News
Soil Health School offers life-changing networking opportunities
By Stan Wise In 2019, Mitchell, SD, producer Mike Blaalid found like-minded producers and experts at the South Dakota Soil Health School, and meeting them helped him make some big changes in his operation. “I just had specific ideas I wanted to see what they thought...
Healthy land management can prevent dust storms
By Stan Wise South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE – In the past month, dust storms have been making headlines across the western United States, including South Dakota. Blowing soil has created driving hazards due to low visibility, and accumulated wind-blown silt...
Living roots: Fighting soil compaction with biology and diversity
By Stan Wise As farm equipment has modernized, it has become much larger. That extra horsepower comes at a cost – and not just the one on the sticker. “Back in the day, they weren’t recommending any more than 5 tons per axle,” South Dakota State University Soils Field...
Cover crops require careful management
By Stan Wise With dry conditions still covering most of South Dakota, increasing water infiltration rates and water storage capacities is an important task for the state’s agricultural producers. Some of them have turned to cover crops to improve the water use...
Annual awards, student contest winners announced at Soil Health Conference
South Dakota State University Extension Soils Field Specialist Anthony Bly was presented with the 2022 Friend of Soil Health Award during the 2022 Soil Health Conference hosted by the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, Jan. 18-19, in Aberdeen, SD. Coalition Board...
Gov. Noem Proclaims Feb. 13-19 Soil Health Awareness Week
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has proclaimed Feb. 13-19, 2022, to be Soil Health Awareness Week. Agriculture is South Dakota’s most important industry, contributing 129,753 jobs, 11.7 billon dollars in total value added, and 32.1 billion dollars in total output....
Fencing Made Easy: Grazing Corn Residue
In this video SD Soil Health Coalition Board Member and Selby-area producer Doug Sieck explains how he easily places polywire fencing for grazing cattle in his corn residue during the winter!
Treating problems, not symptoms: Conference brings soil experts to Aberdeen
By Stan Wise Soil health is the new hot topic in agriculture. It’s showing up everywhere from government policy discussions to industry initiatives, from news articles to documentary films. Why is it so important? “Soil health is the foundation of the whole food...