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Content by SDSU Extension

Symptoms of three emerging sunflower diseases. From the left: Bacterial Stem Rot, Sclerotinia Basal Rot, and Sunflower Rust.

Bacterial Stem Rot, Sclerotinia Basal Rot and Sunflower Rust Developing in Sunflower

Sunflower scouted this week in Brookings and Kingsbury counties were found with bacterial stem rot, Sclerotinia basal rot and sunflower rust. This area has had plenty of moisture, which favors several diseases to develop in sunflower.

five beef cows standing in a pasture

Using Estrous Synchronization in Natural-Service Breeding Situations

Estrous synchronization is typically associated with artificial insemination (AI) programs, and is therefore often viewed as impractical or impossible to use within natural-service herds.

A closeup shot of a cow's nose and mouth.

Cow Mineral Nutrition: Trace Minerals and Managing Interactions

Mineral nutrition is vital to overall cow performance. Without appropriate balance of minerals, cows may not perform as desired or could exhibit detrimental effects. There are six trace minerals of significant importance in a cow’s diet.

fruit and vegetable garden with raised beds

Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota

Whatever your reasons to start a vegetable garden: fresh produce with great flavor, exercise, saving money, enticing children (and adults) to eat healthier food, or knowing where your food came from and how it was grown, this booklet will help you with basic information and tips to get started.

A sprayer applying pre-emergent pesticide to a bare field.

Herbicide Rotation Restrictions

This is a quick reference guide to common herbicides and their rotation restrictions for selected crops.

Mixed cattle in feedlot

Mineral Sources May Impact Reproductive Efficiency

It is well-known by producers and feed specialists that trace minerals play an essential role in physiological functions. Minerals like copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, and zinc are important in embryonic development.

Two groups of cover crops. Left: Oats. Right: Radish.

Herbicide Interactions With Cover Crops After Oats

After oats have been harvested, options exist to keep a living root in the soil. This can be done through growing cover crops. In 2018 an on-farm trial was preformed near Salem, South Dakota to observe how cover crops grown after oats would germinate after common herbicides had been applied.

A sprawling wheat field with gray, mostly cloudy skies in the background.

Small Grain Pre-Harvest Options

Consider pre-harvest herbicide applications in crop ground planted with small grains that are grown for seed or forage. Dense weed populations may inhibit harvest, therefore proper control of them early in the growing season is best.

group of cattle at feedbunk

Do Temperament and Breed Type Play a Role in Feeding Efficiency and Carcass Quality?

Is there a relationship between temperament and profitability in cattle? A recent study conducted by Texas A&M University took a closer look at the impacts that temperament and breed types can have on feedlot growth performance, feed efficiency, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and value in finishing beef heifers.

Corn plants with noticable rotting near the bottom stem.

Fusarium Root and Crown Rot Developing in Corn

A few corn fields scouted in Brookings County were found with Fusarium root rot at low levels. Infected plants were wilting and upon splitting of the lower nodes revealed brown discoloration of the pith. Root and crown rots developing in corn after the seedling stage are usually caused by Fusarium spp. and can be enhanced by injury to the roots or crown, mainly by insect feeding.