Cover Crops

All Cover Crops Content

Rows of vegetables are shown

SDSU Extension, SD Specialty Producers Association to host soil, cover crop field day

August 23, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association invite the public to attend a Soil Health and Cover Crop Field Day for vegetable growers.

Left: Drill-planted cereal rye cover crop. Right: Pre-harvest broadcast cereal rye cover crop.

Choosing Whether to Preharvest Broadcast Vs. Post-Harvest Drill Cover Crops

Cover crops are frequently planted following the harvest of the grain commodity crops. A decision for producers to make is to whether to preharvest broadcast or postharvest drill the cover crop.

An expert stands in front of a corn field and speaks to attendees of a field day

SDSU Extension co-hosting virtual Forage Field Day

August 02, 2024

Forage Field Day brings together experts, producers, and industry professionals to provide panel discussions and presentations on forage-related topics. Originally scheduled to be held in Concord, Nebraska, event organizers moved to a virtual-only event to accommodate a wider audience.

A group of people sits on an open trailer and listens to a man giving a presentation in front of a field

SDSU Extension, Southeast Research Farm to host organic field day

July 26, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and the SDSU Southeast Research Farm invite anyone interested in growing organic vegetables and field crops to an educational, hands-on field day.

A green tractor, pulling a red, high-clearance planter through a field of emerging corn.

Cover Crops in Modern Agriculture

Fact sheet on cover crops in modern agriculture.

Tractor planting seed in a no-till field.

Conservation Practices Increasing in South Dakota

The recently released Agricultural Census data of 2022 shows that the share of cropland acres under conservation practices has continued to increase in South Dakota.

green plant growing in a field with small grains growing on the ends

Proso Millet Trial Results

In 2020, proso millet trials were conducted in 1 location in South Dakota.

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.

A green cover crop mixture grows on a calm day; mainly consisting of oats and peas.

Buying or Selling Oats for a Cover Crop? Be Sure to Follow the Rules

As a challenging 2019 row crop planting season wraps up in South Dakota, many producers are looking to plant cover crops on unplanted acres. One popular cool-season grass cover crop is oats. Most oats in South Dakota are grown as certified varieties, and it is important to be aware of the legal ramifications behind purchasing oat seed for use as a cover crop.

fresh vegetables including onions, potatoes, lettuce and squash are shown piled on a counter

SDSU Extension to host short educational course on high tunnels

September 29, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will host a two-day High Tunnel Short Course on Oct. 16-17 at the Outdoor Campus – West in Rapid City.