Content by Sara Bauder

Two producers inspecting freshly cut alfalfa in a field.

Alfalfa Harvest Timing and Objectives

Guessing when to make that first cutting can be difficult, as using plant maturity or calendar dates alone can be quite risky. Get the most out of your first cutting with some expert tips that consider the timing and objectives of alfalfa harvest.

Hand holding a dead early-planted soybean seed.

Risks of Early Soybean Planting in South Dakota

Early soybean planting offers potential yield benefits, but it also poses some risks. Learn some expert tips and considerations for early soybean planting this growing season.

black-colored snow in a ditch

“Snirt” and How To Minimize It

Blowing soils, dust storms and “snirt” (snow with dirt on it) are frequent challenges during dry, windy winters. Learn some soil health principles to limit erosion and minimize snirt on field edges this planting season.

Three grain bins on the edge of a snow-covered field.

Forecasted Cold Temperatures Can Be Used To Cool Down Stored Grain

If temperatures are forecasted as being well below freezing, it would probably be a good time to start thinking about cooling stored grain. Cooling grain reduces the activity of stored grain insect pests and suppresses any mold growth that may otherwise occur.

SDSU Extension’s Crop Hour 8-week webinar series will cover several areas of agronomic production, from soybeans and wheat to cover crops and climate. Photo Credit: Sara Bauder, SDSU Extension

SDSU Extension to Kick Off Crop Hour Webinar Series in January

January 10, 2022

SDSU Extension will, once again, deliver a series of virtual Crop Hour webinars this winter. Starting Jan. 11, every Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CST, participants are invited to take their coffee break online to hear the latest in crop management and agronomic research from SDSU Extension.

Female producer holding a soil core sampling probe in a harvested soybean field.

Fall Soil Sampling

With fertilizer prices on the rise, it’s more important than ever to understand your soil test levels and crop response to applied fertilizers. Fall is a great time to soil sample before freeze up.

several plots of alfalfa

Aphanomyces Root Rot of Alfalfa

Fact sheet on Aphanomyces Root Rot of Alfalfa

A green combine dumps soybean grain into a green wagon at dusk in South Dakota.

A Safe Harvest

Personal safety can be easier said than done when running on little sleep and working through the thick of harvest. Learn some important safety tips to keep you and your operation safe during this busy time of the year.

Hand examining drought-stressed soybeans in the field.

Salvaging Drought-Stressed Soybeans as Feed

One of the more popular questions we’ve been receiving lately involves using soybeans as forage. Although the soybeans planted for grain are not typically bred for forage use, we can salvage the crop for said forage if need be.

harvester chopping corn silage, depositing silage into green wagon.

Video Series Offers Tips on Harvesting Failed Crops as Forage

August 24, 2021

To help producers navigate through these issues, SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition have recently released a new video series, “Salvaging Drought Stressed Crops.”