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large multi-row sprayer adding chemicals to a field

Early Season Insecticide Applications in Wheat

Many wheat producers in South Dakota have adopted more intensive management practices in the last few years, including an early season application of fungicide and, in some cases, insecticide.

Sunset over two grain bins in a field.

Inspecting Grain Bins After a Windstorm

Due to their high profile and light structure, metal grain bins are highly susceptible to wind damage. View a step-by-step guide for inspecting them in the aftermath of a windstorm.

A pile of brown wheat seeds

Fungicide Seed Treatments for Winter Wheat

As producers are preparing to plant winter wheat, one of the decisions to make is whether to use a fungicide seed treatment, and if the answer is yes, which product to use.

A hand examining a wheat plant in a wheat field

Improving Protein Content in Wheat

Wheat producers in South Dakota always strive to grow a premium product. Quality in wheat often depends on test weight and protein content.

A yellowing soybean plant with brown spots on the leaves.

Soybean Diseases Update

A few soybean fields scouted had between low to moderate levels of brown spot (also known as Septoria leaf spot). Soybean planted into soybean stubble had elevated levels of brown spot.

soybean field with white mold

Late-Season Soybean Diseases: Know what’s killing your soybeans

Late-season soybean diseases can sometimes be mistaken for natural senescence. A closer look at the stems and roots of dying plants and the pattern displayed by dead plants in the field may reveal root or stem rots going on. In order to devise effective management practices for future soybean seasons, it is important to determine the cause of early soybean plants death.

Oats growing in a no-till field.

Planting Considerations for Oats in South Dakota

South Dakota is a leading oat producer in the United States. Learn some important oat planting tips, including timing, variety selection, seeding rate and fertilizer management.

A soybean field with notisable yellowing and browning on a section of plants.

Replanting Considerations

Every season weather events such as hail or flooding can damage or destroy previously planted crops in all or in portions of fields. In May or even early June, many producers will replant these areas. As the end of June approaches, the window for replanting narrows and producers may want to do a more careful evaluation of whether or not to replant.

Map of South Dakota with dot-plots indicating 24-hour soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth for various locations throughout South Dakota. Data from Mesonet.sdstate.edu

Delayed Planting Due to Soil Temperatures?

Although it can be tempting to get a head start with row crops, it's important to be mindful of soil temperatures and the risks associated with planting early.

several small green leaves

Soybean Pests: Bean Leaf Beetles and Bean Pod Mottle Virus

With the number of bean leaf beetle observations in soybean fields during 2016, the need for monitoring soybean for Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) development increases. Bean pod mottle virus was first identified in South Dakota in 1998, and is recognized as a very economically important disease in soybean due to the potential for it to cause devastating losses to soybean yields.