Search

Field Studies: Blowing the Whistle on Marketing Claims

With technology surrounding today’s culture, data and marketing information has become a key part of life. The best way to determine if a product or practice is effective is to ask for the data and research backing a company’s claims. However, before a producer makes a decision, understanding the data and statistics is key.

Color-coded map of South Dakota and other Midwestern states. Colors indicate a higher risk of unplanted areas in Eastern and Northeastern South Dakota.

Stretching Corn Silage Supplies

During the 2002 drought there was a need to stretch corn silage supplies as a result of the drought that affected the U.S. Now we deal with the opposite scenario, where excessive spring rains have not allowed farmers to get to the fields. In both situations livestock producers face challenges.

Producer and USDA agent reviewing CFAP 1.0 application.

USDA: CFAP 1 Program Payment Benefits to Producers

In examining the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1.0 website, we are able to directly see the impact of the program and the payments made to producers across the country.

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

Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: May 20, 2021

Warmer weather is finally here. Although we have accumulated quite a few degree days for common stalk borers, nowhere in the state has reached accumulation levels for common stalk borer caterpillar movement into corn fields.

Producer with tablet observing a field in late autumn.

Critical Period of Weed Control: A good, but not perfect guideline

The critical period of weed control is the period during a crop lifecycle when weeds need to be managed to avoid a significant yield loss.

Two coneflowers with distorted heads due to Aster yellows phytoplasma.

Aster Yellows - Plant Pest on the Plains: How you can get involved in this important research

Aster yellows phytoplasma, best known as Aster Yellows disease or Onion Yellows disease, is commonly observed in purple coneflowers across the Great Plains. SDSU Extension is monitoring and modeling its distribution in the region, and you can help!

A young, freckled girl eating small, red tomatoes inside a greenhouse.

Agritourism

When a producer has decided to sell a product directly from the farm, entertainment or tourism-based activities could be incorporated to create larger appeal. Agritourism could add value to the farm visit though education, entertainment, outdoor recreation, dining, relaxation or other avenues, potentially drawing more customers in.