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Leaves exhibiting aphid damage.

Aphids On Trees

Aphids are appearing on many trees at this time of year and their activity is generally noticed by the abundance of honeydew they excrete on the lower leaves and any plants or objects beneath the tree.

A green cut alfalfa field dries as the sun sets.

Forage Resources Available to S.D. Farmers and Ranchers

Forages are a very important part of the South Dakota livestock and cropping industries. Often, producers have difficulties finding enough forage for their herd or locating a fellow producer to buy, sell or rent forages and grazing acres too. South Dakota now has two widely-recognized, free resources to aid in these connections.

Black insect with a white spot on the back and orange tipped legs and antennae.

A fly? A hornet? Nope, it’s a sawfly!

This spring, there have been multiple reports of people seeing large fly-like insects in their yards. These insects are sawflies, and all reports thus far have been the elm sawfly (Cimbex americana).

juniper greens with noticable browning on shoot tips.

Vole Damage to Junipers & Small Trees

Vole-damaged junipers can be identified by distinct yellowing and browning shoot tips, as well as unique gnaw marks.

People shop for plants on tables outside

SDSU Extension, McCrory Gardens to host Garden Discovery Festival

March 31, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension and McCrory Gardens will launch the 2025 summer programming schedule with the Garden Discovery Festival on May 18, 2025.

A combine harvesting soybeans at sunset.

Trade Impacts on Soybeans

Agricultural trade agreements were first established in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), legal treaty signed initially by 23 nations in 1947. The purpose was to promote international trade by reducing barriers such as tariffs.

Muddy field with no residual forage exhibiting signs of extreme soil erosion.

Five Range Management Principles: #4 Residual Forage

Residual forage is the amount of green leaf left after a grazing event. Understanding its importance can help producers capitalize on the symbiotic relationship that occurs when soil health is front and center on rangelands.

Variety of colorful poinsettia plants on display at a retail store.

Poinsettias: Selecting and Caring for the Most-Popular Holiday Plant

With the holiday season already underway, garden centers, floral shops and popular retail chains are full of poinsettias. Learn some tips for selecting and caring for them in this article.

Three photos of blister beetles. The first is a black colored blister beetle on a purple flower. The second is a gray colored blister beetle on yellow flowers. The third is an orange-brown colored blister beetle feeding on a green leaf.

Check Alfalfa for Blister Beetle Activity

Blister beetles are becoming more common as we progress through the growing season. Recently, there have been multiple reports of blister beetles showing up in alfalfa fields.

Dark colored caterpillar with two distinct black lines on head capsule.

Dingy Cutworms Observed in South Dakota Crops

Dingy cutworms have been reported in South Dakota crops, and their activity is likely to continue for at least another couple of weeks.