Crown and root rots are commonly observed in alfalfa fields in South Dakota. They are especially common in alfalfa stands that are 2 or more years old. Various fungal pathogens cause these diseases. To learn how to minimize crown and root rot infections.
Timely rainfall is more critical than normal this growing season. Only the northeast corner of South Dakota has been removed from the drought designation, though it is still abnormally dry. Only 28% of subsoil moisture in the state is rated adequate to surplus in the latest USDA-NASS crop progress and condition report. Growers abandoning winter wheat and seeding a spring crop may want to consider the answers to these questions: 1) Are some crops thriftier with water and 2) did some crops in 2012 deplete soil moisture more than others?
Alfalfa weevils are one of the key pests of alfalfa, and both adult and immature stages feed on this crop. Adults overwinter in protected areas of fields, and while some eggs are laid in the fall, majority of oviposition occurs in the spring. Low temperatures and late planting have delayed insect problems, but it’s not too early to scout for alfalfa weevils.
South Dakota hay prices have been at high levels throughout the 2012 marketing year. The March price for alfalfa from NASS, at $230 per ton, has been steady for several months. The March price for other hay reached a record high of $170 per ton. Usually, such high prices result in a shift in production and use. However, other commodity prices and input costs are higher too.
To be the most effective, fertilizing grass hay or pasture should be done early in the season. Also, if possible, apply the fertilizer right before a rain, as this will ensure that it gets into the soil and is not lost in the air. Grass hay requires 25 pounds of actual nitrogen (N) to produce one ton of hay.
Soil moisture conditions have changed some with recent snows and moistures. However, in some parts of the state, there still exists the possibility of dry planting conditions this spring. Regardless of soil moisture conditions where you are at, fortunately there is a calculator that can give some useful starter guidelines for various crops, starter fertilizers, and soil moisture conditions.
The planting season is starting to sneak up on us already, and it is now less than 2 months away for crops like spring wheat. Let me assume that you still have not selected or made 100% of your seed purchases for all your crops, or that your intended acres for each crop may change due to weather conditions. I think most farmers will agree that they want to buy the variety that returns the highest profit per acre.
It’s a fair question given that SDSU Extension has never had this position in eastern South Dakota before. For those of you who have pastures, wetlands, wildlife habitat, CRP, and other grasslands that you own or manage in state, it is our hope that this new position can build on the solid foundation that our Range Extension staff have developed in the western part of the state.
Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.
The delayed planting of spring wheat and oats is a real concern among growers and agronomists producing these crops for grain. Additionally, the shortage and high cost of hay for livestock producers has also created interest in raising these cool-season crops.
Soil moisture conditions have changed some with recent snows and moistures. However, in some parts of the state, there still exists the possibility of dry planting conditions this spring. Regardless of soil moisture conditions where you are at, fortunately there is a calculator that can give some useful starter guidelines for various crops, starter fertilizers, and soil moisture conditions.
The planting season is starting to sneak up on us already, and it is now less than 2 months away for crops like spring wheat. Let me assume that you still have not selected or made 100% of your seed purchases for all your crops, or that your intended acres for each crop may change due to weather conditions. I think most farmers will agree that they want to buy the variety that returns the highest profit per acre.
Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.
How much sorghum will be planted in South Dakota this year? The preseason intentions were estimated to be 230,000 acres, which is 80,000 and 30,000 more acres than 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Timely rainfall is more critical than normal this growing season. Only the northeast corner of South Dakota has been removed from the drought designation, though it is still abnormally dry. Only 28% of subsoil moisture in the state is rated adequate to surplus in the latest USDA-NASS crop progress and condition report. Growers abandoning winter wheat and seeding a spring crop may want to consider the answers to these questions: 1) Are some crops thriftier with water and 2) did some crops in 2012 deplete soil moisture more than others?
Annual legumes, which include soybeans, peas, lentils and chickpeas, actually have very high demand for nutrients (especially nitrogen) during their growth. Producers typically treat all annual legume seed with rhizobia just prior to planting or apply a granular product that contains peat and rhizobia in the seed trench to ensure that the young plants have ample rhizobia and can produce the nitrogen they need to grow.
This year there could be a high demand for alternative sources of forage in South Dakota. This is particularly true in the western half of the state where drought has negatively affected many of the perennial forages and pastures. In 2008 the West River Ag Research Center ran a study which evaluated cool and warm season annual forages.
Soil moisture conditions have changed some with recent snows and moistures. However, in some parts of the state, there still exists the possibility of dry planting conditions this spring. Regardless of soil moisture conditions where you are at, fortunately there is a calculator that can give some useful starter guidelines for various crops, starter fertilizers, and soil moisture conditions.
There has been a lot of discussion this winter about field peas and other pulse crops such as chickpeas and lentils. Some of the talk has focused on the proposed construction of a processing plant near Harrold. Some focused on the use of this crop for livestock feeding, pet food manufacturing, or human consumption.
The planting season is starting to sneak up on us already, and it is now less than 2 months away for crops like spring wheat. Let me assume that you still have not selected or made 100% of your seed purchases for all your crops, or that your intended acres for each crop may change due to weather conditions. I think most farmers will agree that they want to buy the variety that returns the highest profit per acre.
Field peas offer central and western South Dakota crop producers the opportunity to extend crop rotations and diversify cropping systems. They are legumes, which fix their own nitrogen and can therefore lower production costs for growers.
Timely rainfall is more critical than normal this growing season. Only the northeast corner of South Dakota has been removed from the drought designation, though it is still abnormally dry. Only 28% of subsoil moisture in the state is rated adequate to surplus in the latest USDA-NASS crop progress and condition report. Growers abandoning winter wheat and seeding a spring crop may want to consider the answers to these questions: 1) Are some crops thriftier with water and 2) did some crops in 2012 deplete soil moisture more than others?
Soil moisture conditions have changed some with recent snows and moistures. However, in some parts of the state, there still exists the possibility of dry planting conditions this spring. Regardless of soil moisture conditions where you are at, fortunately there is a calculator that can give some useful starter guidelines for various crops, starter fertilizers, and soil moisture conditions.
The planting season is starting to sneak up on us already, and it is now less than 2 months away for crops like spring wheat. Let me assume that you still have not selected or made 100% of your seed purchases for all your crops, or that your intended acres for each crop may change due to weather conditions. I think most farmers will agree that they want to buy the variety that returns the highest profit per acre.
Crop performance testing results are released annually through the activities of SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.