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SDSU Extension Winter Wheat Variety trials. One plot is showing more yellowing and stress than other plots.

Low Temperature Effects on Winter Wheat

Low temperatures during the early morning hours of May 9–11, 2020 may have had detrimental effects on winter wheat in some areas of South Dakota. However, cooler spring temperatures that have slowed the winter wheat development this year may have actually been beneficial to S.D. producers, as later-maturing wheat is not as susceptible to injury from freezing temperatures.

soybean pods

Best Management Practices for Soybean Production

This is your unbiased, research-based guide to soybean production to help increase yield, reduce input costs and protect your investment.

A soybean root with several small white cysts growing on it.

Soybean Cyst Nematode in South Dakota: History, Biology, and Management

Factsheet about Soybean Cyst Nematode history, biology and management in South Dakota

Three wheat plants exhibiting disease symptoms. From left: Tan spot, powdery mildew, and Barley yellow dwarf.

Winter Wheat Diseases Update: Fungal Diseases and Barley Yellow Dwarf Developing

Tan spot and powdery mildew as well as barley yellow dwarf were found developing at low levels in winter wheat fields scouted the week of May 24, 2020.

A white and gray, mold-like growth on an ear of sweet corn.

What's Bugging Your Garden? Smut on Sweet Corn

Smut is a fungal disease that can attack the leaves, stalks, tassels, silks and cobs. While many fungal diseases cause spots on the leaves or stems, smut is much more flamboyant.

Green cover crop growing within yellow wheat stubble.

Cover Crop Considerations When Dealing With Soybean Cyst Nematode

With the soybeans being harvested a little earlier than usual this year, some producers are finding themselves making management decisions that include cover crops. For soybean producers dealing with soybean cyst nematode in their fields, selection of cover crops is important since some of these can be hosts for soybean cyst nematode.

Harvested corn field with field pennycress throughout.

Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Plans Should Include Proactive Weed Management

While soybean cyst nematode can be managed through use of resistant varieties and crop rotation, presence of alternative weed hosts can negate the benefits of these practices by providing a host for soybean cyst nematode to continue to accumulate in the soil.

Left: Green soybean plants covered with yellow and brown spots indicative of frogeye leaf spot infection.  Right: Green soybean trifoliate that is covered in brown spots.

Deciding on Fungicide Application to Manage Mid-Late Season Soybean Leaf Fungal Diseases

Soybean leaf diseases can develop in some soybean fields to reach yield-reducing levels. The question that growers often ask is whether it is profitable to apply a fungicide to soybeans at the R3/R4 growth stage in South Dakota.

Three corn diseases. From left: Southern Rust, Bacterial Leaf Streak, and Eyespot.

Southern Rust, Bacterial Leaf Streak, and Eyespot Are Developing in Corn

Southern rust was found in Yankton County, bacterial leaf streak was found in Brule County, and eyespot was found in several fields and counties the week of July 27, 2020.

: Golden colored wheat field with much taller, golden colored, volunteer rye within.

Volunteer Winter Rye Could Be a Source of Ergot in Your Wheat

A few wheat fields scouted this summer were found with volunteer rye infested with ergot. Volunteer rye, in addition to being a weed, can be a source of ergot, which is a concern for winter wheat producers.