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A few wheat plants showing heavy yellowing mosaic symptoms due to Wheat streak mosaic virus.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Disease Developing in Winter Wheat

Although the majority of winter wheat in the state is rated good to excellent in the recent USDA-NASS report, a few winter wheat fields in Central South Dakota have been diagnosed with wheat streak mosaic disease (WSMD) caused by wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV).

A soybean field showing plants in a circular pattern killed charcoal rot.

Scout for Charcoal Rot in Early Senescing Parts of the Field

The drought conditions in the past few weeks have led to some soybean fields senescing early. However, some of the early senescing may be due charcoal rot.

A map of South Dakota counties shaded to indicate the year for which the soybean cyst nematode was detected.

HG Type Testing: A Management Strategy for Soybean Cyst Nematode Control

Have you noticed lower soybean yielding areas in your field? Soybean cyst nematode may be to blame. Fall, and especially after soybean harvest, is the best time to sample soil and have it tested for soybean cyst nematode.

ripe and unripe tomatoes tipping a cage over

Wet Weather Leads to Tomato Problems

Most of the questions that have been coming in lately, and also earlier this summer, relate to tomato problems. Despite early predictions that this summer was going to be dry, many areas have received above average rainfall with many parts of South Dakota far exceeding typical rainfall amounts in the month of August. Many gardeners received 5 to 8” of rain or more in the first three weeks of August alone.

Left: A corn ear showing Gibberella ear rot symptoms. Right: A prematurely dried corn stalk split to reveal pith disintegration due to stalk rot.

Corn Ear Rots and Stalk Rots: The Last Issues To Check for in Corn Before Combining

Before combining corn, it is recommended to scout your field for corn ear rots and stalk rots. It is important to scout corn fields for these two issues in order to make timely decisions on corn combining.

Map showing the risk of Fusarium head blight with green equaling no risk, yellow equaling moderate risk, and red equaling high risk. Much of the eastern half of South Dakota is red.

The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Tool

The Fusarium head blight prediction tool, available through Penn State University and Mesonet at SDState, uses weather variables to predict the risk for Fusarium head blight in wheat.

Yellow and green leaf of oats. Yellowing color is a symptom of Barley yellow dwarf virus.

Barley Yellow Dwarf Developing in Oats

A few oat fields that were recently scouted were found to have barley yellow dwarf virus infected plants. The infected plants were few and scattered throughout the oat fields.

Green winter wheat leaf with yellow-orange strips indicative of stripe rust.

Stripe Rust Found in Winter Wheat at Low Severity

Stripe rust was observed in the crop performance trials at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm in Hughes County and at Ideal in Tripp County. At both locations, stripe rust was at a low severity.

A field of flowering alfalfa.

Precautions for Grazing Weevil-Infested Alfalfa

Alfalfa weevil populations are high this year, creating challenges for producers. Questions have arisen on how to get some value out of the forage by grazing it rather than putting it up for hay.

A red combine harvesting wheat in a vast, open wheat field.

Best Management Practices for Wheat Production

The Wheat Best Management Practices manual offers a comprehensive guide for optimizing yields, maximizing profits and ensuring long-term sustainability in wheat production.