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Mosquito resting on a dandelion seed head.

West Nile Virus Update: Sept. 17, 2021

The South Dakota Department of Health's latest update indicated that West-Nile-virus-positive mosquitoes were detected in Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Codington, Hand, Hughes, Lincoln and Minnehaha counties in South Dakota.

West Nile Virus Update: Aug. 2, 2021

As of Aug. 2, 2021, the South Dakota Department of Health indicated that West-Nile-virus-positive mosquitoes were detected in Brookings, Codington, Hughes, Lincoln and Brown counties in South Dakota.

Series of trophies on display at a 4-H contest.

South Dakota 4-H Recognizes Volunteers at 2021 State Fair

August 19, 2021

Each summer, individuals who have made significant contributions to county or state 4-H programming are honored through the 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame.

2022 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame Awardee with family.

South Dakota 4-H Recognizes Volunteers during the 2022 State Fair

October 19, 2022

South Dakota 4-H inducted nine individuals into to the 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame and 4-H Shooting Sports Volunteer Hall of Fame on Sunday, Sept. 4, at the 2022 South Dakota State Fair in Huron, South Dakota.

A herd of cattle grazing near a pond on an open range.

Nitrates and Livestock Water Quality

Nitrate poisoning is something we think about with forages such as millet, oats, corn, sorghum, sudan, kochia and others that have been fertilized or if there is a drought, but water can also be a contributing factor.

A stock pond with noticable blue-green algae bloom throughout.

Blue-Green Algae and Livestock

With warmer temperatures, the conditions are right for blue-green algae blooms. Different species of blue-green algae contain various toxins, which can poison livestock, resulting in rapid death.

Factors Affecting Wheat Production Decisions: Producer survey findings

Recent USDA data shows that during the past 3 years acres devoted to wheat production continue declining in both South Dakota and North Dakota (USDA, 2018). South Dakota wheat acres experienced a remarkable decrease of 31.5% during the past 3 years, compared with a relatively mild drop of 16.4% by North Dakota.

Water Use by Plant Stage

Over the growing season, solar radiation, air temperature and plant size are the dominant factors in determining evaporative demand and the rate of water use by wheat. Water use can vary dramatically on a day-to day basis, depending on climate and wheat health.

Close-up of the feet of a man standing on a bathroom scale with a blue towel lying nearby.

Overweight & Obesity: Leading Cancer Risk Factor

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study that links overweight and obesity to 13 different types of cancers.

An older man with his back to the camera looking over a pond.

Brain Health: The Impact of Chronic Stress

Stress affects everyone. Stress is your body’s response to a real or perceived harmful situation.