Skip to main content

Search

Grain storage bin.

Steps to Prevent Stored Grain Infestations

As wheat harvest is underway it is important to ensure that grain bins are prepared in the best possible manner to prevent insect infestations. There are seven steps that can be taken to help reduce the chances of having infested grain.

Field of mixed cover crops containing oats.

Cover Crop Considerations for 2020

Producers across South Dakota are harvesting small grains. These crops provide an excellent window for adding a cover crop into your rotation.

Rancher holding a notepad beside a feed bunk.

Capitalizing on Cow Costs

Feeding cows is one area of consideration when analyzing the cost of keeping a cow through her production year. Through small management choices, we can decrease the cost of the cow while maximizing on opportunities.

Brown and white cow grazing on standing cornstalks

Considerations for Grazing Standing Corn

Grazing standing corn is a viable option to supply nutrients to livestock. However, mitigating risk is critical to ensure healthy animals and optimize crops.

From left: Wheat plants killed by common root rot. Wheat plants with bleached heads due to Take-all disease. Bleached wheat heads due to stem maggot feeding.

Differentiating Between Wheat Head Diseases and Disorders

Several diseases and disorders can develop in wheat heads. Learn the symptoms of several common disease and insect issues being observed in South Dakota wheat this growing season.

Two black angus cattle grazing on a variety of grasses.

Grass-Fed Beef: Understanding Terminology in Conventionally Raised Beef and Grass-Fed Beef

What makes grass-fed beef different from conventionally raised beef? This is perhaps the most-common and sometimes most-complex question that arises amongst those hoping to understand the similarities and differences between conventional and grass-fed beef.

Herd of mixed cattle grazing in a well-kept pasture.

Grass-Fed Beef: Market Share of Grass-Fed Beef

So, how significant is the grass-fed beef industry in America? About four percent of U.S. beef retail and food service sales is comprised by grass-fed beef with a value of roughly $4 billion.

Herd of black angus cattle grazing in a well-managed, grassland area.

Grass-Fed Beef: Production Costs, Quality, Voluntary Certifications and Marketing

Generally speaking, grass-fed beef producers are challenged with production expenses that are greater than those of conventionally raised beef. However, profit margins can be greater than those of conventionally raised beef if marketed wisely and creatively.

Wheat head with a green aphid, aphid mummies and a parasitized aphid.

English Grain Aphids Observed in Wheat

Reports of aphid populations in wheat fields have been slowly increasing in the past week. Most of these populations are well below the economic threshold, but there is a potential for them to increase.

It’s Time To Start Scouting for True Armyworm Caterpillars in Wheat

This week, we collected quite a few true armyworm moths from our traps around eastern South Dakota. That means that true armyworm caterpillars will probably be showing up soon. To play it safe, scouting should start this week to stay ahead of potential issues.