Oilseed

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Numerous grayish-brown bugs gathering on a green stem.

Wet Spring Brings Surge of False Chinch Bugs

Within the past week, large populations of false chinch bugs have been reported across western South Dakota. In high numbers, these pests can pose a threat to Brassica plants.

Small black and yellow beetle feeding on the green leaf of a canola plant.

Don’t Forget to Scout Canola for Flea Beetles

Canola emergence is well underway and ahead of emergence at this time in 2023. There are three species of flea beetles that commonly infest canola and feed on the leaves.

Sunflower & Oilseeds

There are times when sunflower producers need unbiased answers. That’s what we are here for.

Gray beetle with long antennae that are alternating white and black pattern on green leaf petiole.

Another Year of Dectes Stem Borer Issues in Sunflower?

Based on the current drought conditions in our sunflower production areas, it is likely that Dectes stem borer will cause issues earlier than normal in the areas experiencing drought.

Brown to orange worm like insect larvae on brown soil.

Wireworms Causing Problems in South Dakota Sunflowers

Some sunflowers in South Dakota are currently being attacked by wireworms. Wireworms are the larvae of click beetles, which are easily observed throughout the summer.

A John Deere Max Emerge XP corn planter behind a Case IH Magnum 335 with AFS precision farming system.

When precision agriculture comes into a conversation a few questions arise. Three of those questions might be: What is precision agriculture? How does precision agriculture make our farm more profitable? What do I do with all this data?

A farmer watching the sun rise in a bare, unplanted field.

Crop Tolerance to Soil Herbicide Residual

Some herbicides can persist in soil, especially dry soil. Herbicide carryover could be an issue in 2021 across the state depending upon last year’s moisture levels and field conditions.

Spring and Winter Camelina in South Dakota

In the semi-arid, western portion of South Dakota, camelina has potential value as a fall-seeded cover crop, providing flexibility in crop rotations for improving soil health.

Group of small grey insects with clear wings on green plant.

Monitor Canola Fields for False Chinch Bug Activity

While scouting canola this week, I came across a field that had plants along the edge that looked like they were suffering from drought stress, but given the recent rain I doubted that to be the case. Closer inspection of the stressed plants indicated that they were covered in false chinch bugs. Although false chinch bugs are not normally an issue in canola, very large populations do have the potential to reduce yield.

Red-brown colored weevil with bent antennae originating on the elongated mouthparts.

It’s Time to Start Scouting for Red Sunflower Seed Weevils

In South Dakota, sunflower flowering is getting underway. That means it is time to start scouting fields for red sunflower seed weevils.