Soil Health

All Soil Health Content

Aerial view of the SDSU Northeast Research Farm.
Jan 06

Crop Hour

SDSU Extension Crop Hour webinars provide valuable information for South Dakota crop producers to help them improve their profitability and prepare for the upcoming season.

Oats growing in a no-till field.

Comparing Cover Crop Mixture Performance after Oats and its Effect on Corn Yield the Following Year

A research trial completed at the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Northeast Research Farm comparing cover crop mixture performance after oats and its effect on corn yield the following year.

shovel with a clump of dirt with a green plant and root system

Effect of Camelina Cover Crop on Soil Health and Corn Yield

Study results focused on the effect of camelina cover crop on soil health and corn yield.

Hands holding a clump of healthy soil from a no-till field.

SDSU Extension Crop Hour 2026 webinars start in January

November 24, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension’s Crop Hour webinar series for 2026 will return in January.

Two side-by-side fields. The left is a no-till field with crop residue throughout and minimal erosion. The right is a tilled field with no surface cover and notable erosion throughout.

SDSU Extension to host soil health meeting in Freeman

November 12, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will host a Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit meeting on Dec. 9, 2025.

Cattle grazing corn residue in late fall.

Why Cropland Grazing Now?

The evidence is consistent: cropland grazing delivers measurable economic returns, proven soil health benefits, and growing adoption in South Dakota.

Professional portrait of Ryan Lefers

SDSU Extension welcomes new water specialist

October 29, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Ryan Lefers as the new Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, South Dakota Water Resources Institute Director and SDSU Extension Water Management Specialist.

Harvested crop field with deep soil ruts left by equipment tires.

How to Avoid Soil Compaction During Crop Harvest

Soil compaction can degrade soil health and lead to reduced crop yields. Learn some production practices that can implemented during harvest to avoid soil compaction.

A group of youth and adults stand in a grassy pasture

Dedicated educators help South Dakota youth succeed nationally

August 28, 2025

In May, South Dakota sent 84 youth to the National Land and Range Judging Contest in El Reno, Oklahoma. Out of the 34 states that competed, only Texas came close to matching those numbers with 72 participants.

Rye growing in in a no-till field.

Effects of Different Cereal Rye and Winter Camelina Seeding Rates on Biomass Production and Soil Properties When Broadcast Seeded

Benefits to soil health generally increase as cover crop biomass production increases. Recent research sought to determine how the seeding rate of two cover crop species and mixtures affected biomass production and some soil health indicators.