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A field of flowering alfalfa.

Nitrate QuikTest for Forages

The Nitrate QuikTest for Forages is available at various SDSU Extension locations and veterinary clinics across the state and is designed to be used with standing forages prior to harvesting for hay or grazing.

Cream mite on a green-colored caterpillar.

Straw Itch Mites

Straw itch mites, also known as hay mites or grain mites, can be a major problem when present in hay or grain. The best way to avoid a straw itch mite infestation is to keep commodities at low moisture levels and bale straw when it is thoroughly dry.

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).

tractor near pile of harvested silage

Salvaging for Silage: Tips to Minimize Loss, Maximize Value

August 09, 2021

With South Dakota rangeland and pastures rated 84% poor to very poor across the state, many cattle producers may be thinking about putting up silage for a feed source.

Ranchers viewing USDA disaster assistance information on a computer in a home office.

Drought Assistance Questions Answered

Dry conditions persist across the state, and many new questions are being asked regarding the federal assistance programs available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

Two producers and a conservation agent moving cattle in a grassland area.

Drought Assistance From USDA: CRP Haying and Grazing

As this year’s drought intensifies, folks are quickly running short of forage. Due to the D2 Drought Monitor classification, most South Dakota counties qualify for Conservation Reserve Program haying and grazing for emergency and non-emergency use.

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.

Several bales of hay stacked in a shed.

Planning Forage Needs

Inventorying and planning for hay and other forage feed needs is essential every year, especially when production is uncertain due to drought or excess moisture.

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.

Hand examining drought-stressed soybeans in the field.

Salvaging Drought-Stressed Soybeans as Feed

One of the more popular questions we’ve been receiving lately involves using soybeans as forage. Although the soybeans planted for grain are not typically bred for forage use, we can salvage the crop for said forage if need be.