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BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension will return to Dakotafest in 2024 with educational displays and on-site experts showcasing more than 10 topics.

Dakotafest is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Aug. 20-22, 2024, just south of Mitchell at 2300 E. Spruce St. The annual agricultural trade show brings together farmers, ranchers and agricultural industry professionals from across the region. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the gate.

SDSU Extension’s booth will be at lot 216. One of this year’s featured topics is emerald ash borer with John Ball, professor, SDSU Extension Forestry Specialist and South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Forest Health Specialist.

Ball will talk about copycat insects and cost-share options for removing ash trees from shelterbelts starting at 10:30 a.m. CDT on Aug. 20. Ash, a popular tree in South Dakota, are under threat from emerald ash borer.

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.

“Once detected in a community, it quickly spreads and kills most ash within five to ten years,” said John Ball, professor, SDSU Extension Forestry Specialist and South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Forest Health Specialist.

Other topics will include agricultural cybersecurity, precision agronomy, soil health, Beef Quality Assurance and other beef cattle topics, Sustaining the Legacy, land values and weeds. As always, there will be free SDSU ice cream served each day at 1:30 p.m.

“Dakotafest is a great time for SDSU Extension staff to hear from producers,” said Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist. “We enjoy sharing new research or talking about our upcoming programs, but what I really enjoy is meeting with past participants of our programs and hearing how the information provided is being used.”

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For more information, contact Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist, at 605-782-3290 or Heather.Gessner@sdstate.edu.