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Farmer sitting inside the cab of a green tractor parked inside a machine shed.

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Depreciation Determination and Use

Another component of determining net income is depreciation. This is one component of the Schedule F that many understand the least. Typically, the most use it gets is to minimize income tax through accelerated tax depreciation under section 179.

Green beetle larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: May 6, 2021

The cooler temperatures the last few days probably slowed down alfalfa weevils again, but everyone should be scouting fields due to the possibility of alfalfa weevil activity.

Left: Common asparagus beetle adult. Right: Twelve-spotted asparagus beetle adult.

Asparagus Beetles Active in South Dakota

Two insects that we recommend scouting for in asparagus are the common asparagus beetle and the twelve-spotted asparagus beetle. Learn how to identify and manage both before they cause serious issues in your garden.

A farm yard near a sprawling field of recently planted crops.

Planting Projections 2020

South Dakota producers recently indicated they plan to plant 12.9 million acres of corn, soybeans and wheat in 2020, plus an additional 620,000 acres of sunflowers, 345,000 acres of oats and 45,000 acres of barley, as well as 270,000 acres of sorghum and 11,000 acres of dry edible peas.

Red-brown colored weevil with bent antennae originating on the elongated mouthparts.

It’s Time to Start Scouting for Red Sunflower Seed Weevils

In South Dakota, sunflower flowering is getting underway. That means it is time to start scouting fields for red sunflower seed weevils.

Green beetle larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: April 15, 2021

Due to the cooler temperatures, we didn’t accumulate a lot of degree days for alfalfa weevils during the last week. However, there are some areas in South Dakota where alfalfa weevils may be active.

Green beetle larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Update: May 30, 2019

It was another cool week for most of South Dakota, with little degree day accumulation occurring. However, alfalfa fields should still be monitored for alfalfa weevil activity, although the cool, wet weather might have slowed the pest down.

Row of young crops emerging from a tire rut in compacted soil.

Accounting for Soil Wetness Prior to Conducting Farm Operations to Minimize Compaction

In the spring many agricultural producers are anxious to get into the field and perform tillage, planting, and chemical applications. However, if field operations are done when the soil is too wet, this can lead to soil compaction.

Green beetle larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: April 29, 2021

With another warmer week in the forecast, the need to scout for alfalfa weevils continues. Based on current degree day accumulations, overwintering alfalfa weevil adult activity is likely throughout all of South Dakota.

Green beetle larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: May 4, 2020

Temperatures continue to increase across South Dakota and the degree days are rapidly accumulating. With the exception of areas around Selby, Sisseton and Brookings, alfalfa weevil activity is likely in South Dakota.