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Left: Brown moth with light markings present on a green leaf. Right: Brown moth with light markings present.

Army Cutworm Moths Among the Recently Reported Western Bean Cutworm Moths

Last week, we published an article about the presence of western bean cutworm moths being very abundant throughout Central and Western South Dakota. However, when talking with an entomologist from a neighboring state, they suggested the moths could also be army cutworm moths.

Several wrapped bales of hay lined up near a barn.

Round Bale Storage Conservation

Fact sheet discussing conservation of round bale storage.

Dark colored caterpillar feeding on wheat head.

Scout for True Armyworms in Oats and Wheat

During most years, we start worrying about true armyworm activity in wheat fields in mid-July. However, the strong southerly winds that we experienced during the last two weeks pushed several insect pests north ahead of their normal schedule

Map of South Dakota showing Fusarium head blight risk. Green indicates low risk, yellow moderate risk, and red high risk. Most of the state is green except for scattered, yellow areas within Edmunds, Faulk, Hyde, Hand, Buffalo, Jerauld, Brule, Aurora, Turner, Lincoln, McCook, Lake, Brookings, and Kingsbury counties. Some red, high risk areas are in Buffalo, Brule, Hyde, and Minnehaha counties.

Fusarium Head Blight Predicted Risk for Spring Wheat

Most of the spring wheat is at or will soon be at flowering. One disease that can develop in wheat at this growth stage is fusarium head blight (FHB or scab).

Diseases on three different wheat plants. From the left: powdery mildew, fusarium head blight, and leaf rust.

Winter Wheat Diseases Update

Powdery mildew, fusarium head blight and leaf rust were observed in a few winter wheat fields recently scouted. The recent rainfall showers and warm temperatures have favored these diseases to develop in winter wheat.

A brown and black cow standing in a feedlot with flies on its face.

Summer Fly Control in Feedlots

Just as longer days mark the beginning of summer, so does the arrival of increased number of flies in feedlots. Flies are not only are an annoyance, they can reduce performance and worsen heat stress. Successful control strategies start with sanitation.

A series of three creep feeders placed on an open range. Courtesy: Robin Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Creep Feeding Options: Will it Pay?

Creep-feeding should be evaluated on yearly basis to determine if it will provide production and economic benefits to the operation.

A patty of dung with several holes in it and grass growing through it. It has been broken down by dung beetles.

Dung Beetles and Other Insects Can Help Breakdown Dung and Control Pests

This article summarizes findings related to dung beetle ecology and how dung beetles advance the breakdown of dung pats.

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.

Green and yellow grasshopper resting on a head of wheat.

Grasshoppers Are Causing Concerns in Close-to-Harvest Winter Wheat

During the end of last week, we received reports of grasshoppers feeding on winter wheat that was close to being ready to harvest. One of the questions with the report was, “What insecticide can be sprayed that won’t delay harvest?”