Skip to main content

Search

A woman riding a bike on a green hill. A bright blue sky with patchy white clouds is in the background.

Takeaways From the New 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

Recently, the second edition of Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans were released. So what is new in the guidelines? Here are some of the key takeaways from the updated guidelines.

Two men hold a plaque for honorary Master Pork Producer

2025 Master Pork Producers announced

February 23, 2026

Four South Dakota pork producers were recently recognized for their outstanding contributions to the state’s swine industry.

A Little Free Library book box along a sidewalk in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Opportunities for Addressing Book Deserts in Rural Communities

By fostering a culture for reading, placing books into community spaces, and partnering with libraries to extend their reach, rural communities can transform book deserts into book-rich environments.

Cover page of the USDA publication, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025

The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans include dietary recommendations for all life stages, from birth to older adulthood, along with pregnant and lactating women.

Three green plants that showcase A) waterhemp, B) redroot pigweed, and C) common lambsquarter.

Weeds Have Started to Flower!

Early-flowering waterhemp, redroot pigweed, and common lambsquarters show the importance of early weed control, as they can produce seeds before a delayed postemergence herbicide application.

A group of red angus cattle.

Calving Distribution Calculator

Excel calculator for calving distribution

Female Native American rancher gazing into an open rangeland.

Taking Time for Reflection: Managing Stress With Positive Thinking

The practice of positive thinking can improve your physical and mental health, and new perspectives and optimism can bring renewed strength to managing stress on the farm and at home.

a windmill in front of a sunset

Farming Strategies for the Future

There was a time in agriculture when greater yields always meant greater profitability. Today’s economic environment is characterized by high input costs and depressed commodity prices. Under this scenario when the optimum input/output relationship has been attained, more inputs do not necessarily result in greater returns on investment. Therefore, todays’ agriculture paradigm requires management that addresses production “optimization”. This is the point where a previously known level of inputs maximizes outputs before incurring into greater investments that result into diminishing returns.

Mother cow licking newborn calf in a pasture.

Calving Distribution Affects Herd Health

When the calving season is consolidated, nutritional requirements are more synchronous across the herd, and these benefits extend beyond improved feed management.

Monarch butterfly visiting a blanket flower near a backyard garden.

SDSU Extension to host Greatest Gardens contest

July 08, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension will celebrate gardens of all kinds with its inaugural South Dakota’s Greatest Gardens contest.