Content by Philip Rozeboom

Top: Field pennycress leaves and seeds. Bottom: Shepherd’s purse leaves and seeds.

Early Season Prevalence of Field Pennycress and Shepherd’s Purse

Many fields that are planted to winter wheat or have yet to be tilled may have a healthy infestation of field pennycress or shepherd’s purse. Learn some expert tips for identifying and managing these weeds before they become a problem this growing season.

Canada thistle growing in a pasture.

Current State of Noxious Weed Management in South Dakota

Results of an online survey to determine how South Dakota stakeholders are currently managing noxious weeds.

A collection of empty pesticide and herbicide containers.

Herbicide Group Classification

The intent of providing herbicide group numbers and mode/site-of-action information on labels is to help develop herbicide plans that reduce the selection pressure on herbicide-resistant weeds. Learn how understanding this information can help improve your plans.

Green beetle larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: May 9, 2024

Although May hasn’t been extremely warm, the accumulated degree days in South Dakota since January 1, 2024, suggest that alfalfa weevil larvae could be active in several areas of the state.

Nozzle on a boom sprayer in a crop field.

Factors Influencing Spray Coverage

Learn about the different factors that influence spray coverage and how you can tailor your practices to ensure that proper coverage is achieved.

A dark bodied insect with large wings and red eyes sitting on a tree twig. There are green leaves behind it and many tan insect shells.

I heard cicadas are having a big year. Are they coming to South Dakota?

Cicadas are making headlines—specifically the periodical cicadas in Brood XIII and Brood XIX. Both both broods are in the Midwest and are geographically close together. Find out where you can expect to see them this spring.

Tractor spraying pre-emergent herbicide in a bare field.

Preemergence Herbicide Application Considerations for 2024

Preemergence herbicides control germinating weeds, which minimizes early-season competition with crops to keep yield potential higher. Learn what factors influence their effectiveness and what can be done to avoid control failures and unintended crop injury.

A small black bug with tan margins on its wings resting on a grass seed head.

Keep an Eye on Black Grass Bugs This Spring

In South Dakota, black grass bugs are a common spring pest of forage grasses. This native insect first appears in late April and May when grasses emerge from dormancy.

Tan grasshopper with light colored stripes on its back sitting on the soil surface.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2024

In 2024, grasshoppers are likely to cause problems in areas of South Dakota due to large populations that were present in 2023 and the relatively late first hard freeze date observed in much of the state.

Field pennycress, common ragweed, and kochia weeds emerging in early spring.

Early Emerging Weeds and Effective Management

Managing early emerging weeds before crop planting or emergence is important to minimize early season competition, which can lower yield potential, even if the weeds are managed later in the season. Learn some tips for getting started.