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Two common caterpillar pests of corn. Top: Corn earworm caterpillar. Bottom: European corn borer.

A Case of Mistaken Caterpillar Identity

Tweets about European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) caterpillars in the stems of conventional corn and feeding in the whorls of corn are crossing my Twitter feed. Unfortunately, there is a problem with some of these tweets. Not all of the caterpillars that are being identified as European corn borer caterpillars are actually European corn borer caterpillars!

Top: Tan caterpillar with dark brown head on corn stalk. Bottom: Black caterpillar with light stripes and yellow-brown head capsule. Caterpillar also has small spines on body segments.

Caterpillars Active in South Dakota Corn Fields

Both European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) are active in corn fields. Sometimes the caterpillar activity and identity of these two species can be confused.

Cattle grazing a section of a vast, well-managed pasture.

Grazing Calculator

The SDSU Extension Grazing Calculator eliminates the guesswork and mess associated with doing calculations by hand. It requires a few inputs on your end, and you will be able to save a downloadable Excel file for your record keeping.

Strip steaks on grill with meat thermometers properly inserted through the side of the cuts.

Meat: Safe Handling and Consumption

From the grocery store to your plate, learn some important food safety considerations for handling, preparing, and enjoying meat!

Dark green corn plants without any visual sign of nutrient deficiency symptoms.

Monitoring Corn Nutrient Deficiencies: The Traditional and Precision Ag Approach

To maximize growth and productivity, plants require 17 different nutrients.

Brown Swiss Dairy Calf, lays outside calf hutch in straw bedding with blue calf coat on, sunning itself in the winter sunshine.

Winter Preparedness on the Dairy Farm

Weather this time of year can change in a hurry. So how many of you as dairy producers have heeded the warning and taken the time to prepare for the upcoming winter?

Sheep producer viewing information on a laptop computer.

Knowing Your Numbers: What are your operational benchmarks?

Tightening margins have posed a challenge to many sheep producers over the last few years. Enterprise budgeting and knowing your operational benchmarks can help.

group of dairy workers observing manure storage facility. Photo by Kari Cohen, NRCS.

Dealing With Emergency Manure Runoff

With the recent flooding that the region has experienced and snowmelt that is yet to come, it is essential for livestock operators with animal waste management systems to regularly check on structures in order to prevent a manure storage spill.

Farmer ranching his hand out for a cow to sniff

Cattle Behavior

Working cattle is an essential part of management. However, it can be stressful for the livestock and humans involved. The more we learn and understand about cattle behavior, the less stress these handling events will cause.

Headshot of Ree Reich

Ree Reich of Belle Fourche Named Eminent Leader in Agriculture, Family and Community

January 21, 2022

A mother to four, Ree Reich served as a 4-H leader for 40 years and remains an advocate and volunteer fundraiser for the organization.