REGENTS REPORT

South Dakota Higher Education: Good Investment. Great Future.   NO. 77, 07/25/97

Agriculture
University Ag Research Plays Important Role

The role that research plays affects the lives of people across the state. Far from simply being academia exploring abstract ideas, agricultural research in South Dakota has taken the lead in helping crops, livestock, and us be more healthy. South Dakota higher education has always played an important role in cooperating with government and private industry to provide the necessary resources to improve the quality of life. This report looks at some of the agricultural research in South Dakota.

Agricultural Experiment Station

The mission of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station is to enhance the quality of life of all South Dakotans--producers and consumers, rural and city dwellers. Ag researchers are problem solvers. The Ag Experiment Station research, 150 current projects, covers all aspects of agriculture--from farm field and ranch pasture through the market place to the end users. A common theme of Ag Experiment Station projects is to alleviate biostress on humans, animals, and the environment. Some of the current research is highlighted below.

• Soybeans - the miracle food. Soy foods substantially lower the risk of heart disease and cancer. But only 3% of the entire soy protein supply is now used for human consumption. New processing methods being investigated will preserve health-giving chemicals and contribute to increased demand for soy foods. SDSU researchers are studying the cancer-preventative properties of isoflavones found in soybeans, and developing ways to process soy protein without destroying the isoflavones. They are also seeking ways to recover isoflavones from soybean by-products.

• Increased profits for cattle producers. SDSU researchers are studying ways to reduce the annual cost of maintaining a cow, while increasing the cow's reproductive performance. They are studying whether calving later in the spring and weaning earlier in the fall will reduce the cost of wintering the cow herd, while increasing calf survival rates.

• No-till answers to soil erosion are enhanced through a new public and private partnership involving SDSU's Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service, S.D. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Hughes County Conservation District, and Ducks Unlimited. This interagency partnership brings resources together to provide information, rather than having each entity try to meet the needs of local citizens independently and at a higher cost. The project is headquartered at SDSU's Dakota Lakes Research Station near Pierre. It will feature farm demonstrations, and direct assistance for farmers. Teams of educators, agronomists, conservationists and farmers will work to increase knowledge levels of no-till systems and their applications across the state.

Cooperative Extension Service

The South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service continually helps individuals, families, small businesses, and corporations. Extension’s strength is built on a team approach. County field staff are especially visible through the work they do at the local level. There are also specialists at South Dakota State University who provide assistance at the state level. Areas of expertise include animal and range science, agricultural engineering, dairy sciences, agricultural economics, human development, financial management, nutrition, plant science, veterinary science, and more. Some examples of recent Extension outreach services are highlighted below.

• Winter Blizzard Assistance--Coop Extension Agents coordinated snow removal efforts by groups including the National Guard so that farmers and ranchers could gain access to their feed supplies. Supported by Extension Specialists assistance was provided in developing alternative rations and in utilizing alternative feeds to meet the energy requirements of their livestock. The Extension Service produced three Public TV Specials focused on topics ranging from agriculture production to dealing with the emotional and financial stresses of the winter of ‘96-97. Extension Agents also collected the information needed to allow disaster designations and subsequent federal emergency assistance. As spring approached, agents assisted producers in analyzing planting options and in selecting crops best suited to the growing conditions and shortened growing season.

• Support of Family and Community--Extension clientele, from farmers and ranchers, to homemakers, to families and youth, live in a fast changing world and the Extension Service is making new partnerships to provide foundations for ever more comprehensive and effective programs. Some examples include Character Counts, a program that teaches Seven Pillars of Ethics to youth in various ages groups. Leadership for this program is provided by 4-H, with collaboration involving the schools and dozens of other public and private groups.

Veterinary Research and Diagnostics

The Veterinary Science Department at South Dakota State University also provides valuable service to the state’s producers and conducts animal disease research at the Animal Disease Research & Diagnostics Laboratory which receives state and federal funding. Some estimates put livestock losses to disease and environment at 15 to 20%. Part of the mission of the Veterinary Science Department is to find and eliminate these losses. Some of the research projects that have helped South Dakota’s producers are below.

• Johne’s Disease—a new test for Johne’s disease in cattle was developed. Until now, infected cows could go unnoticed while they spread the bacteria to infect every calf in a herd.

• E. coli—studies have been done to detect the protein that makes neonatal and weaned pigs susceptible to E. coli infection. This will allow producers to genetically select for resistant swine using technology.

• BVD—researchers have been working on better ways to identify cattle who carry bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus. This research will allow producers to keep infected animals out of clean herds.

E-mail us at: info@bor.state.sd.us

Conclusion

These are just some examples of the research being conducted to improve the viability of agriculture in South Dakota and sustain it well into the future. Ag research is just one example of how the public university system supports agriculture in South Dakota. For more information on these and other research projects contact the Board of Regents or your nearest university.