Drought: Crops

All Drought: Crops Content

A small black bug with tan margins on its wings resting on a grass seed head.

Drought Conditions Magnifying Impact of Black Grass Bugs

Black grass bugs are a common early-season pest of forage grasses. Drought conditions exacerbate their impact by stressing plants and reducing their ability to tolerate and recover from feeding injury.

South Dakota Mesonet weather station along agricultural land in Beresford, South Dakota.

Building Resilient Farms Amid Increasing Weather Variability

Recent decades have brought a noticeable increase in climate variability in South Dakota. Understanding these trends and adopting adaptive management practices can help producers strengthen the resilience of their operations.

A pasture containing a mixture of grasses and alfalfa.

Managing Alfalfa Under Drought Stress

No one hopes for drought, but if the season should progress into a dry one, these are some considerations to make to ensure the best possible outcome for alfalfa crops.

an image of outdoor weather monitoring equipment in a field

Climate and Weather

View resources to predict, prepare and recover from weather-related events year-round, including the latest drought and flood information.

Color-coded map of South Dakota indicating the number of classes of change in drought conditions from June 3 to September 2, 2025. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Summer 2025 Climate Review and September Outlook

A record wet August in several locations marked the end of South Dakota’s meteorological summer. One challenge coming this fall will be determining how quickly field and crop conditions dry down to allow harvest activities to progress.

A tall, grassy warm-season cover crop blend grown in South Dakota.

Alternative Forage Options During Dry Times

Although there are many factors to take into consideration, annual forages and cover crops can be an excellent tool to boost forage production, reduce fallow acres, and enhance soil health.

Color-coded map showing precipitation outlook for the United States. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

May 2025 Drought and Climate Update

Drought has plagued South Dakota since last year’s growing season. While producers welcome a spell of dry weather for planting spring crops at this time of year, recent moisture will not be enough to carry through the growing season.

Corn plants and scattered weeds emerge from a dry, no-till field.

Dry Conditions May Hinder the Performance of Recently Applied Preemergence Herbicides

If a preemergence herbicide does not receive an activating rainfall, generally 0.5 to 1 inch of rain, many weeds will emerge, as the herbicide remains on the soil surface.

2025 Rangeland Grasshopper Hazard map. Photo Courtesy of USDA APHIS, PPQ. ALT TEXT: Map of South Dakota of Northern Great Plains and the Western United States. Colors indicate the number of grasshoppers per square yard in each of the sampled locations. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2025

In 2025, it is likely that grasshopper populations will once again reach levels capable of causing issues in some areas of the state. Scouting should begin shortly after planting in areas where they were problematic in 2024 and continue throughout the growing season.

A small black bug with tan margins on its wings resting on a grass seed head.

Black Grass Bug Activity Ramping Up

Black grass bugs feed on fresh green growth, which can result in stunted plants and decreased forage quality. Monitoring and potential management of black grass bugs will be of increased importance this spring, especially if drought persists.