SDSU Extension will featuring info on emerald as borer at Dakotafest

Dakotafest returns next week, Aug. 20-22, just south of Mitchell. The annual agricultural trade show brings together farmers, ranchers and agricultural industry professionals from across the region. 

SDSU Extension’s booth will be featuring information on emerald ash borer with SDSU professor and Extensions Forestry Specialist John Ball.

Ball will talk about copycat insects and cost-share options for removing ash trees from shelterbelts starting at 10:30 on Aug. 20. 

An insect native to China, emerald ash borer was first discovered in the U.S. in 2002 in Michigan. It was confirmed in South Dakota in 2018 in Minnehaha County and in Brookings in July 2024. It is expected to continue spreading across the state.

Ball says that, once detected in a community, it quickly spreads and kills most ash within five to ten years.

Other topics at the Extension booth will include agricultural cybersecurity, precision agronomy, soil health, Beef Quality Assurance and other beef cattle topics, There will also be free SDSU ice cream served each day at 1:30 p.m.