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A green absinth wormwood plant surrounded by other green vegetation.

Absinth Wormwood Spray Window Passed: Mow now and plan to treat the regrowth in the fall

Absinth wormwood is a statewide noxious weed that inhabits cropland, pasture, rangeland, right-of-ways, and waste sites. If not effectively managed, the species can displace desirable vegetation, reduce crop yield and decrease land value.

People are seen in the distance in a grassland under a blue sky

2025 Rangeland and Soil Days contest hosts 133 youth

July 10, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce that 133 youth participated in the 41st annual Rangeland and 20th annual Soil Days contests on June 10-11, 2025, in Belle Fourche.

Beef cattle grazing summer pasture.

Summer Pasture Report: Discussing Rain, Pasture Recovery, and Preparing for Fall

Drought conditions across northern South Dakota have seen some relief due to the precipitation received in the past few months. Despite some decent rainfall occurring, most of the state is still behind normal for the water year.

two ducks swimming in a pond

SDSU Extension, SD Grassland Coalition sponsor Wallace Duck Day

June 27, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition are excited to announce a conservation-focused bus tour as part of this year’s Duck Day in Wallace.

Green plant with bright yellow flowers throughout.

Leafy Spurge: Do I spray now or wait until fall?

In June, leafy spurge is one of our most problematic rangeland, pasture, and roadside weeds. It is also one of South Dakota’s noxious weeds that landowners are required by law to control. So should you spray it now or wait until fall?

Two pictures of two different species of thistle. Both pictures are filled with a green thistle plant and various green plants in the background.

Thistle Species Are Budding in South Dakota

Thistles are starting to bud across South Dakota. This is a critical growth stage for management, as the plants are beginning to produce seeds and herbicides are not effective.

Grasshopper with red hind tibia. It’s sitting on a green grass stem.

Survey of Grasshoppers in South Dakota

Fact sheet on the abundance and species diversity of grasshoppers in South Dakota

Green perennial sowthistle with yellow flowers at top in the foreground with blurred green, soybean plants in the background.

Perennial Sowthistle Management

Perennial sowthistle inhabits roadsides, pastures, rangelands, and croplands. It can be abundant in overgrazed, over-hayed, or over-mowed areas, as there is little desirable vegetation to compete against the weed.

Four teenage boys in matching olive green shirts stand between their coaches wearing medals around their necks

South Dakota youth earn high marks at 2025 National Range, Land and Homesite judging contests

May 30, 2025

South Dakota youth once again placed well at the National Range Judging and National Land and Homesite Judging contests held May 1 in El Reno, Oklahoma.

Two women inspecting grass in a field

Save the date for SDSU Extension Women on the Range grazing workshop July 22-24

May 20, 2025

Women in agriculture are invited to attend the 2025 South Dakota State University Extension Women on the Range Grazing Workshop on July 22–24 at Wedge Tent Ranch near Faith.