Content by Sarah Sellars

Soybean, wheat and corn plots at the Northeast Research Farm

Custom Rates Survey

SDSU Extension is conducting a survey to better understand current custom rates charged for various crop and livestock operations performed on farms and ranches in South Dakota.

A map of South Dakota indicating libraries that are participating in the Rural Libraries Hotspot Lending Program

SDSU Extension collaborates with AARP South Dakota and rural libraries to provide better internet access

February 17, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is collaborating with AARP South Dakota and South Dakota’s public libraries to give the state’s rural citizens better access to the internet.

Sun rising at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Changes to the Commodity Title from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Impact on South Dakota crops

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act contains several changes to the Title I Commodity Programs. Learn how these changes may impact crops in South Dakota compared to crops grown in other regions in the United States.

USDA agent and producer reviewing paperwork at a desk.

An Analysis of Margin Protection Crop Insurance on Corn and Soybeans in South Dakota

Margin protection crop insurance, an endorsement/policy that insures producers against rising input costs, is growing in popularity in South Dakota. Recent research investigated how South Dakota margin protection payouts compared to our neighboring states.

Farmer viewing precision seed application data on a tablet.

Cybersecurity Planning: Securing the Future

With reliance on digital technologies, precision agriculture requires securing data and implementing key strategies to safeguard digital assets and maintain operational integrity and confidentiality.

A field of no-till soybeans and corn.

SDSU Extension Tile Drainage Economics Calculator

Calculator for farmers who are interested in evaluating the decision to install tile drainage from an economic perspective.

Digital padlock over a circuit board, representing data encryption.

Protecting Your Data: The Role of Authentication and Encryption in Agricultural Cybersecurity

Precision agriculture emphasizes using data to make smarter farming decisions. In the digital world, authentication and encryption are two prevalent ways to keep farm data secure, accurate, and trustworthy.

A fishing hook resting on a stack of credit cards on a laptop computer keyboard.

Be Cyber Aware: Text Message Cyber-Attacks (SMS Phishing - Smishing)

Hackers employ a variety of tactics to gain access to electronic devices and steal user’s personal information.

Lush, green forage growing in a field.

SDSU Extension releases updated crop budgets tool

February 28, 2025

Producers and financial advisors can use the spreadsheets as a template to input their own costs and get an estimate on profits. The spreadsheet includes tabs for fertilizer and pesticide and commodity estimates for different regions of the state, including high- and low-production areas.

Technician installing a wireless internet router on an exterior structure.

Choosing the Right Wireless Network Technologies for Agricultural Internet-Of-Things Applications

The Agricultural Internet-of-Things remotely connects various farm devices and equipment throughout an operation. This article takes a look at several prevalent wireless network technologies, focusing on their potential application scenarios in precision agriculture.