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Top: Army cutworm caterpillar. Bottom: Pale western cutworm caterpillar.

Monitor Wheat for Early-Season Cutworm Activity

It's finally warming up in South Dakota, and insect activity in wheat fields will be increasing. For wheat, a couple of early-season pests that may already be active are the army cutworm and the pale western cutworm.

Grain bin fan with a plywood cover installed on the exterior.

Check Your Bins This Spring

As it warms up this spring, don’t forget to check the bins. Grain bins work as solar heat collectors, and the grain inside of them may be much warmer than expected.

A farmer watching the sun rise in a bare, unplanted field.

Crop Tolerance to Soil Herbicide Residual

Some herbicides can persist in soil, especially dry soil. Herbicide carryover could be an issue in 2021 across the state depending upon last year’s moisture levels and field conditions.

Winter wheat plants at the tillering growth stage with leaves yellowing as a result of wheat streak mosaic virus infection.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Developing in Winter Wheat Fields

A few winter wheat fields in central South Dakota have been found with wheat streak mosaic disease. Incidence of this disease varied from a few plants to large portions of the field with yellowing leaves.

Gray caterpillar with dark markings, white splotches and a white stripe running down the middle of its back.

It’s Time to Scout Alfalfa for Cutworms

One of the earliest insect pests that can be found in South Dakota’s alfalfa fields are army cutworms. Injury from cutworms can sometimes be overlooked until large patches of an alfalfa field have been “cut.”

Young corn emerging in a no-till field.

Corn Planting Populations: A Deeper Dive

Corn is grown all across South Dakota, and the optimal target population varies depending on location. In a nutshell, there is a lot more to seeding population selection than what meets the eye.

Field with field peas and blue sky with fluffy white clouds

Production and Utilization of Field Peas in South Dakota

Guide to field pea production and utilization in South Dakota

a field of green plants

SDSU Extension to Host Final Pesticide Education Opportunity

March 31, 2021

As opportunities to obtain 2021 Private Applicator Certification in South Dakota wind down, SDSU Extension is offering a final online pesticide education course Thursday, April 8 from 6–9 p.m. CST.

Rows of soybean growing in corn residue in a diverse, no-till crop rotation.

Economics of Different Crop Rotation Systems in South Dakota

Economic returns are an important factor to consider when selecting crop rotation systems.

Female rancher standing in front of a cowherd.

The Power of Women as AgVocates Rescheduled to March 4 and 5

February 08, 2022

The Power of Women as AgVocates Conference has been rescheduled for March 4-5, 2022 in Fort Pierre, South Dakota at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center and the Missouri Avenue Event Center in Pierre.