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Sarah Calhoun presenting during a breakout session at the 2018 Energize! conference.

Write Your Own Small-Town Success Story

Big things can happen in small towns, and many rural success stories have taken place right here in South Dakota. Learn some tips to start writing your own small-town success story today!

A young, freckled girl eating small, red tomatoes inside a greenhouse.

Agritourism

When a producer has decided to sell a product directly from the farm, entertainment or tourism-based activities could be incorporated to create larger appeal. Agritourism could add value to the farm visit though education, entertainment, outdoor recreation, dining, relaxation or other avenues, potentially drawing more customers in.

A small green corn plant that has been cut and is laying on the ground.

Monitor Newly Emerged Corn for Black Cutworm Activity

There are several important insect pests that can severely injure corn during the early vegetative stages. One of these pests is the black cutworm. Although black cutworm caterpillars injure corn by feeding on leaf tissue, the serious damage occurs when caterpillar feeding results in the cutting of young corn plants.

A tree trunk with sawyer beetle damage.

Sawyer Beetles and Pine Wilt Disease

A sample came in from a recently felled Scotch pine tree down in Southeastern South Dakota. The hole and sawdust is due to a sawyer beetle that had infested the tree.

Adult red sunflower seed weevil on a sunflower leaf.

Malathion receives special local needs approval to treat red sunflower seed weevils in South Dakota from July 15 to August 31, 2025

The request was submitted and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency due to the large populations of red sunflower seed weevil present in South Dakota that are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides.

Tractor applying residual herbicide to a bare field.

Fall-Applied Residual Herbicides

Many parts of South Dakota can experience dry conditions when residual herbicides are applied, resulting in inadequate weed control. In these areas, residual herbicides can be applied in the fall and take advantage of a longer period to receive activating precipitation.

Green blades of rye growing amongst brown corn stalks.

Cereal Rye Cover Crop Between Corn and Soybean

Interest in cover crops has increased in recent times. Cereal rye has been a cover crop of choice among corn and soybean growers in South Dakota due to its superior tolerance to cold temperatures and ability to overwinter in a Northern climate.

Lamb with older sheep in the background

Three outstanding operations receive SD Master Lamb Producer Awards

October 30, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Master Lamb Producer Awards.

Group of 4-H youth being sworn in in the state legislative chamber in Pierre South Dakota

South Dakota 4-H Legislature Program

The South Dakota 4-H Legislature Program engages youth in a hands-on mock legislative session.

Herbicide sprayer on the edge of an emerging soybean field.

Syngenta to Stop Production of Gramoxone®

Global pesticide developer Syngenta announced on March 3, 2026 that they will cease global production of the herbicide product Gramoxone® (paraquat), a pivotal source of weed control in corn and soybean production, by June 30, 2026.