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A pair of hands wearing garden gloves holding tomatoes. A white text overlay reads "2018 Farm Bill." This image is courtesy of the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Time to Sign up for 2018 Farm Bill

This winter it is time to study up on the Farm Bill elections and make an appointment with the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) in order to put the program in place for the farm. The deadline to make the election is March 15, 2020.

Illustration of a stable fly, horn fly and face fly.

Fly Control Considerations for Cattle on Pasture

Along with being irritants to livestock, horn flies, face flies and stable flies are economically important to producers due to their negative impacts on milk production and calf weaning weights.

A wooden car cutout placed inside a small shopping cart next to a calculator and a notebook.

Shopping for Car Insurance

Does affordable car insurance mean the cheapest price, or does it mean getting the most for your money?

Frost-covered grass in a winter pasture.

SWOT Analysis for Your Ranch (And Don’t Forget About Yourself)

Completing a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis allows you to evaluate your operation's current position and decide on management strategies to achieve your goals for the next year. Learn how to get started today!

Map of South Dakota with dot-plots indicating 24-hour soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth for various locations throughout South Dakota. Data from Mesonet.sdstate.edu

Delayed Planting Due to Soil Temperatures?

Although it can be tempting to get a head start with row crops, it's important to be mindful of soil temperatures and the risks associated with planting early.

4-H youth washing a black beef cow in preparation for a fair.

Fair Season Biosecurity

Fairs are a big part of youth livestock programs, but they come with a responsibility to care for animals the right way. With a few extra steps, you’ll be doing your part to keep your animals, your barn, and your community healthy, now and for the seasons to come.

A brownish tan grasshopper with black chevron marking on its hind legs sitting on a ripening tomato.

Protecting Tomatoes From Grasshoppers in the Garden

During dry summers, it's no surprise when grasshoppers start causing issues in gardens. Learn about some common grasshoppers that feed on tomato plants along with some ways to manage populations.

Two producers inspecting freshly cut alfalfa in a field.

Alfalfa Harvest Timing and Objectives

Guessing when to make that first cutting can be difficult, as using plant maturity or calendar dates alone can be quite risky. Get the most out of your first cutting with some expert tips that consider the timing and objectives of alfalfa harvest.

South Dakota 4-H Hosts Operation: Healthy Habits Challenge

October 08, 2021

During these unprecedented and occasionally sedentary times, South Dakota 4-H is encouraging South Dakota residents to get active, be active and stay active by participating in the Operation: Healthy Habits Challenge.

The Importance of Reminiscing

Reminiscence involves sharing thoughts and feelings of one’s experiences to recall and reflect upon important events within one’s life. The ability to recall and reflect helps older adults remember who they used to be in order to help them define their identity in the current moment.