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SDSU Extension

Latest Recommendations

Addie Womack smiles at the camera. She has long, curly blonde hair and is wearing a grey shirt

SDSU Extension welcomes new livestock specialist

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Addie Womack as a new Livestock Production and Stewardship Specialist.

Early emerging bull thistle and common mullein in the rosette stage.

Biennial Weed Species Have Started to Emerge

The warmer weather this year has caused some biennial weed species to emerge earlier than normal. Learn some management considerations for areas that have been historically infested with biennial weeds.

A mother with three children at a craft table cutting and gluing pieces of colored paper.

Childcare Needs in South Dakota

There is a shortage of rural daycare providers throughout South Dakota. SDSU Extension provides resources, partnerships, and research on advocating for early childhood workforce development and striving to help providers and communities with childcare.

Row of young crops emerging from a tire rut in compacted soil.

Accounting for Soil Wetness Prior to Conducting Farm Operations to Minimize Compaction

In the spring many agricultural producers are anxious to get into the field and perform tillage, planting, and chemical applications. However, if field operations are done when the soil is too wet, this can lead to soil compaction.

A screenshot of the website shows a map of the United States with green squares indicating where soil fertility trials have been conducted

New digital Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool launches nationwide

South Dakota State University Extension and project partners are proud to announce the nationwide release of the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST), a decision aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization.

Young, black angus cattle eating feed in a feedlot.

Healthy Guts Make Healthy Cattle

Feed additives, including probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, can be incorporated in beef cattle diets to help improve animal health, increase performance, and reduce antibiotic use.

Our Impact

As the outreach arm of our state’s land grant, South Dakota State University, SDSU Extension is able to provide farmers, ranchers, agri-business people, communities, families and youth with the research-based information they need to succeed.

    216,854

    Individuals Reached

    $5,909,271.50

    Value of Volunteer Hours

    114,099

    Adult and Youth Educational Contacts

Explore Our Impacts

Further Reading

sun rising over South Dakota field

South Dakota Pest Management Guides

The South Dakota Pest Management guides are now available for free. The guides offer recommendations for controlling weeds, insects, and diseases in a variety of South Dakota crops.

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South Dakota Agricultural Land Market Trends

The 2023 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Farm Real Estate Market Survey is the 33rd annual survey of agricultural land values and cash rental rates by land use and quality in different regions of South Dakota.

man holding a small pile of soil in his hands

Fertilizer Recommendation Guide

SDSU Extension fertilizer recommendations are based on field research in South Dakota and neighboring states.

A low-gradient prairie river that is very meandering.

Understanding Western South Dakota Prairie Streams

This document provides information and guidance for landowners and land managers in western South Dakota who are managing small intermittent streams.

Upcoming Events

A young woman browsing personal finance resources on a laptop computer.
Apr 23

Financial Fireside Chats - Webinar Series

SDSU Extension will host a weekly series of six free webinars focused on increasing financial knowledge and improving financial wellbeing on Tuesdays from April 23 to May 28, 2024, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CDT.

Shooting sports instructors and participants training at an indoor range.
Apr 26

4-H State Shoot

SDSU Extension 4-H will host the 2024 4-H Sping State Shoot April 26–28 in locations throughout Pierre and Fort Pierre, South Dakota.

Two ranchers participating in beef quality assurance training at a cattle facility.
Apr 29

Beef Quality Assurance Training @ Eagle Butte

SDSU Extension will host a beef quality assurance (BQA) training on April 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Eagle Butte at Landmark Hall (321 Main St, Eagle Butte, SD 57625).

A group of older people sitting outside talking
May 01

Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota Workshop @ Salem

SDSU Extension will host a six-week Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota workshop on chronic disease management. The workshops are from 9:00-11:30 a.m. every Wednesday from May 1-June 5 at Salem Chiropractic Clinic (740 Main St, Salem, SD 57058).