Pasture

All Pasture Content

Tick that is dark brown to black in color with a reddish-orange abdomen.

An identification guide to common Ticks of South Dakota

A guide to identifying common ticks in South Dakota

Change in South Dakota Agricultural Land, Tenure of Farm Operation, and Producer Characteristics 2012-2022

Report using the newly released data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture to provide an update on land in farms, the number of farms, tenure of farm operations, and producers’ characteristics in South Dakota for the last ten years, from 2012 to 2022.

Two pictures of bright, green plants with yellow flowers.

Leafy Spurge or an Imposter?

Leafy spurge is a statewide noxious weed that can be difficult to manage. However, are the recent yellow flowers appearing throughout South Dakota landscapes leafy spurge or another species?

Current State of Noxious Weed Management in South Dakota

Results of an online survey to determine how South Dakota stakeholders are currently managing noxious weeds.

A green pasture with patches of bare soil under a blue sky containing several wispy white clouds.

Dying Patches in Your Pasture? Make Sure You Don’t Have White Grubs.

There have been an increasing number of reports of pastures with dead areas showing up this spring. A little digging into these areas has revealed that part of the problem is the presence of true white grubs, which are the larva of June beetles.

Tractor-mounted wick applicator applying herbicide to a pasture.

Low-Cost and Adaptable Plans to Build a Wick Applicator for Herbicides

From crop fields to home gardens, wick applicators can manage weeds by applying herbicides directly to weeds growing at a set height above desirable plants. Learn how to build one yourself in this article.

Two ranchers reviewing a checklist in a farm office.

Checklist to Pasture Turnout

When preparing to turn your herd out to pasture, there are a few management decisions that need to be made. Having a simple checklist is an easy way to make sure you are prepared.

Tan grasshopper with light colored stripes on its back sitting on the soil surface.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2024

In 2024, grasshoppers are likely to cause problems in areas of South Dakota due to large populations that were present in 2023 and the relatively late first hard freeze date observed in much of the state.

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

Keep an Eye on Black Grass Bugs This Spring

In South Dakota, black grass bugs are a common spring pest of forage grasses. This native insect first appears in late April and May when grasses emerge from dormancy.

A herd of cattle gather around a stock pond on a vast, lush grassland. Courtesy: USDA [CC BY 2.0]

Weed Control: Pasture and Range

There are 24 million acres of native and tame pasture and range as well as 1.4 million acres of grass hayland in South Dakota.