News

Interseeding Alfalfa for Soil Health

By Stan Wise Late summer is a good time for producers to inspect their alfalfa fields and address any problem areas. If there are any bare spots or a stand reduction caused by heat stress, flooding, drought or cold temperatures the previous winter, producers can seed...

Consider herbicide residual impact when planting cover crops

By Lura Roti For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – Cover crops are an increasingly popular land management tool capable of providing a numerous agricultural benefits including improved soil health, weed control, and additional revenue streams for...

Stay flexible when grazing through varied conditions

By Janelle Atyeo For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – Will there be enough forage for the herd? When will it rain? Agriculture producers are often called upon to make decisions without having all the necessary information. Weather is hard to predict by...

Invest in land at Soil Health School, June 25-26 in Caputa

PIERRE, SD – “Invest in land, they’re not making it anymore.” It’s an age-old sentiment that was once expressed by Mark Twain and is now a familiar refrain in the agricultural community. Twain specifically said to “buy land,” but some producers have learned there is...

Virtual fences can make a real difference

By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – Moving livestock is an inescapable part of a rancher’s life, and it can be labor intensive, especially if a producer uses a rotational grazing system designed to improve rangeland and soil health. But what if it doesn’t have to be? Enter...

Regenerative ag can grow the bottom line

By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – As regenerative agriculture gains traction as a hot topic, one question dominates the farming community: Does it pay? Simply put, yes, it does. Regenerative ag is an approach to land management that focuses on improving soil health,...

Awards, new board member announced at Soil Health Conference

PIERRE, SD – The Ninth Annual Soil Health Conference, Jan. 15-16 at the Ramkota Hotel and Event Center in Watertown, SD, saw approximately 500 attendees, including over a hundred students. The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition was thrilled to offer this opportunity...

Noted rancher, author to explain ‘sweet spot’ of grazing at conference

By Janelle Atyeo For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – Tom Krawiec found the sweet spot for grazing quite by accident. The Canadian rancher sought out the point where grass in his pasture was both established enough to stay healthy and nutritious enough...