Skip to main content

Search

Wheat plants exhibiting symptoms of tan spot and powdery mildew.

Does Early Fungicide at Tillering Result in a Profitable Yield?

Tan spot and powdery mildew pathogens are two residue-borne pathogens that can infect wheat early in the season. These diseases can lead to poor tillering, and their continued development can lead to yield loss.

A few wheat plants showing heavy yellowing mosaic symptoms due to Wheat streak mosaic virus.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Disease Developing in Winter Wheat

Although the majority of winter wheat in the state is rated good to excellent in the recent USDA-NASS report, a few winter wheat fields in Central South Dakota have been diagnosed with wheat streak mosaic disease (WSMD) caused by wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV).

Scheduling Bedding Plants

Fall is the best time to start scheduling your bedding plant production. Start planning early for next year’s production.

Map showing the risk of Fusarium head blight with green equaling no risk, yellow equaling moderate risk, and red equaling high risk. Much of the eastern half of South Dakota is red.

The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Tool

The Fusarium head blight prediction tool, available through Penn State University and Mesonet at SDState, uses weather variables to predict the risk for Fusarium head blight in wheat.

Green winter wheat leaf with yellow-orange strips indicative of stripe rust.

Stripe Rust Found in Winter Wheat at Low Severity

Stripe rust was observed in the crop performance trials at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm in Hughes County and at Ideal in Tripp County. At both locations, stripe rust was at a low severity.

A red combine harvesting wheat in a vast, open wheat field.

Best Management Practices for Wheat Production

The Wheat Best Management Practices manual offers a comprehensive guide for optimizing yields, maximizing profits and ensuring long-term sustainability in wheat production.

SDSU Extension Winter Wheat Variety trials. One plot is showing more yellowing and stress than other plots.

Low Temperature Effects on Winter Wheat

Low temperatures during the early morning hours of May 9–11, 2020 may have had detrimental effects on winter wheat in some areas of South Dakota. However, cooler spring temperatures that have slowed the winter wheat development this year may have actually been beneficial to S.D. producers, as later-maturing wheat is not as susceptible to injury from freezing temperatures.

aerial view of South Dakota farm and surrounding land

Barley Variety Trial Results

In 2019, Barley trial was planted at one location in South Dakota.

Three wheat plants exhibiting disease symptoms. From left: Tan spot, powdery mildew, and Barley yellow dwarf.

Winter Wheat Diseases Update: Fungal Diseases and Barley Yellow Dwarf Developing

Tan spot and powdery mildew as well as barley yellow dwarf were found developing at low levels in winter wheat fields scouted the week of May 24, 2020.

Grain storage bin.

Steps to Prevent Stored Grain Infestations

As wheat harvest is underway it is important to ensure that grain bins are prepared in the best possible manner to prevent insect infestations. There are seven steps that can be taken to help reduce the chances of having infested grain.