Content by Krista Ehlert

South Dakota students learn valuable skills at 2023 Rangeland and Soils Days

July 14, 2023

About 75 youth who participated in this year’s Rangeland and Soils Days, held June 14-15 near Watertown.

A dense stand of tall, green bulbous bluegrass growing near a field.

Be on the Lookout: Bulbous Bluegrass

Bulbous bluegrass is a resilient, invasive grass that can tolerate a wide variety of environmental conditions. Learn how to identify and manage it before it impacts forage production.

Dense patch of brown, Medusahead grass on rangeland.

Be on the Lookout: Medusahead

Grassland managers are encouraged to be on the lookout for Medusahead, an invasive grass that can aggressively out-compete native species. Learn how to identify, report, and manage it before it becomes an issue.

Ventenata grass aggresively spreading throughout rangeland.

Be on the Lookout: Ventenata

Ventenata is an invasive annual grass that's an emerging threat to South Dakota rangelands due to its ability to exclude desired native species. Learn how to identify, report, and manage it before it becomes a problem in your area.

A woman sits in a grassland with a clipboard making notes. More people with notes and buses are in the background.

South Dakota Range Management Workshop Set for June 27-29

April 18, 2023

SDSU Extension is partnering with the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide the 2023 South Dakota Range Management Workshop June 27-29 near Deadwood, South Dakota.

Two young woman inspecting plants growing on a vast, open range.

SDSU Extension to host Women on the Range workshop in June

March 31, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension invites women in agriculture to attend a Women on the Range Workshop on June 8 and 9 at The Branding Iron restaurant in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Rangeland and Soil Days attendees observing a grassland area.

39th annual Rangeland and 18th annual Soil Days set for June 14-15 in Watertown

March 20, 2023

SDSU Extension, Codington Conservation District and South Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service are hosting Rangeland Days and Soil Days on June 14-15 in Watertown, South Dakota.

Color-coded map showing rainfall accumulation at the locations of the four hub study sites in South Dakota. For assistance reading this graphic and data set, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

Range Roundup: Precision Agriculture Range Project With Producer Participation

SDSU Extension researchers started a new precision agriculture range project using remote sensing, machine learning, and ground-collected vegetation samples to develop an application to measure forage quality and quantity throughout the state in near real-time.

Cottonwood Creek on the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station.

Western South Dakota Stream Guide now available for landowners, managers

January 24, 2023

A new manual, “Understanding Western South Dakota Prairie Streams” – or the Stream Guide – is now available as a free digital download.

Cottonwood Creek on the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station.

Ranching and Prairie Streams: Why Riparian Areas Matter

For many producers, riparian pastures are essential to their operations. However, land managers need to balance grazing and utilization needs with riparian health for the long-term benefit of their operation.