Content by Madalyn Shires

a wilted pepper plant in a garden plot.

Handling Herbicide Injury in Specialty Crops

Learn how to handle specialty crops that have inadvertently been affected by herbicides.

Two coneflowers with distorted heads due to Aster yellows phytoplasma.

Aster Yellows - Plant Pest on the Plains: How you can get involved in this important research

Aster yellows phytoplasma, best known as Aster Yellows disease or Onion Yellows disease, is commonly observed in purple coneflowers across the Great Plains. SDSU Extension is monitoring and modeling its distribution in the region, and you can help!

People eat ice cream under a large tent
Aug 18

Dakotafest

Stop by the SDSU Extension booth at Dakotafest to meet specialists, ask questions, get recommendations and learn about programming and events.

Three wheat fields exhibiting wheat streak mosaic virus symptoms throughout.

South Dakota Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Disease: 2026 Update

Wheat streak mosaic virus is on the move across South Dakota wheat fields. Due to the mild winter and overwintering in winter wheat, viral activity has had a jump start in 2026, and the occurrence and intensity of disease pressure is comparable to the 2025 season.

Three bean leaf beetles. From Left: Brown beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Yellow beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Red beetle with black spots on a green leaf.

Bean Leaf Beetles, a Vector of Bean Pod Mottle Virus, May Be Active in Soybean

Although we are predicting low overwintering survival of bean leaf beetles this year in South Dakota, scouting for this pest should still be conducted, as every year we still observe populations in soybean.

Aerial view of the SDSU Northeast Research Farm.
Jul 23

Northeast Research Farm Tour

Attend the annual Northeast Research Farm Tour on Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. CDT to dusk at the Northeast Research Farm (15710 455th Ave. South Shore, SD 57263). The farm is located on the junction of State Highway 20 and Codington County Highway 11, or 2.5 miles west of Exit 193 on I-29.

Color-coded map of South Dakota showing Fusarium head blight risk throughout the state. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Tools Available for Fusarium Head Blight Prediction

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), commonly known as scab, is a major disease threat for wheat each year during the flowering growth stage. To support growers in making informed fungicide decisions, forecasting tools are available that use weather data to estimate the likelihood of scab development.

close up of a broccoli leaf with blackrot.

Black Rot of Brassica Crops

Overview and management of Black Rot for Brassica Crops.

Green leafhopper with clear wings.

Aster Leafhoppers Detected in South Dakota Wheat

Aster leafhoppers are present in wheat again this spring. For the last few years, aster leafhoppers have been a common occurrence in South Dakota wheat.

Wheat plants in a field showing viral symptomology of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Confirmed in 2026

At the end of April, a winter wheat sample was submitted to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic displaying typical viral symptoms of chlorosis and streaking. Upon testing, this sample was determined to be positive for Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus.