SDSU Extension to Host Annual Soil Conference in Wagner

South Dakota State University Extension will host its Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit conference for crop producers and industry professionals in Wagner, followed by the Southeast Research Farm annual meeting.

The conference is from 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST on Dec. 10, 2024, at the Wagner Theater banquet room. Tickets are $25 per person for non-Southeast Research Farm members, and free for members; the cost includes lunch. Sponsorships are also available. To register as a sponsor or attendee, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “soil”. 

Managing Soil: Maximizing Profit is an annual conference for crop producers and industry professionals. Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist, said the conference provides valuable information for everyone who raises crops, forages and livestock. 

“Good crops and forages happen because of good soil,” Bly said. “Come and learn more about the soil.”

Bly and Pete Sexton, associate professor, SDSU Extension Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist and Southeast Research Farm Supervisor, will start the conference with a discussion about their experience with no-till crops. 

“The main themes of the meeting are managing the farming system for soil health and profit, and integrating grazing cattle into the crop production system,” Sexton said. 

Other speakers will include Jim Williams, a farmer from St. Charles, South Dakota, who will talk about producing his own compost extracts for crops. Brian Johnson, from Frankfort, will discuss how he builds soil health through integrated crop and cattle production.

Kevin Sedivec, a professor of range science at North Dakota State University, will present his work on managing annual forages and cover crops for grazing. 

After lunch, there will be a panel discussion and the Southeast Research Farm board will hold its annual meeting and elections. Continuing education credits for certified crop advisors will be available.

For more information, contact Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist; or Sara Bauder, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist.