023 On-Farm Experiences Growing Cucurbits in Newly Established Clover Living Mulch in Eastern South Dakota

Research report determining the impact of two established clover species on weed suppression, crop growth, and yield of squash.

wheat field

Tan Spot of Wheat

Tan spot is a devastating disease of wheat in South Dakota and the rest of the wheat producing regions world over. It causes an estimated yield loss of about 5 percent in South Dakota but this loss can go up to 30 percent in individual fields.

Variety of vegetables growing inside a high tunnel.

SDSU Extension 2025 Garden Hour series starts May 6

May 02, 2025

/garden-yard/problems-and-solutions

A field divided into two planting areas. The left area has young corn plants emerging from the soil. The right has no visible corn emergence yet.

Grassy Weeds

Grassy weeds are a problem in all field crops. They must be identified at early stages of growth so they can be controlled before crop yields are seriously threatened. Control measures are not the same for all grassy weeds, so accurate seedling identification is important.

Corn plants and scattered weeds emerge from a dry, no-till field.

Dry Conditions May Hinder the Performance of Recently Applied Preemergence Herbicides

If a preemergence herbicide does not receive an activating rainfall, generally 0.5 to 1 inch of rain, many weeds will emerge, as the herbicide remains on the soil surface.

A green leafy spurge plant with small, yellow bracts at top. Various brown and green plants surround the green leafy spurge plant.

Leafy spurge has germinated and is growing rapidly in South Dakota: Scout carefully!

Leafy spurge can reduce the value and productivity of pasture and displace desirable vegetation. Now is the time to scout for infestations to determine which management tactics will be most effective.

Grass buring

Live fire training for landowners planned for May 20

May 19, 2025

There will be a live prescribed fire training for landowners and agency officials on May 20, 2025, in the Animal Science building on the South Dakota State University campus.

Color-coded map showing precipitation outlook for the United States. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

May 2025 Drought and Climate Update

Drought has plagued South Dakota since last year’s growing season. While producers welcome a spell of dry weather for planting spring crops at this time of year, recent moisture will not be enough to carry through the growing season.