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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.

A medium-sized shrub with many upright stems next to a white shed

Woody Weeds: Tatarian Honeysuckle

Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) was brought to North America from Asia in the mid-18th century for ornamental uses. In South Dakota it was also used as a windbreak species until the 1980s.

A heavily tilled field showing signs of severe topsoil loss due to erosion. Next to it, there is a no-till field with no noticeable signs of erosion.

Multiple Rounds of Severe Weather Bring Heavy Rainfall, High Winds, and Soil Erosion

A combination of tillage, no residue, and lack of crop canopy can lead to severe erosion and topsoil loss in the face of extreme weather patterns in the spring. The most effective strategy for producers to adapt to these extreme events is to improve soil health.

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.

Corn plants with recently emerged tassel and ear in a field.

Flowering in Corn

Corn is at or near the most critical growth condition. Successful flowering and pollination are very important in determining the fate of the kernel setting and development. This article summarizes the pollination process and the effects of dry, hot conditions on pollination.

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?”

Looking down onto a Palmer amaranth plant one sees how the whorled leaves are designed to receive sunlight.

Check Fields for Palmer Amaranth

Palmer amaranth, is an aggressive weed from the pigweed family, which has been reported with increasing frequency in recent years around Central South Dakota.