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Cream colored moth with a dark brown band in the middle of its body.

Monitor Sunflower for Banded Sunflower Moth Activity

Banded sunflower moths are active in South Dakota, which means it is time to start scouting sunflowers for their eggs. Banded sunflower moth caterpillars can reduce yields and oil content by feeding on the developing florets and tunneling into developing seeds.

Three bean leaf beetles. From Left: Brown beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Yellow beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Red beetle with black spots on a green leaf.

Bean Leaf Beetles Showing Up in Soybean

Despite the prediction of low overwintering survival we have observed bean leaf beetles in soybean this week. See our latest observations and management recommendations.

Producer moving a small group of grazing cattle.

Focus on Grazing Management, Not Grazing ‘Systems’

Focusing only on the system and forgetting the fundamental truths of grazing will break any grazing strategy. Producers should instead focus on intensive management, making informed decisions based on the current conditions.

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.

A black angus calf in standing in a pasture between two cows.

Calving Season Benchmarks

Reproductive performance of an operation is important to the overall success and bottom line of that operation. Benchmarking may be beneficial as it can help focus limited management time on critical areas of an individual’s beef cow business.

A tall, grassy warm-season cover crop blend grown in South Dakota.

Your Cash Crop Flooded Out. What’s Plan B?

With significantly higher than normal precipitation in eastern South Dakota, many producers will soon be seeking a "Plan B" for their flooded-out row crops.

Cream-colored moth with a dark brown band in the middle of its body.

It’s Time To Start Scouting For Banded Sunflower Moths

Sunflowers throughout South Dakota are quickly approaching the R3 growth stage, which means it’s time to start scouting for banded sunflower moths. Banded sunflower moths are capable of reducing yields due to their caterpillars feeding on the bracts, florets and seeds.

Group of people having discussion over coffee

Creative Placemaking

Creative placemaking can use arts, culture, and design to stimulate dialogue, promote economic development, and catalyze systemic changes that are essential to the development of communities.

Man checking credit score on computer.

Understanding Your Credit Score

A credit score is an assessment of your creditworthiness. Lenders use the credit score to determine whether or not to lend to you, what the interest rate will be on the loan, and other terms that impact the cost of credit for the consumer.

A green leafy spurge plant with small, yellow bracts at top. Various brown and green plants surround the green leafy spurge plant.

Leafy spurge has germinated and is growing rapidly in South Dakota: Scout carefully!

Leafy spurge can reduce the value and productivity of pasture and displace desirable vegetation. Now is the time to scout for infestations to determine which management tactics will be most effective.