Skip to main content

Search

bare field in spring waiting to be planted

Planting Considerations for a Late Spring

Farm fields in some areas are unusually wet this year with many low areas under water. These conditions will make planting a challenge for farmers this year.

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.

Cropland illustrating soil surface cover in instances where there is and is not rye cover crops planted.

Conserving Soil Moisture During Dry Conditions

Dry conditions can create difficulties for agricultural producers. Using soil health principles can improve the resilience of agricultural systems to dry conditions.

Black beetle covered in gray setae that has a black rostrum.

Gray Sunflower Seed Weevils

Factsheet on the lifecycle, identification, scouting and management of Gray Sunflower Seed Weevils.

A field of soybeans with leaves flipping upward.

Drought Stress Symptoms in Soybean

Soybeans in South Dakota are in their moisture-critical reproductive stage. Drought stress during this growth stage can significantly impact yield, so here are some things to look for.

Small, green and yellow florets being held by a hand.

Isolated Female Waterhemp Plant Produced Seed: Implications that pollen is in the air

Recent observations by the SDSU Extension Weed Science team highlight that pollen can move far distances to pollinate isolated female plants. This reinforces the need to effectively manage weeds in fields and adjacent areas.

Green volunteer wheat plants.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Management Before Planting

Wheat streak mosaic virus is one of the important diseases in winter wheat and can lead to severe yield losses. Learn how it can be effectively mitigated by using proactive management in your fields.

yellow-orange butternut squash on the vine in the garden

Time To Harvest Those Winter Squash

One of the wonderful things about having a vegetable garden is having access to fresh produce all season long. Now that the growing season is closing down, you likely still have some vegetables left to harvest, particularly the winter squash. The great thing about squash is that they usually store well so they can provide food for several months during the fall and winter.

group of cattle at feedbunk

Feeding Damaged Wheat to Cattle

Feeding damaged wheat to livestock is one way to salvage value from the crop. Wheat can work well in cattle diets with some limitations.

A snow-dusted corn stand.

Wet Corn: Storage and Late Harvest Options

With a very challenging harvest in many parts of south and southeastern South Dakota this year, farmers were faced with difficult decisions. Wet, unfrozen ground in many areas and high grain moisture forced many farmers had to make a decision: harvest the wet grain, or let it stand in the field.