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Two poisonous rangeland plants. Left: Woolly Locoweed. Right: Lambert Crazyweed (Purple Locoweed).

Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Locoweed and Crazyweed

Locoweed and crazyweed are found throughout South Dakota rangelands, and both can cause livestock poisoning.The names locoweed and crazyweed are often used interchangeably. However, there are notable differences between the species.

a bigger group of people in a town square doing various things

Peterson Farm Brothers to Headline AgriCulture on the Square

July 23, 2021

After a one-year break due to the pandemic, AgriCulture on the Square will be back in Rapid City, South Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Green soybeans with yellowing throughout.

Bacterial Blight Developing In Some Soybean Fields

Bacterial blight was found developing in a few soybean fields scouted the week of July 19. Leaf tattering is a common symptom of bacterial blight and happens when expanding bacterial blight lesions coalesce and form large brown patches.

Yellow wheat with grey colored wheat heads.

Sooty Mold: A Saprophytic Fungi Observed in Wheat

While out crop scouting, sooty mold was observed in some South Dakota wheat fields. Sooty mold is a saprophyte, which can be easily mistaken for a disease caused by plant pathogens.

Small, black beetle with a long snout.

Headclipping Weevils in Sunflower

Headclipping weevils have been active in some sunflower fields and in ornamental sunflower throughout South Dakota. Although the headclipping weevil is considered a minor pest of commercial sunflowers, it can cause a lot of problems for individuals trying to maintain sunflowers in their yards and gardens.

Gray beetle with long antennae that are alternating white and black pattern on green leaf petiole.

Dectes Stem Borer May Be More of an Issue During 2021

Dectes stem borers are an annual pest of sunflower in South Dakota. During most years, they do not cause major issues in sunflower. However, we have observed increased issues with this pest during dry years.

Cream-colored moth with a dark brown band in the middle of its body.

It’s Time To Start Scouting For Banded Sunflower Moths

Sunflowers throughout South Dakota are quickly approaching the R3 growth stage, which means it’s time to start scouting for banded sunflower moths. Banded sunflower moths are capable of reducing yields due to their caterpillars feeding on the bracts, florets and seeds.

Three bean leaf beetles. From Left: Brown beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Yellow beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Red beetle with black spots on a green leaf.

Monitor Soybean for Bean Leaf Beetle Activity

Some of the bean leaf beetles we are currently observing in South Dakota may make up the population of overwintering adults. While these adults are in soybean, they can cause significant amounts of defoliation to the leaves.

Small black beetles covering a partially defoliated leaf.

Flea Beetles Causing Issues in Canola

Large flea beetle populations in canola have been observed in neighboring states and within South Dakota. The hot, dry and sunny conditions that we have been experiencing throughout 2021 have been ideal for flea beetle populations.

Left: Large green leaves of hosta have white and yellow discoloration on the outside edge of the leaves. Right: A green pepper with a tan spot that appears mushy.

Leaf Scorch and Sunscald in the Garden

Long stretches of hot, dry weather will upset the growing habits of all plants and will lead to some unusual symptoms on leaves and produce in the garden. July and August are a prime time to watch for leaf scorch and sunscald.