"What struck Fred most was not simply the economics. It was what happens to communities when the middle disappears."

If the soil test says, 'There's almost nothing here,' but the plant says, 'I'm doing just fine,' which one should we believe?" The article examines a field where soil tests indicated very low phosphorus levels, yet corn tissue tests and crop performance suggested adequate phosphorus nutrition. The author explores whether conventional soil tests capture the full range of phosphorus available to plants and highlights the need for further observation and research.

Across much of South Dakota this morning, producers woke up to frost advisories and freeze warnings — another reminder of how unpredictable this growing season has become.