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Thistle Caterpillars Showing Up on Canada Thistle
This week we received reports of caterpillars feeding on Canada thistle. After taking a look at the caterpillars, we determined that they are thistle caterpillars. However, we typically don’t see thistle caterpillar activity in S.D. until July or August. So why are they showing up so early this year?
July 2019 Climate Outlook: Challenges Continue
This year’s seasonal pattern of wetter than average conditions is projected to continue through July and the rest of the summer season. The latest climate outlook, released June 20, 2019, shows an increased chance of wetter than average conditions in the next one to three months for the state of South Dakota.
Spring Lawn Care
It’s spring, and that means it's time to start thinking about your lawn! Learn some tips for giving your lawn a head start this season, including recommendations for aeration, fertilizers, weed control and mowing!
Herbicide Damage to Fruits and Vegetables
Each year in early summer, many growers begin to notice distorted leaves on their fruits, vegetables, and crops. Most commonly the cause is a herbicide application to a nearby field.
Soybean Production: Cost-effective pest management practices
Chemicals were one of the most expensive individual costs in soybean production, behind only to seed in the non-land cost category. The average cash-rent soybean production farms incurred a crop chemical cost of $39/ac in 2015, an 88% increase from 2010.
Invasive Garden Plants: Is That a Weed?
While we generally consider invasive plants like crabgrass, dandelions, and purslane as weeds, just about any plant can be considered a weed when it's in the wrong location.
Reed Canary Grass: Possible Prussic Acid & Alkaloid Issues
Prussic acid issues with reed canary grass are poorly understood and may go unrecognized if they occur. This article addresses a little-known but interesting aspect of the biology of reed canary grass.
Spring Annual Weeds
There are several weeds that pop up very early in the spring and start flowering before most other plants have shown any signs of growth. Learn about some common varieties to look out for.
Sweet Clover Poisoning
Hay that contains sweet clover can be an excellent feed as long as the dicoumarol level is known and feeding management is used to prevent poisoning.
Effects of Spring Flooding on Weed Seed Movement
How does spring flooding impact weed seed movement and dispersal? The flooding that is occurring from spring snow melt may cause weed seeds that are on the soil surface or eroded soil to move, and possibly long distances.