Content by Clarence Winter

Spring wheat field nearing harvest in June.

SDSU Extension to host spring wheat field tours

July 01, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to host tours of spring wheat variety field plots at SDSU Extension Crop Performance Testing program locations.

Green wheat plants with some yellowing throughout.

Keep Watch: Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus is Developing in South Dakota Fields

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus has been reported in South Dakota wheat fields and is also a major wheat disease for Great Plains states in 2025. The virus is sweeping across the state and is rampant in winter wheat.

Young sunflower plants emerged in a vast field.

Overlapping Residual Herbicides May Be Necessary for Effective Weed Management

Weed management in sunflowers poses unique challenges. Compared with many other crops, there is a limited number of herbicides selections, especially postemergence herbicides.

Adult red sunflower seed weevil on a sunflower leaf.

Malathion receives special local needs approval to treat red sunflower seed weevils in South Dakota from July 15 to August 31, 2025

The request was submitted and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency due to the large populations of red sunflower seed weevil present in South Dakota that are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides.

Plastic bag containing numerous green larvae.

Alfalfa Weevil Populations Rapidly Increasing in Western South Dakota and Starting to Show up in Eastern South Dakota This Week

Recent degree day accumulations for alfalfa weevils in western South Dakota would suggest that alfalfa weevil larvae activity should be wrapping up for the 2025 season. However, recent scouting of alfalfa suggests otherwise.

Wheat growing in a field west of Martin, South Dakota.

Optimizing Wheat Success for 2025

With spring and warmer temperatures arriving in South Dakota, now is the ideal time to start planning your wheat crop for the upcoming growing season.

A plot of land from the side, with plant roots growing down into the soil

SDSU Extension to discuss regenerative agriculture during Crop Hour

February 26, 2025

Presentations can be viewed online on the SDSU Extension website at https://extension.sdstate.edu/crop-hour.

A green combine harvesting canola in a field.

Broadleaf Considerations for West River South Dakota Cropping Systems

Selecting the right crop rotation is crucial in West River South Dakota, where water use efficiency is important. Learn some key factors to consider when selecting broadleaf crops for rotations and see what some farmers in the region are already planting.

A close-up of golden wheat heads

SDSU Extension to host 2024 Draper Winter Wheat Meeting

August 08, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to invite producers to the 35th annual Draper Winter Wheat Meeting at 6:30 p.m. CDT on Aug. 22, 2024, at the City of Draper Auditorium.

A man smiles for the camera standing outside in a field of row crops

SDSU Extension welcomes new agronomy field specialist

June 10, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Clarence Winter as a new Agronomy Field Specialist.