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Producer inspecting an inventory of farm-raised, frozen beef in a freezer.

Raising Freezer Beef: Meeting Customer Expectations

A variety of factors may lead consumers to purchase beef directly from a producer. When purchasing freezer beef, most consumers expect an eating experience that would be as good or better than buying beef from retail.

Aerial photo of erosion control demonstration project on the campus of South Dakota Mines.

West Dakota Water Development District Looks To Improve Rapid Creek Water Quality Through Stormwater Mitigation and Erosion Control Projects

Two pilot projects initiated by the West Dakota Water Development District are intended to improve water quality in Rapid Creek by reducing suspended sediment loading over time.

Numerous small black beetles feeding on a green leaf.

Flea Beetles Already Active In Gardens

It may seem early, but flea beetles are already active in gardens in South Dakota. Adult beetles feed on leaves and stems, and their feeding will leave behind a multitude of small, irregular holes or pits.

A grub that has an orange colored head and legs and a white body with a dark grey tip at the end. The grub is laying on top of the soil.

Do You Have Grubs in Your Lawn?

We’ve had quite a few calls about dead patches in lawns this spring, which could be a sign of grub activity. If areas of your lawn are not greening up or appear to be dying, it is important to scout to determine if grubs are present.

Small group of beef cattle approaching a pressed mineral block.

Mineral Consumption Calculator

Mineral consumption is key to determining whether or not nutrient requirements are being met. The mineral consumption calculator was developed as a tool to make monitoring and tracking consumption easier.

Variety of cool-season, flowering plants, including: African Daisies, Petunias, Lobelia and Alyssum.

Cool-Season Flowering Annuals for the Garden

Flowering annuals that thrive in the cool weather can bring a gorgeous array of colors, shapes and sizes to your garden for early-season enjoyment! Learn about some great selections for South Dakota gardens.

Vareity of garden plants arranged on a four-wheeled garden cart.

Harden Your Transplants Prior To Planting Your Garden

Hardening plants is an important step that gardeners should not skip. Take the time to harden your plants properly and reap the benefits of sturdy, well-established plants throughout the gardening season!

A picture of a lawn showing a ring of dark green grass in the middle of the lawn due to fungi in the soil.

Fairy Rings in Lawns

Seeing greener grass in circular pattern in your lawn? This is not due to uneven fertilizer application, but rather due to a fungi feeding on decomposing matter and releasing nitrogen in the affected areas.

Two dandelions side by side. The left has a bee foraging on it. The right has a hover fly foraging on it..

Should I Get Rid Of My Dandelions?

While there is much appeal to having a lawn that is free of other plants, there can be benefits to having some early-season diversity. Some weeds that are sprayed out of lawns, including dandelions, can serve as early-season food sources for pollinators.

White butterfly with black markings on wings, resting on a green leaf.

Cabbage White Butterflies Are Here!

Keep an eye out for cabbage white butterflies in your garden. These butterflies lay eggs on the underside of the vegetable leaves. Once the eggs hatch, their caterpillars feed on cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, turnips and radishes.