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Three beetles. From left: Black colored blister beetle on a purple flower. Gray colored blister beetle on a green alfalfa stem. Orange-brown colored blister beetle feeding on a sunflower head.

Blister Beetles Are Active in South Dakota Alfalfa

Blister beetles have been spotted in several alfalfa fields in South Dakota, which means it’s time to start scouting to determine how many are present.

SDSU Releases Two New Spring Wheat Varieties

Two new spring wheat varieties, Forefront and Advance are being increased by South Dakota Foundation Seed Growers and will be available to everybody in 2013.

White canvas material covered in dark colored aphids.

Cowpea Aphid Populations Taking off in Alfalfa

In southeast South Dakota, we are observing large cowpea aphid populations in alfalfa. Large populations can reduce yields, and, if left unmanaged, these infestations even kill the plants.

A pasture containing a mixture of grasses and alfalfa.

Grasshopper Activity Is Ramping Up

We have already observed increased grasshopper activity in many areas of the state and, depending on the 2022 season, they may become problematic in crops.

Small fly with black and white alternating bands on legs.

Soybean Gall Midge Adults Detected in South Dakota

Soybean gall midge emergence was first detected in South Dakota two weeks ago, during the week of June 13 -17, 2022. Emergence continues to be slow, with the only observations in southeast South Dakota.

Dark colored caterpillar feeding on wheat head.

True Armyworm Caterpillars Spotted in South Dakota

While scouting this week we observed some very small true armyworm caterpillars. Every year these caterpillars pose a threat to wheat fields, and the best way to stay ahead of them is to start scouting before defoliation is done.

A wheat stem sawfly with long antennae, smoky wings, and black and yellow coloration. The white bar indicates a scale of 2mm.

Wheat Stem Sawfly: An Overview

In recent years, the northwestern and north central regions of South Dakota have struggled with the presence of sawfly populations in wheat fields. Learn some tips for identifying and managing them in wheat.

Aerial view of the SDSU Southeast Research Farm.

South Dakota State University’s Southeast Research Farm to Host Annual Field Day July 12

July 07, 2022

The South Dakota State University Southeast Research Farm will host its annual field day on Tuesday, July 12, beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT.

SDSU Northeast Research Farm near South Shore, South Dakota.

South Dakota State University Northeast Research Farm to Host Field Day July 14

July 07, 2022

The South Dakota State University Northeast Research Farm will host its annual field day on Thursday, July 14, at 4:30 p.m. CDT.

A cornfield with severely wind-injured corn throughout.

Wind Injury in Corn

In the aftermath of severe weather, levels of wind damage in corn can vary greatly from field to field. How plants recover largely depends on wind velocity and corn growth stage.