Range

All Range Content

Small group of cattle grazing a vast, well-managed rangeland.

Holistic Ranch Management Helps With Economic and Climate Resilience

Holistic ranch management offers ways to think about ranching as part of a diverse ecological system. Learn how two South Dakota operations have leveraged it to generate multiple income streams from shared resources.

Two young woman inspecting plants growing on a vast, open range.

Women on the Range workshop on social media set for Aug. 17

July 24, 2023

SDSU Extension will host a Women on the Range - Leveraging Social Media workshop at approximately 9 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m. MT on Aug. 17, 2023, at the 777 Bison Ranch near Hermosa, South Dakota.

A pasture containing a mixture of grasses and alfalfa.

Grasshopper Activity Is Ramping Up

We have already observed increased grasshopper activity in many areas of the state and, depending on the 2022 season, they may become problematic in crops.

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

Black Grass Bugs May Cause Issues if Drought Persists

In western South Dakota, black grass bugs are a common spring forage pest that can cause considerable damage during periods of drought. Learn how to monitor and manage this pest to protect your forages this spring.

Map of South Dakota with green (zero to three grasshoppers), orange (four to seven grasshoppers), and red (8 or more grasshoppers) dots indicating grasshopper populations that were sampled in 2021. The north central region, west of the Missouri River, has the highest concentration of red and orange dots.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2022

Data from the 2021 USDA Adult Grasshopper Survey of South Dakota suggests that grasshopper populations may continue to be problem in parts of central and western South Dakota during the spring of 2022.

South Dakota students learn valuable skills at 2023 Rangeland and Soils Days

July 14, 2023

About 75 youth who participated in this year’s Rangeland and Soils Days, held June 14-15 near Watertown.

Ventenata grass aggresively spreading throughout rangeland.

Be on the Lookout: Ventenata

Ventenata is an invasive annual grass that's an emerging threat to South Dakota rangelands due to its ability to exclude desired native species. Learn how to identify, report, and manage it before it becomes a problem in your area.

Mottled brown grasshopper nymph sitting on a green leaf. Wing pads are easily observed in the image.

Grasshoppers Continue to Be an Issue During 2023

We have received numerous reports of very large populations of grasshopper nymphs in June. Before management action is taken, it is important to determine what stage observed grasshoppers are at.

Dense patch of brown, Medusahead grass on rangeland.

Be on the Lookout: Medusahead

Grassland managers are encouraged to be on the lookout for Medusahead, an invasive grass that can aggressively out-compete native species. Learn how to identify, report, and manage it before it becomes an issue.

A dense stand of tall, green bulbous bluegrass growing near a field.

Be on the Lookout: Bulbous Bluegrass

Bulbous bluegrass is a resilient, invasive grass that can tolerate a wide variety of environmental conditions. Learn how to identify and manage it before it impacts forage production.