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Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota

Every workshop is built on tried and true ways of achieving better health at any age or ability level.

Gardener inspecting soil in a backyard garden plot.

Are Cheap Home Garden Soil Test Kits Accurate?

Inexpensive soil test kits are a method available for gardeners available to estimate soil pH and the level of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium present in the soil.

Cattle grazing corn residue in late fall.

Why Cropland Grazing Now?

The evidence is consistent: cropland grazing delivers measurable economic returns, proven soil health benefits, and growing adoption in South Dakota.

A herd of cattle grazing in a snowy pasture.

Do You Have To Defer Grazing on Winter Pastures?

How can ranchers improve profitability when feed typically represents well over half of cow-calf production costs? Grazing dormant winter range is a common practice to reduce costs in South Dakota. Grazing winter range when plants are completely dormant minimizes negative impacts on the function of the plant during the growing season. Separate pastures are typically designated for winter use only, often based on availability of winter shelter, water and access to stored feeds.

A close-up photo of a plant with thick, waxy leaves that are pointed. There is a pink, feathery flower in the center of the waxy leaves.

How to Care for Succulents Indoors

Succulents are popular, low-maintenance house plants that will grow in your home year-round. Learn some expert tips for planting, growing and caring for them in this resource!

Veterinarian and horse owner inspecting a horse.

Winter Ticks Showing Up on Horses

Ticks aren’t only active during the growing season in South Dakota. Winter ticks can be commonly found on horses and cattle. Learn some expert tips for identifying and managing them before they become a problem.

Group of mixed feedlot cattle resting in straw bedding during winter weather.

Strategic Feedlot Bedding

Providing bedding is one of the time-tested strategies for dealing with winter weather. But how does bedding affect the bottom-line?

Two diseased wheat plants side-by-side. The wheat heads on the left have ergot bodies throughout. The wheat plants on the right are infected with Fusarium head blight.

Assess Your Fields for Ergot and Fusarium Head Blight Before Harvest

The 2019 wheat harvest is well underway in South Dakota, with many acres of winter and much of the spring wheat crop left to harvest. To date, reports on yield and quality have been variable, depending on when the crop was seeded, weather conditions at important growth stages (such as flowering and grain fill) and disease pressure throughout the season.

Color-coded drought monitor map of South Dakota. As of March 29, northwest to southeast South Dakota are facing severe drought to abnormally dry conditions, while the northeast is under normal conditions.

Drought

Stay ahead of drought impacts with SDSU Extension's timely climate updates, business insights and research-tested management tips.

cattle grazing early spring pasture

Grass Tetany: Now Is the Time To Prepare

Grass tetany is a metabolic disorder associated with grazing lush, rapidly growing pastures. Learn the factors that influence its progression along with tips for preventing and managing it in herds.