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Green aphid with red eyes and cornicles with black tips.

Monitor Alfalfa for Pea Aphid Activity

Pea aphids can cause yield reductions to alfalfa when large populations are present. Prolonged feeding by these populations can even cause the alfalfa fields to take on a “golden” color.

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.

Color-coded drought monitor map of South Dakota. As of March 22, northwest to southeast South Dakota are facing severe drought to abnormally dry conditions, while the northeast is under normal conditions.

Agronomic Considerations for Moisture Deficit Conditions

The current soil moisture stress in South Dakota could be more pronounced than we have seen in last few years. If this continues, cropping decisions may need to be adjusted for the upcoming growing season.

fruit and vegetable garden with raised beds

Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota

Whatever your reasons to start a vegetable garden: fresh produce with great flavor, exercise, saving money, enticing children (and adults) to eat healthier food, or knowing where your food came from and how it was grown, this booklet will help you with basic information and tips to get started.

Sun rising at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Changes to the Commodity Title from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Impact on South Dakota crops

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act contains several changes to the Title I Commodity Programs. Learn how these changes may impact crops in South Dakota compared to crops grown in other regions in the United States.

Greenhouse bench containing plants in potted substrate exhibiting death (brown plants) and survival (green plants) after herbicide treatment.

SDSU Research Update on Herbicide Resistance Screening

SDSU Extension's herbicide resistance screening has been gathering valuable information on regional resistance patterns across South Dakota. Results will help guide herbicide selection, tank-mix strategies, and resistance management programs for growers.

A green tractor pulling a red wagon next to a pile of wet distillers grains.

Storing Wet and Modified Distillers Grains

One of the primary challenges for livestock producers in the coming months could very well be feedstuff cost and availability due to the fact that the corn planted acreage and crop progress are both well behind normal benchmarks. One opportunity that might help cattle feeders proactively secure feed supplies would be storing wet or modified distiller’s grains now to be fed at a later date.

Two common caterpillar pests of corn. Top: Corn earworm caterpillar. Bottom: European corn borer.

A Case of Mistaken Caterpillar Identity

Tweets about European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) caterpillars in the stems of conventional corn and feeding in the whorls of corn are crossing my Twitter feed. Unfortunately, there is a problem with some of these tweets. Not all of the caterpillars that are being identified as European corn borer caterpillars are actually European corn borer caterpillars!

Corn earlobe being stored in a bunker for later use as cattle feed.

Valuing High-Moisture Corn and Earlage

A key advantage to using commodities that meet standard specifications and are frequently traded is that it is very easy to establish an economic value that is accepted by most users. The marketplace sets the value of corn, and other feedstuffs on a daily basis, provided those products meet some set of standard specifications.

Floating row covers set up over rows of specialty crops.

Season Extension for Fall Specialty Crops

Extending crop production into the fall allows growers to take advantage of cooler temperatures and enjoy fresh, cool-season vegetables later in the year.