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Cattle grazing drought-stressed rangeland in western South Dakota.

Adaptive Management: One Strategy To Increase Your Operation’s Flexibility and Resiliency

Adaptive management is a strategy that livestock producers can use to manage year-to-year variability in forage production and build drought resiliency for their operations.

Map of South Dakota showing divisional precipitation rankings. For a complete description, call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

2020 Climate Summary

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations’s National Center for Environmental Information, 2020 ranked as the 21st driest and the 18th warmest year for South Dakota.

Group of mixed cattle grazing drought-stressed pasture.

SDSU Extension Provides Drought Management Resources

June 08, 2022

The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to classify parts of South Dakota in some level of drought. SDSU Extension has a variety of tools and resources to assist producers with drought decision making.

Four photos showing a derecho approaching the SDSU campus in Brookings, South Dakota.

What is a derecho?

In the aftermath of the May 12, 2022 derecho that impacted eastern South Dakota, many are wondering what derechos are and what conditions can cause them.

United States Map showing precipitation outlook for June through August 2022. For assistance reading this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

2022 Summer Climate and Drought Outlook

On May 19, the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released their temperature and precipitation outlooks for June and the summer season ahead. See a full report of what to expect for the summer of 2022.

Color-coded map of the United States showing precipitation outlook for April to June 2022.

Drought Concerns Continue With 2022 Spring Climate Outlook

March 23, 2022

The climate outlook for spring 2022 has increased concern for drought in South Dakota, with the March 17 U.S. Drought Monitor showing two-thirds of the state in either moderate or severe drought.

Group of farmers and ranchers attending a drought meeting.

SDSU Extension to Host Drought Management Meetings

April 29, 2022

SDSU Extension will host drought management meetings across South Dakota May 10-12.

Color-coded map of the United States showing precipitation outlook for May 2022. The majority of South Dakota is predicted to have above-average precipitation.

May 2022 Drought and Climate Outlook

The May climate outlook favors cooler and wetter than average conditions. It is possible producers could experience some short-term drought relief, with a return to drought or re-intensifying in the mid-summer season.

Image showing locations of the five South Dakota reservoirs managed by the US BOR

Spring Storms Help Bureau of Reclamation Reservoirs in Northwestern South Dakota

While the moisture was needed, the systems were severe with blizzard conditions occurring from multi-day, strong-gusting winds across the area.

A heavily tilled field showing signs of severe topsoil loss due to erosion. Next to it, there is a no-till field with no noticeable signs of erosion.

Multiple Rounds of Severe Weather Bring Heavy Rainfall, High Winds, and Soil Erosion

A combination of tillage, no residue, and lack of crop canopy can lead to severe erosion and topsoil loss in the face of extreme weather patterns in the spring. The most effective strategy for producers to adapt to these extreme events is to improve soil health.