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Three South Dakota fields that claimed prevent plant. The first field is planted with a cover crop. The second field has no cover crops, but tillage was completed to control weeds. The third has no cover crops and weeds are growing throughout.

Prevent Plant: Its Effect on Fall and Spring Fertilizing Plans

Driving around South Dakota, you can see the many acres that farmers were not able to plant. Now that fall soil-sampling season is well on its way, many people have questions regarding how different situations of prevented planting will affect soil sampling and fertilizer application needs.

Diseased sunflower head, showing sclerotia bodies that have replaced seeds.

Sclerotinia Concerns in Sunflower

Sclerotinia diseases are a concern in sunflowers, because the fungus can infect the plant through the root, mid-stalk or the head. Wet weather and cool temperatures two-to-three weeks prior to and during flowering favor disease development.

Two women inspecting range plants

Register now for SDSU Extension Annie’s Project in Eagle Butte

September 04, 2024

Annie’s Project is designed to empower women in agriculture through education, networking and resources. Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, said the program helps women build the confidence to become more involved in their family’s agricultural enterprises.

Color-coded map of the United States indicating July 2023 precipitation outlook. For a detailed description of this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

End of Summer 2023 Climate Outlook

A recent run of warm temperatures and dry conditions in South Dakota has accelerated drought concerns, but some good news lies ahead in the NOAA’s 2023 end of summer climate outlook.

veterinarian using a stethoscope on a horse

Another Piece of the Puzzle? Understanding South Dakota Veterinarian's Response to the Opioid Epidemic

Researchers at South Dakota State University (SDSU) wanted to understand the extent of this problem in South Dakota in order to better prepare veterinary clinics to deal with this epidemic.

Man shopping for vegetable seeds at a grocery store.

SNAP Benefits for Seed and Plant Purchases

Did you know that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants in South Dakota can purchase seeds and edible plants to grow their own food? It’s true!

About six people sit around a table in a community room with notebooks and pens

SDSU Extension Community Vitality built on foundation of empowering people

February 09, 2024

Now a full-fledged capstone within SDSU Extension, community development – since renamed Community Vitality – has evolved and grown in the last 20 years. Program leaders agree the community work they did through Horizons laid the foundation for what would become a successfully thriving SDSU Extension Community Vitality program.

Silhouette of a bull grazing in a pasture at sunset.

Bull Check Up

Cattlemen can increase the breeding capacity of bulls through proper care prior to the breeding season. Because the production of sperm cells require 60 days with several factors having a potential negative impact on breeding ability, it is time to begin evaluating bulls now to ensure they are ready for the breeding season.

variety of garden catalogs laying on a blue background

Choosing Vegetable Varieties for Your Area

Spring is coming and will be here before we know it. Gardeners are reading through catalogs, looking at that new variety of green bean, or maybe a gorgeous new tomato. The catalogs are written to hook you in by making these varieties look as good as possible. The photos are generally mouthwatering and the descriptions often seem a bit over-the-top.

A male and femail dung beetle rolling a ball of dung in a pasture. Courtesy: Beverly Skinner/USFWS (CC BY 2.0)

Managing Livestock for Dung Beetles and Other Beneficial Species

South Dakota researchers have taken a closer look at the function of dung beetles in Eastern South Dakota over the last few years. This article summarizes findings related to management of livestock grazing and chemical pesticides in relation to dung beetle and insect community health.