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Content by Jason Clark

Hands holding a clump of healthy soil from a no-till field.
Mar 03

Soil Health Hour

Join SDSU Extension experts to learn about soil health practices during this free webinar series on the first Wednesday of each month from October 7 through March 3 at 10:00 a.m. CDT.

Producer inspecting soil surface of a no-till field.

Does It Pay to Build Up Soil Phosphorus in High-pH Fields?

In high-pH soils, Phosphorus fertilizer can react with calcium already in the soil and form compounds that crops cannot easily use. It means that applied Phosphorus fertilizer can become “tied up” in the soil, leaving many farmers wondering whether the fertilizer they pay for is really working for them.

Nitrogen rate map layered on top of a field

SDSU Extension invites corn farmers to join on-farm nitrogen fertilizer trial program

February 06, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension and Premier Crop Systems are recruiting corn farmers to participate in nitrogen fertilizer trials.

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.

Nitrogen rate map layered on top of a field

South Dakota On-Farm Nitrogen Rate Trial Program

The on-farm corn nitrogen fertilizer rate trial program will help farmers, crop advisors and ag service providers to design, implement, and analyze nitrogen rate trials.

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.

Producer holding soil in cupped hands over a bare field in early spring.

80 South Dakota farmers needed for nationwide soil health project: Enroll today

April 03, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is inviting South Dakota farmers to participate in a new soil health survey.

Tractor planter seeding crops in a no-till field.

Fertilizer Placed With the Seeds in Dry Soil Conditions

Climate patterns can shift from wet to dry very quickly. A current consideration is thinking about seed injury from furrow-placed fertilizers, and there are notable differences among crops for tolerance of seed-placed fertilizers.

Tanks of anhydrous ammonia being pulled to a field for fertilizer application.

Starter Fertilizer Calculator and Final Report

Decision aid to assist crop planners in selecting the maximum safe fertilizer rate that can be applied with the seed for various crops.

A screenshot of the website shows a map of the United States with green squares indicating where soil fertility trials have been conducted

New digital Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool launches nationwide

April 11, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and project partners are proud to announce the nationwide release of the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST), a decision aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization.