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Crop Management

All Crop Management Content

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.

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.

Green leaves on a buckthorn tree covered with crusty spots of bright orange crown rust inoculum.

Oats Crown Rust Inoculum Abundant This Year

Crown rust is the most important fungal disease of oats in South Dakota. In years with heavy disease pressure, susceptible cultivars can have over 80% yield loss due to crown rust. The presence of crown rust inoculum on buckthorns can be an indication of the likely risk for crown rust to develop during the growing season. Buckthorns scouted recently were loaded with crown rust inoculum.

oats

2017-2018 Multi-State Organic Oat Variety Trial Results

The tight production margins currently present in agriculture have increased interest in growing organic oats.

oats

Oat Variety Trial Results

In 2023, oat variety trials were planted at 7 locations and a regional summary in South Dakota.

A sprawling green field of field pea plantings

Field Pea Variety Trial Results

In 2023, field pea trials were planted at different locations in South Dakota.

Bright-yellow sunflowers growing in a field.

Sunflower Hybrid Variety Trial Results

In 2023, sunflower trials were planted at two locations in South Dakota.

A sprawling sorghum field ready for harvest

Sorghum Trial Results

In 2022, sorghum trials were conducted in 2 location in South Dakota.