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Two photos of oat plants exhibiting fusarium root and crown rot. Left: An oat tiller with pinkish color on the crown and first node indicative of Fusarium root and crown rot. Right: Green oat plant with yellow, dry markings throughout indicative of Fusarium root and crown rot.

Fusarium Crown and Root Rot Observed in Oats

Some oat fields are showing plants wilting with tillers dying prematurely and heads looking bleached. Inspecting the crown and sub-crown area reveals the discoloration and rotting and sometimes a pinkish color can be observed. These are typical symptoms of Fusarium root and crown rot.

Mosquito with darker coloration and mosquito with white band on proboscis.

Know Your West Nile Virus Vectors

In some areas of South Dakota, recent precipitation has led to an increase in mosquito activity. To reduce the chances of contracting West Nile Virus, it is important to understand the behavior of the mosquitos capable of vectoring it.

Blueberries inside a plastic storage container.

Have Excess Produce? Freeze It!

Freezing is one of the easiest forms of preserving food. It reduces food waste, saves money and allows you to have quick quality produce on hand at all times. The

A pressure dial for home canning with altitude adjustments for zones 1 through 3.

Steam Canning

Steam canning is a quick and simple method of preserving produce using steam. While steam canning was previously not an evidence-based practice, recent research indicates steam canning may be a safe home food preservation method for canning naturally acidified foods.

Several jars of canned jellies lined up on a pantry shelf.

Canning Jams and Jellies

Sweet fruit products like jelly, jam, preserves, conserves and marmalades are jellied or thickened and preserved by sugar. The differences between the fruit products are categorized by the way they are prepared, proportions of fruit, pectin, acid and sugar in the mixture and the method of cooking.

A mostly green corn leaf that is in brown to yellow markings caused by southern rust.

Is a Fungicide Applied at Tasseling Profitable in Corn?

Corn is currently at tasseling/silking across the state. This is usually the growth stage when a fungicide is applied to control fungal diseases.

Small black fly on pale skin.

Monitor Livestock, Pets and Yourself for Eye Gnat Activity

While being outside this week, I noticed a lot of small gnats flying around my legs and really bothering my dogs. I caught a few and identified them as eye gnats. Although this pest is considered a nuisance in most cases, it is capable of transmitting diseases and pathogens.

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.

NOAA climate map with preciptation outlook as of July 12, 2020. Most of South Dakota is predicted to have average to above average precipitation.

Late Summer 2020 Climate Outlook

Drought concerns in South Dakota may be relieved later this summer, according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal outlook released this week.

soybean pods

2019 Soybean Fungicide Field Trials Summary

This document contains results of soybean field trials conducted during the 2019 growing season to evaluate foliar fungicides to manage various soybean diseases.