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Ash Tree Issues
Ash flower galls are appearing on the twigs of ash throughout the state. The brown to black “balls” hang in clusters beneath the branch shoots. The galls are due to the feeding activity of the ash flower gall mite (Eriophyes fraxiniflora) and this mite only feeds on the male flowers of ash.

2018 Annual Climate Summary
In 2018, South Dakota saw the typical weather extremes of all kinds. New Year’s Day 2018 started out with record cold temperatures and wind chills; the year ended with a blizzard on December 31, with a lot of extremes in between.

Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn: A New Corn Disease in South Dakota
Bacterial leaf streak, caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum (Xvv), is a recently discovered disease of corn in South Dakota. The disease was first identified in Nebraska in 2016 but now has been found in the majority of the Corn Belt states. Under favorable weather conditions bacterial leaf streak can develop to reach yield reducing levels. Like any other bacterial disease, once symptoms develop there is little that can be done to control it in the field. However, it is important to correctly diagnose this as a bacterial disease because it can be confused with gray leaf spot which is a fungal disease.

Soil Testing Labs
This page contains a list of nearby state or private laboratories that can be used for crop production fields, gardens and lawns.

Fruit
View information to grow, harvest and enjoy fruit.

Local Foods: Whole Fresh Vegetables and Herbs
Fresh, whole raw fruits and vegetables grown in South Dakota can currently be sold without a food service license from the South Dakota Department of Health.

Fungicide Resistance: Risk and Management
What is fungicide resistance?
Fungicide resistance can be defined as when a pathogen population is no longer sensitive or has reduced sensitivity to the fungicide that used to control the same pathogen.

How to Plant Bare-Root Perennials
Many herbaceous perennial plants are sold as bare-root plants. A bare-root plant is just what it sounds like—a plant with bare roots and not growing in a container. Learn how to select, store, and plant these plants.

Food Safety Rules for Fruit & Vegetable Growers: FAQ
It seems rules and guidelines for growing fresh produce safely are constantly changing, as new laws and regulations are implemented each year.

First Soybean Aphid Populations Detected in South Dakota
While scouting fields this week, we observed winged (alate) soybean aphids in Southeast South Dakota.