Grassland

All Grassland Content

An orange plastic hoop placed around a portion of tall grass on a range to provide a measurement.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure: Range Record Keeping

Range record keeping helps detect and demonstrate landscape changes that have a direct impact on your ability to maintain or grow your herd.

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 2026

Almost every year in South Dakota there is a risk that grasshopper populations will reach levels capable of causing issues for producers. Unfortunately, our prediction for the 2026 growing season won’t change the trend.

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.

Young absinth wormwood, Canada thistle, and leafy spurge plants emerging.

Start Management Plans Now: Absinth wormwood, Canada thistle and leafy spurge have emerged and are starting to grow

Absinth wormwood, Canada thistle and leafy spurge have emerged and are growing in eastern South Dakota. If not effectively managed, these weeds can displace desirable forage in pasture and rangeland.

Natural Resources & Conservation

South Dakota is home to many unique land, water and wildlife resources. Our experts and partners offer research-based information through to help people enjoy, preserve and profit from these natural resources.

Group of Rangeland and Soils Day competitors observing grassland conditions during the competiton.

Judging South Dakota Rangelands for Livestock and Wildlife Values

This guide is for high school age students to prepare for range judging contests in South Dakota.

Herd of bison behind a fencline in a pasture.

Getting Started With Bison Ranching

While bison ranching has some similarities with cattle ranching, there are significant differences that must be accounted for to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability.

A man in a yellow shirt kneels in a pasture with a group of youth and teenagers standing in a circle around him

A Guide to South Dakota's Rangeland and Soil Days

Fact sheet to provide an overview of the South Dakota Rangeland and Soil Days program. This also includes detailed guidelines and contest information.

grass with field bindweed, a viny green weed with white flowers

Weed Control: Noxious Weeds

Weed control recommendations for noxious weeds in South Dakota.

Vast, rolling rangeland with spring plant growth.

SDSU Extension invites public to 2026 SD Grasslands Summit

February 05, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is inviting everyone interested in grasslands to attend the 2026 South Dakota Grasslands Summit on March 3-4 in Mitchell.