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Content by David Karki

sun rising over a cornfield. several grain bins are in the background.

Corn Grain Moisture Discount: Why and How Much?

Corn marketed at the standard moisture content of 15.5% and 56 pounds per bushel typically contains 47.3 pounds of dry matter and 8.7 pounds of water. At harvest, a producer has to decide whether to sell (or even store) his corn at ‘as is’ moisture content or mechanically dry it before taking it to the buyer.

A soybean field in early fall. Plants are nearing maturity.

Low Temperatures During Soybean Maturity

This year, we had a slow soybean planting due to high rainfall in spring. This was followed by below normal temperatures for most of the growing season, which delayed soybean growth and development. This brings up a question about what these low temperatures will do to soybeans that are in the field.

Two side-by-side images of soybeans at different growth stages. Left: Growth stage. Right: Near harvest.

Soybean Physiology: Reproductive Stages

As soybean fields in the region are rapidly heading towards maturity, we will discuss soybean reproductive stages in this article.

Green blades of rye growing amongst brown corn stalks.

Cereal Rye Cover Crop Between Corn and Soybean

Interest in cover crops has increased in recent times. Cereal rye has been a cover crop of choice among corn and soybean growers in South Dakota due to its superior tolerance to cold temperatures and ability to overwinter in a Northern climate.

Cover crops planted in a harvested oat field.

Cover Crops After Small Grains

In last few years, interest in using cover crops has been increasing tremendously among crop and livestock producers in South Dakota. Growing cover crops following small grain is gaining more attention due to feasibility in cover crops species selection and also the time of the year where cover crops receive longer growing and establishing time than following row crops.

A tall, grassy, warm-season cover crop blend grown in Central South Dakota.

Cover Crops 2019: What to Plant When

As many Midwest producers look to cover crops to build soil health and provide supplemental forage after a soggy spring, many questions are arising regarding management decisions, specifically, species selection and planting timing.

a flooded wheat field with some emerging wheat plants.

Wet Feet in Wheat

Given the widespread wet conditions present this spring, there are many areas in winter wheat fields with both ponding and saturated (or waterlogged) soils. Producers may want to consider soil conditions and evaluate extended weather forecasts when deciding whether or not to retain a winter wheat this spring.

soybean pods

Investigation of Soybean Seed Treatment and Inoculant in Southeastern SD, 2018

Soybean seed treatment products are widely utilized by many farmers in southeastern South Dakota and the surrounding area. These products often consist of an insecticide/fungicide combination, and/or inoculant that is mixed and placed on the seed as a pre-treatment before the grower plants the crop.

wheat field

Instinct HL and Nitrogen Management Effect on Winter Wheat Yield

Nitrogen (N) additives to control N losses through volatilization, denitrification, and leaching are widely used in the Midwest. Slowing the conversion of nitrogen fertilizers to nitrate may lessen leaching and denitrification losses if precipitation or soil becomes saturated.

a winter wheat field greening up in early spring

Winter Survival and Spring Stand Counts in Winter Wheat

Every winter, growers are curious if their wheat field will survive the winter. Not enough snow cover during the coldest days, spring flooding, and ice injury are the main reasons for plants to die. The only way to get a true assessment of winter survival is to scout the field in the spring.