Content by David Karki

An oats field with numerous small rows of green, oat grass emerged throughout.

Oat Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Guidelines: Do we use the yield goal or maximum return to nitrogen approach?

Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient commonly applied to oat crops. It is important to apply an appropriate rate of nitrogen fertilizer to oats, as too little can reduce economic return, while too much can lead to potential negative environmental effects.

Oats growing in a no-till field.

Updating Oat Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Recommendations in South Dakota

Research trial results for nitrogen fertilizer rate recommendation for oats in South Dakota.

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.

Aerial view of the SDSU Northeast Research Farm.
Jan      Feb 06 - 26

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.

Winter wheat field.

Winter Wheat and Nitrogen: Decisions for 2026 Growing Season

With fertilizer representing one of the largest variable costs in wheat production, inefficient nitrogen use can quickly erode profit margins. This being said, an emphasis should be placed on how to improve nutrient management during the 2026 growing season.

A cornfield with severely wind-injured corn throughout.

Wind Injury in Corn

In the aftermath of severe weather, levels of wind damage in corn can vary greatly from field to field. How plants recover largely depends on wind velocity and corn growth stage.

A field of alfalfa.

Forage Variety Trial Results

The 2025 Forage Variety Trial Results include data from different locations in South Dakota.

Rye test plots

Rye Variety Trial Results

2025 Rye Variety Trial Results in South Dakota.

Left: Drill-planted cereal rye cover crop. Right: Pre-harvest broadcast cereal rye cover crop.

Choosing Whether to Preharvest Broadcast Vs. Post-Harvest Drill Cover Crops

Cover crops are frequently planted following the harvest of the grain commodity crops. A decision for producers to make is to whether to preharvest broadcast or postharvest drill the cover crop.