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Beef cattle grazing summer pasture.

Summer Pasture Report: Discussing Rain, Pasture Recovery, and Preparing for Fall

Drought conditions across northern South Dakota have seen some relief due to the precipitation received in the past few months. Despite some decent rainfall occurring, most of the state is still behind normal for the water year.

Two broccoli plants exhibiting early black rot symptoms.

Black Rot of Brassica Crops

Black rot is an uncommon, but devastating bacterial disease in South Dakota that can develop during extended periods of hot and wet weather, leading to rapid and widespread crop loss.

Microscope analyzing a slide.

How the Veterinary Lab Diagnoses Anthrax in a Beef Herd

Anthrax is a serious disease of cattle that pops up somewhere almost every year in South Dakota. It’s caused by a bacteria that survives as a very tough spore form in the soil. Knowing whether a death on pasture has been caused by anthrax is important for several reasons.

A field of flowering alfalfa.

Testing Forages for Nitrates

Free nitrate testing is available at various locations across the state. Nitrate testing strips are used to provide a semi-quantitative value of nitrate levels in forages. It allows producers to make decisions based on the presence or absence of nitrates and appropriate timing for cutting.

small group of cattle grazing on cover crops

Cover Crops & Livestock Integration: A Profit Opportunity for S.D. Farms

Cover crops have been gaining a reemerging acceptance over the last decade, with very few producers disagreeing about the potential soil health benefits of adding cover crops to their farming operation.

Group of mixed calves in a feedlot.

SDSU Extension Opens Registration for 2020-2021 Calf Value Discovery Program

October 14, 2020

SDSU Extension Opens Registration for 2020-2021 Calf Value Discovery Program

Tim Schreiner at his food preservation booth at the Vermillion Area Farmers Market.

Schreiner Turns Backyard Hobby Into Community Support

Whether volunteering as a Master Gardener or a Master Food Preserver, Tim Schreiner says the interaction with people and seeing that “light bulb” moment after a conversation is really the fun part of the programs.

fresh vegetables including onions, potatoes, lettuce and squash are shown piled on a counter

SDSU Extension to host short educational course on high tunnels

September 29, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will host a two-day High Tunnel Short Course on Oct. 16-17 at the Outdoor Campus – West in Rapid City.

Three bright red and green apples ready for harvest

Brookings Master Gardener donating 30 apple trees to local youth

May 19, 2026

A Brookings-area Master Gardener is donating 30 apple trees to local youth for the sixth annual Fruitful Children Project.

Equipment used to measure soil gas emissions resting in a field.

Soil Carbon Cycle and Laboratory Measurements of Carbon Related to Soil Health

Carbon is one the most-important elements in agricultural soils. Take in-depth look at how carbon is understood, measured, and managed to benefit soil health in agricultural production.