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A large soybean field being harvested. About half the field is harvested.

Soybean Investigations: Research on Your Farm Seeks Farmer Cooperators

SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council are seeking South Dakota Soybean Growers willing to participate in a farmer-led on-farm strip trial research program.

Green winter wheat field

Crop Hour

SDSU Extension will deliver a series of virtual Crop Hour webinars starting January 9 through March 7, 2024, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CST.

A pod sprouting from a healthy soybean plant.

Late-Season Nitrogen For Soybean?

Some South Dakota soybean fields that were planted early and have had sufficient moisture have reached early pod setting stage (R3) and are looking good.

Three grain bins on the edge of a snow-covered field.

Forecasted Cold Temperatures Can Be Used To Cool Down Stored Grain

If temperatures are forecasted as being well below freezing, it would probably be a good time to start thinking about cooling stored grain. Cooling grain reduces the activity of stored grain insect pests and suppresses any mold growth that may otherwise occur.

A young man driving a soil sampling tool into a soybean field

Consider SCN Sampling This Spring 

Soybean cyst nematode management starts with a soil test to determine the presence or absence of this nematode in the soil.

A group of white, transparent, and orange colored larva on a soybean stem

Gall Midge Larvae in Soybean Stems

Gall midge larvae were observed recently in soybean stems from a field in South Dakota. These insects were found under the epidermis of the stem that was slightly above the soil line.

Yellow and brown streaks on a winter wheat leaf indicative of bacterial leaf streak symptoms.

Bacterial Leaf Streak Developing at Low Level in Winter Wheat

A few winter wheat fields were found with bacterial leaf streak starting to develop at low levels. Bacterial leaf streak is usually observed starting from flag leaf growth stage. It can be severe on the upper leaves when there is prolonged leaf wetness resulting from frequent rains.

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.

Map of South Dakota showing Fusarium head blight risk. Green indicates low risk, yellow moderate risk, and red high risk. Most of the state is green except for scattered, yellow areas within Edmunds, Faulk, Hyde, Hand, Buffalo, Jerauld, Brule, Aurora, Turner, Lincoln, McCook, Lake, Brookings, and Kingsbury counties. Some red, high risk areas are in Buffalo, Brule, Hyde, and Minnehaha counties.

Fusarium Head Blight Predicted Risk for Spring Wheat

Most of the spring wheat is at or will soon be at flowering. One disease that can develop in wheat at this growth stage is fusarium head blight (FHB or scab).

Diseases on three different wheat plants. From the left: powdery mildew, fusarium head blight, and leaf rust.

Winter Wheat Diseases Update

Powdery mildew, fusarium head blight and leaf rust were observed in a few winter wheat fields recently scouted. The recent rainfall showers and warm temperatures have favored these diseases to develop in winter wheat.