Content by Sarah Sellars

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.

Female producer viewing a ransomware warning on a computer screen in a farm office.

Ag Cybersecurity and Social Engineering 101

Social engineering is manipulating individuals to share confidential information and compromise security. By understanding the basics of social engineering, stakeholders can take proactive steps to ensure the resilience of agricultural systems against cyber threats.

Male farmer reviewing paperwork with a female banking agent at an office.

What should you do before or after any cyber security breaches?

Preparation is critical for managing cybersecurity breaches in agriculture, where digital tools and data are increasingly integral to operations. Learn what you can do before, during, and after a security breach to protect your operation in the event of a breach.

USDA agent analyzing an ear of corn with a producer alongside a cornfield in early fall.

Margin Protection Crop Insurance for Corn in South Dakota

Farmers may be interested in exploring different aspects of crop insurance during the current agricultural conditions of low commodity prices and high input prices. One alternative available is Margin Protection crop insurance.