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Two pictures of two different species of thistle. Both pictures are filled with a green thistle plant and various green plants in the background.

Thistle Species Are Budding in South Dakota

Thistles are starting to bud across South Dakota. This is a critical growth stage for management, as the plants are beginning to produce seeds and herbicides are not effective.

Windy and Divide Fires

General guide to all South Dakota landowners who may be affected by unplanned fire events.

Prescribed burn taking place in a pasture.

Fire as a Management Tool

When planned for and implemented appropriately fire is a tool that can have tremendous benefits to your grassland community.

Well-managed grassland area adjacent to a wetland.

Managing Livestock Attractants Near Water

In the event that your pasture includes riparian areas, such as streams, rivers, lakes or ponds, you’ll want to take special care of these habitats. A riparian area is the space immediately adjacent to the shore, where water and land interact.

An upland sandpiper bird nestled in a healthy grassland area.

Wildlife

Not only will well-managed grasslands provide habitat for native wildlife; the presence of these often-overlooked species are a great indicator of a well-managed (and likely profitable) grassland system.

Left: Maggie DeMers showing a dress on stage. Right: Maggie with a harnessed cow at a 4-H event.

Perseverance: An Important Skill Learned in 4-H

Maggie DeMers is a member of the Clovervale 4-H Club in Tripp County, S.D. Through 4-H, she has influenced many people with her passion, learned skills and shared experiences.

Garden Clubs & Associations

Novice gardeners and master gardeners share a love of and respect for nature, which is one of the many reasons why they naturally seek out like-minded individuals to organize clubs or associations.

Symptoms of rust infection on wheat blades. Left: Stripe rust. Yellow pustules are arranged in a linear fashion on the wheat blade. Right: Leaf rust. Orange-brown pustules are randomly distributed on the leaf.

Stripe Rust and Leaf Rust Developing in Winter Wheat

Stripe rust and leaf rust were found in winter wheat plots at the SDSU research farm in Aurora. Observation of these two rusts indicates that we have inoculum in our area, therefore winter wheat fields should be scouted until wheat is done flowering.

Mother and toddler doing a learning activity on a tablet computer.

Embracing Technology to Teach Early Literacy Skills

Research suggests that learning happens when children can use multiple senses, such as sight, sound, and touch. With technology, parents, caregivers, and educators can nurture reading skills in new, exciting ways!

SDSU Extension welcomes new program manager for urban development

December 02, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Paul Rann as the new Program Manager for Urban Economic Development within the Ness School of Management of Economics.