Pasture

SDSU Extension Dakotafest 2019 Forums Feature Crop Outlook, Weather Outlook & Ash Borer Update

August 12, 2019

SDSU Extension staff will be hosting several forums during Dakotafest 2019 held August 20-22 on the Schlaffman Farm near Mitchell, S.D., (2300 E Spruce Street) inside booth #600.

Strengthening the Heartland, Farm Stress, Corn, Soybean, Wheat, Sunflower, Oats, Cover Crops, Crop Management, Crop Treatments, Economics, Agricultural Land Value, Markets/Prices, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Swine, Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Pasture, Soil Health, Grassland, Conservation, Equipment Safety, Youth Safety, Strategic Planning, Community Leadership, Developing Communities, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Health, Precision Agriculture, 4-H Projects

Forage Resources Available to S.D. Farmers and Ranchers

Forages are a very important part of the South Dakota livestock and cropping industries. Often, producers have difficulties finding enough forage for their herd or locating a fellow producer to buy, sell or rent forages and grazing acres too. South Dakota now has two widely-recognized, free resources to aid in these connections.

August 2019 Climate Outlook: Cool and Wet

According to the latest climate outlook update, odds are favoring that August 2019 will be cooler than average. The update was released by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center on July 31, 2019.

Yellow Sweet Clover: Information and Management

Sweet clover is an opportunistic plant that is going to be abundant in pastures and hay fields when growing conditions are favorable, ideally for two consecutive years. Although it can cause problems, it is valuable to wildlife and pollinators and is a nutritious forage source.

Horse Flies and Deer Flies Becoming Abundant

The above-average precipitation this year has led to increased numbers of horse flies and deer flies across South Dakota. Widespread flooding and an overall abundance of available water has made conditions perfect for these flies.

Wet Conditions Likely Into Fall Season

Many locations in South Dakota have already received as much precipitation this year as they do in an entire average year. The latest climate outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center shows increased chances of wetter than average conditions to continue into the fall season.

July 2019 Climate Outlook: Challenges Continue

This year’s seasonal pattern of wetter than average conditions is projected to continue through July and the rest of the summer season. The latest climate outlook, released June 20, 2019, shows an increased chance of wetter than average conditions in the next one to three months for the state of South Dakota.

June 2019 Climate Outlook for South Dakota

As South Dakota emerges from the wettest 12-month period in 124 years of climate recordkeeping (June 2018-May 2019), June has started warmer and drier than average. The outlook, however, turns towards cooler and wetter than average again for the middle of the month.