Soil Health

All Soil Health Content

A green tractor pulls a planter to plant oats in a field

SDSU Extension Crop Hour webinar series starts in January

December 11, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension’s 2024 Crop Hour webinar series will start Jan. 9, with webinars hosted from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for nine weeks.

Soil scientist conducting an in-field soil test.

Soil Carbon Cycle and Laboratory Measurements of Carbon Related to Soil Health

Carbon is one the most-important elements in agricultural soils. Take in-depth look at how carbon is understood, measured, and managed to benefit soil health in agricultural production.

Sushant Mehan smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black suit and striped tie

SDSU Extension welcomes new water specialist

November 28, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Sushant Mehan as a new Water Resource Engineer Specialist and assistant professor.

Vast, rolling rangeland with spring plant growth.

Investigating Rangeland Systems and Practices

Curriculum to teach students about the facets of rangelands.

Several red angus cattle feeding at a feed bunk.

Register now for Dec. 6 Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations training

November 13, 2023

There will be an environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on Dec. 6, 2023, at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron.

A spade stands upright in a corn field with tall, green corn stalks around it

SDSU Extension to host soil management conference in December

November 08, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will host the 2023 Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit conference on Dec. 12.

Man using a dynamic cone penetrometer.

Soil Penetration Resistance as a Soil Health Indicator

Soil penetration resistance is an indicator of soil compaction and the force required for root growth through the soil. It can be measured in the field using a tool called a penetrometer.

A lush, native grassland with a variety of wild flowers blooming.

How do we describe biodiversity? It's multidimensional!

Fact sheet on the importance of biodiversity

A soil coring device that has been pounded into ground. Next to it are trimmed samples in rings used to measure soil bulk density.

Bulk Density is an Indicator of Soil Health

Bulk density is a commonly measured soil property that can indicate how compacted a soil is and can be used to calculate the percent pore space in the soil.

a man in a suit and tie smiles for the camera

SDSU Extension welcomes new soil health expert to Watertown office

September 18, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Hans Klopp as a new Soil Health Field Specialist.