Soil Health

All Soil Health Content

An unplanted field with weeds growing throughout.

Managing Weed Seed in 2020

Producers need to plan in advance on how to deal with bare fields that contain an overabundance of weeds. Weeds in these fields have deposited significant amount of seeds on the soil surface, which can easily germinate when adequate moisture and temperature are available.

A man inspecting a field with salty soil.

Perennial Solutions for Alkali Areas

Reclaiming marginal lands, especially those considered saline or sodic can be very challenging and may take many years to accomplish. The key to turning around salt or alkali areas in your fields, begins with getting a living root established in the affected area.

A farmer watching the sun rise in a bare, unplanted field.

Crop Tolerance to Soil Herbicide Residual

Some herbicides can persist in soil, especially dry soil. Herbicide carryover could be an issue in 2021 across the state depending upon last year’s moisture levels and field conditions.

Participants inspecting a rangeland area during the South Dakota Rangeland Days event.

38th Annual Rangeland and 17th Annual Soils Days Set for June 14 and 15 in Murdo

March 28, 2022

Rangeland and Soils Days offer a unique opportunity for youth and adults alike to learn more about South Dakota’s natural resources.

Camelina crop growing in a field.

Spring and Winter Camelina in South Dakota

In the semi-arid, western portion of South Dakota, camelina has potential value as a fall-seeded cover crop, providing flexibility in crop rotations for improving soil health.

five beef cows standing in a pasture

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Training Set for March 2

February 15, 2022

An environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations will be held Wednesday, March 2, in Huron at the Crossroads Convention Center.

An aerial view of a soybean field with noticable rows of yellowing plants due to SCN infection.

Early Yellowing in a Soybean Field May Indicate Presence of the Soybean Cyst Nematode

Some portions of soybean fields may show clusters of plants yellowing while the rest of the field is still green. One of the factors that could lead to soybean plants showing early yellowing in clusters is soybean cyst nematode (SCN).

Implications of Excessive Soil Moisture for Disease Development in Winter Wheat

Although it is too early to start thinking about disease issues in winter wheat at this time, current flooding in some areas may have implications on diseases that may develop on winter wheat.

A young man driving a soil sampling tool into a soybean field

Consider SCN Sampling This Spring 

Soybean cyst nematode management starts with a soil test to determine the presence or absence of this nematode in the soil.

an image showing soybean roots with cyst nematode eggs

Fall is a Good Time to Test Your Soil for SCN

Is your yield monitor indicating low yielding areas in your soybean field? Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) could be the problem. Get to the root of the problem by testing your soil for the soybean cyst nematode. SCN management starts with a soil test to determine the presence or absence of this nematode in the soil. Absence may indicate either the SCN has not established in the field or could be present in non-detectable levels.