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Color-coded drought monitor map of South Dakota. As of July 27, north-central South Dakota is facing extreme drought, while the rest of the state is under abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. A small portion of the southwest has adequate moisture.

Controlling Grasshoppers, Salvaging Drought Corn Kick Off August Drought Hours

August 04, 2021

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 18% of the state is in Extreme Drought (D3), while another 70% follows as Severe Drought (D2).

A blooming prairie strip with a variety of grasses and wildflowers growing throughout.

Using Prairie Strips To Protect South Dakota Water

Prairie strips are a new continuous Conservation Reserve Program practice that integrates native prairie plantings oriented linearly within a row crop field to reduce soil erosion and runoff.

Yellow wheat with grey colored wheat heads.

Sooty Mold: A Saprophytic Fungi Observed in Wheat

While out crop scouting, sooty mold was observed in some South Dakota wheat fields. Sooty mold is a saprophyte, which can be easily mistaken for a disease caused by plant pathogens.

Green and brown grasshopper with two yellow lines that originate on the head and meet on the abdomen.

Will Grasshoppers Be an Issue for Winter Wheat Emergence in 2021?

Grasshoppers were an issue in some areas of South Dakota during 2020 and continue to be an issue for several parts of the state in 2021. Drought conditions throughout the state aren’t helping, as grasshopper populations are limited on available food.

Several bottles of different hot sauces arranged on a counter.

How to Make a Safe Hot Sauce

Hot sauces can be made to with a combination of several different ingredients to give unique flavors and heat that consumers enjoy. There are many considerations that should be made on how hot sauces are processed, formulated and packaged.

A side-by-side comparison of two oat varietes. The one on the right has crown rust developing on it.

Utilize a Fungicide For Crown Rust Prevention in Oats

If you are growing oats this year for grain, be sure to scout and plan a fungicide application to protect the oats from crown rust.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

Optimal Design Drainage Rates for Eastern South Dakota

Fact sheet for the optimal design drainage rates for Eastern South Dakota.

a strand of oats in a field

Using Plant Growth Regulator in Oats Grown for Grain

With growers’ interest emerging, SDSU Extension and research faculty teamed up and initiated a study in 2016 in Northeast SD to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulator. The study was conducted at the SDSU Northeast Research Farm (NERF) near South Shore, SD.

Winter wheat field in early fall with small, green wheat plants emerging.

Winter Wheat Planting Considerations

As we move into fall, winter wheat growers often ask, "What is the best time to plant winter wheat?" If planted too early, winter wheat can develop disease and insect problems. If planted too late, it can get winter killed.

Green cereal rye crop growing throughout a harvested corn field.

Thinking Cover Crops? Winter Rye Between Corn and Soybean

Although the 2021 growing season in has been impacted by widespread drought and record-high temperatures, recent rain events have brought planting cover crops back into the conversation.