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Testing Center on the South Dakota State University campus.

SDSU Extension Pesticide Applicator Testing Locations

Whether you are interested in becoming certified as a private or commercial pesticide applicator, SDSU Extension is proud to offer in-person pesticide applicator testing locations throughout South Dakota.

White beef cow.

Feeding Drought-Stressed Corn to Livestock

Drought-stressed corn can remain a valuable forage resource when harvested and stored appropriately. Successful utilization depends on careful management, including harvesting at the proper moisture content, achieving adequate packing density, and excluding oxygen during storage.

White cow in winter pasture.

Using Drought-Stressed Corn as Forage

Drought-stressed corn is a common challenge during dry growing seasons, but it does not necessarily result in a total loss of feed value. With proper harvest and storage management, drought-damaged corn can remain a useful and economical forage source.

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Aug 11

Garden Hour

Make the most of your garden and landscaping with weekly insights and ideas from our team of experts.

Purple-brown caterpillar with orange head on a green corn leaf.

Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: June 3, 2021

We still haven’t reached the degree day accumulation levels to see common stalk borers moving into corn fields. However, if weeds and grass are sprayed out along field borders, there is a very high probability that they will be forced into corn early.

Seecorn maggot larva feeding on a seed in a field.

Seedcorn Maggot Degree Day Activity Estimates: June 3, 2021

We are currently between the second and third generation peak emergences in South Dakota. Seedcorn maggot management must be done before planting, or the populations can be avoided by not planting during times of peak emergence.

Purple-brown caterpillar with orange head on a green corn leaf.

Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: June 10, 2021

The hot temperatures last week have resulted in a large increase in degree days for common stalk borer. Common stalk borers should now be scouted for in areas around Hot Springs, Lemmon, Mission, Pierre, Winner, Huron, Mitchell, Tyndall, Sisseton and Vermillion.

Eight green beetles in a row in the top half of the image and a row of seven yellow beetles with varying black stripes in the bottom half of the image.

Corn Rootworm Egg Hatch Estimates

Corn rootworms overwinter in the soil as eggs and hatch in the spring when enough soil degree days have been accumulated. Based on soil degree day accumulations, most of South Dakota has reached 50% corn rootworm egg hatch.

Orange and metallic green moth resting on a green leaf.

Squash Vine Borers Ramping up in South Dakota

Last week squash vine borer moths were observed in South Dakota. For this reason, it is important to scout for the moths as well as eggs on the stems of zucchini, squash, pumpkins and related produce.

Dark-colored aphids on a green stem.

Cowpea Aphids Infesting Alfalfa

Typically, we worry about pea aphids in alfalfa. However, we noticed that cowpea aphids were present on alfalfa this week. If left unmanaged, cowpea aphids can stunt alfalfa, reduce yields and even kill the plants during severe infestations.