News

Long-term research reveals advantages of diverse crop rotations

By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – It can take time for scientists to build new knowledge of biological processes, especially when those processes play out over the course of years. Researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service North Central...

‘Park the chisel’: First step toward soil health can be simple

By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – The benefits of improved soil health for agricultural producers and gardeners are numerous and valuable – reduced input costs, improved profitability, drought and flood resilience, reduced erosion, improved water quality, increased wildlife...

Saline Soil Management: More Money With Fewer Crop Acres

By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – Salinity areas. Trouble spots. White deserts. Regardless of what they’re called, saline soils are a problem for South Dakota. White, salty areas where nothing grows are a common sight in fields across the state. “The amount of salinity that's...

Small grains can increase profitability

By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – When Cronin Farms partner Tregg Cronin takes the long view of his operation, he knows that including a small grain in his rotation can lead to higher profitability. “Consistently we see a yield bump following that year of wheat and, in our...

Finding the pieces: Soil Health Conference offers education, networking opportunities

By Stan Wise Hughes County producer Terry Ness knows the value of South Dakota’s annual Soil Health Conference. “I compare this whole soil health journey to a 10,000-piece puzzle, and we’ve got maybe a thousand pieces in place,” he said. “Every time you go to an event...

Growing Connections: New app creates soil health social network

By Janelle Atyeo For the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – South Dakota farmers, ranchers and gardeners are making strides in improving soil health, and they’re willing to share what works and what doesn’t. A new app from the South Dakota Soil Health...

Volga 4-Hers Win Student Soil Health Video Contest

Volga students Caleb Barsness and Dane Olson won first place in the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition’s 2022 Soil Health Demonstration Student Video Contest. The two sixth-grade Sioux Valley Middle School students, representing the West Sioux 2 4-H Club, will be...

Conference speakers: Solving ag problems begins with the soil

By Stan Wise For fifth-generation Indiana crop and livestock producer Rick Clark, soil health and regenerative agriculture are about stewardship. “You have to be good stewards of the land,” he said. “If you think it's OK to watch your topsoil blow away in the wind,...