Digital Commons Network^™

Engaging Adult R3 Outdoor Educational Program Design To Strengthen Participation In Hunting And Fishing, Lauren Redmore, Shelby Isensee, Joshua Stafford, Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Declining participation in hunting and fishing has been slowed by women who are learning numerous outdoor skills through recruitment, retention, and reactivation [R3] programs. R3 programs are hosted by state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and businesses that take a variety of approaches to develop participant skills and confidence. To understand how R3 program design influences hunting and fishing participation, we conducted 11 focus group interviews with 72 participants at women’s R3 programs to identify program design components that women appreciate when learning to hunt and fish. Well-designed programs offered customized educational approaches to align with participants’ needs, created a supportive environment …

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, March 31, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, March 26, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

To Hunt Or Not To Hunt: Is It That Simple For Female Hunters?, Hayley Nash Jackson, Lauren Redmore, Christopher A. Cheek, Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Natural resource agencies and researchers have often focused efforts to reduce the constraints women face in hunting. However, many women continue to hunt despite these barriers, suggesting a need to understand the complex decisions they make. This study explores the decision space that women navigate despite logistical, cultural, and personal constraints. This mixed method study used free lists (n = 50) and semi-structured interviews (n = 22) to identify the most salient decisions women make to go hunting. These included decisions about gear, household responsibilities, hunting partners, land access, and pre-planning. Interviews revealed how women strategically make decisions to navigate …

Bison Health Network Newsletter, March 2026, Bison Health Network

Bison Health Network News

Newsletter contents:

Updates
Network Demographics
Health Highlight: Mycoplasma Bovis

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, February 26, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, February 18, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, February 10, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, February 3, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, January 21, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, January 13, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Genetic Determinants Associated With Persistence Of Listeria Species And Background Microflora From A Dairy Processing Environment, Vaishali Poswal, Sanjeev Anand, Jose L. Gonzalez-Hernandez, Brian Kraus

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Listeria monocytogenes is a persistent foodborne pathogen capable of surviving in food processing environments, often in association with diverse environmental microflora. This study examines genomic determinants of persistence, specifically stress adaptation and biofilm-associated traits, in environmental Listeria species and other environmental microflora from a dairy processing facility by analyzing whole-genome sequences of 6 environmental Listeria isolates, 4 ATCC reference strains, and 22 air and floor swab cultures, annotated using the RAST platform. Subsystem analysis revealed that Listeria isolates carried a defined set of genes linked to biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and stress response, though in lower abundance than environmental cultures. …

Cyber Security Related To Agricultural Data Encryption Using Edge Computing Devices, Mohammad Ashik Alahe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Smart Agriculture increasingly relies on image-based sensing, edge computing, and artificial intelligence to support data-driven decision-making in modern farming systems. While these technologies improve productivity and resource efficiency, they also introduce significant cybersecurity risks, particularly agricultural images transmitted and processed in real-time on resource-constrained edge devices. Unauthorized access, data manipulation, and interception of image data can lead to incorrect agronomic decisions and severe economic consequences. Despite this risk, efficient and practical cybersecurity solutions for real-time agricultural imaging remain limited. This study addresses these challenges by developing and evaluating encryption-based cybersecurity frameworks tailored for real-time agricultural image protection on edge computing …

125th Anniversary Planning Committee Records, Sdsu Archives And Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Archives Finding Aids

In 2006, South Dakota State University (SDSU) celebrated its 125th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history. To coordinate the commemoration, the university formed the 125th Anniversary Planning Committee, which oversaw all aspects of the celebration, including events, publications, and historical retrospectives. The committee, chaired by Carol J. Peterson, included university administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, working together to highlight SDSU’s legacy and achievements. Their efforts culminated in a series of activities designed to honor the university’s past and engage the campus and broader community in its rich history.

The collection consists of materials documenting the anniversary …

Marghab Papers, Vera Way, Sdsu Archives And Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Archives Finding Aids

Vera Way Marghab (1900–1995) was a pioneering entrepreneur in the luxury textile industry. Born in South Dakota, she studied piano in New York before co-founding Marghab, Ltd. on the Portuguese island of Madeira in 1933 with her husband, Emile Marghab. Together, they built one of the most esteemed embroidery houses, producing linens celebrated for their craftsmanship, exclusivity, and innovative design. Following Emile’s death in 1947, Vera led the company for nearly four decades, navigating shifts in global markets and political changes in Portugal before closing the business in 1984. Today, Marghab linens remain a benchmark of excellence, with a complete …

Popowski Papers, Bert, Sdsu Archives And Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Archives Finding Aids

Bert John Popowski (1904–1982) was a nationally recognized outdoor writer, photographer, and authority on hunting and wildlife whose career spanned more than fifty years. A graduate of South Dakota State College, he authored over 2,300 articles and numerous books that influenced mid-twentieth-century hunting practices, firearms knowledge, and conservation awareness. His writings appeared widely in leading American sporting publications and were also translated for international audiences. This collection reflects Popowski’s sustained impact on outdoor literature and hunting culture, documenting his role in popularizing varmint hunting, advancing hunting techniques and safety, and contributing to broader discussions of wildlife management and conservation during …

Academic Affairs Records, Sdsu Archives And Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Archives Finding Aids

Prior to 1960, the administration of academic programs at South Dakota State College was managed independently by departments and offices. As administrative responsibilities expanded, the position of Dean of Academic Affairs was established in 1960 to centralize oversight, later becoming the Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1973. This role, reporting directly to the university president, oversees college deans and plays a key role in curriculum development, faculty governance, accreditation, and institutional planning. The office has been instrumental in shaping academic policies, managing faculty development, and ensuring compliance with higher education standards.

The Academic Affairs Records Collection (1902–2018) documents the …

South Dakota Resources Coalition Records, Sdsu Archives And Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Archives Finding Aids

The South Dakota Resources Coalition was established in the early 1970s amid expanding federal environmental regulation and growing grassroots activism. In 1972, Governor Richard Kneip encouraged coordination among citizen environmental groups, and Esther R. Edie helped connect organizations statewide. This effort culminated in a South Dakota Environmental Symposium on September 28, 1972, which brought together state officials, specialists, and community representatives to address issues including water management, forestry practices, air quality, recycling, and the creation of a formal statewide organization. The South Dakota Environmental Coalition emerged from this meeting and soon engaged in state and national issues such as the …

Evaluating The Effects Of Biochar-Based Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers On Camelina Growth And Development In Greenhouse, Lily Geffre

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

The world’s dependence on conventional fertilizers such as urea allows for significantly increased crop yields but has also greatly contributed to the environmental degradation of agricultural lands and surrounding areas. Biochar-based slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) are an ideal alternative to conventional fertilizers, as they enhance nutrient uptake and retention, improve soil properties, and reduce nutrient leaching and volatilization. This study evaluated the effects of biochar-based SRFs, in comparison with traditional non-SRF fertilizers, on the vegetative growth, physiological growth, and yield of Camelina sativa under greenhouse conditions. Conventional urea yielded the best overall crop results, but a coated biochar-based urea SRF achieved …

Prevalence, Perception, And Prevention: Tobacco And Nicotine Use Amongst Middle And High School Students, Samantha Fischer

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

This study examines data from a survey conducted with South Dakota middle and high school principals about tobacco and nicotine use on school grounds and school district tobacco policies. The project was implemented through the South Dakota State University Population Health Evaluation Center and was sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Health Tobacco Control Program. Over 1.58 million high school students and 640,000 middle school students reported using some type of tobacco product in a 2024 report (United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2024). Of the middle and high school students who previously used tobacco products sometime in …

An Integrated Evaluation Of Trace Mineral Status, Regional Variation, And Supplementation Effects On Circulating Mineral And Reproductive Performance In American Plains Bison, Bailey M. Rodriguez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The continued expansion of the American Plains Bison (Bison bison) industry has increased the need for science-based nutritional recommendations tailored specifically to the species, due to limited species-specific research. Because trace minerals influence immune function, growth, and reproductive performance, establishing baseline mineral status and evaluating responses to supplementation are critical for advancing bison production and conservation efforts. This thesis integrates two complementary investigations to evaluate trace mineral status in American Plains bison at both regional and herd management levels. First, a herd level comparison evaluated the influence of differing mineral supplementation strategies on circulating mineral concentrations, herd performance, and reproductive …

Winter-Feeding High Forage Vs. High Concentrate Diets To Beef Cows: Effects On Placental Transcriptomics, Lactation Capacity, And Enteric Methane Emissions, Megan Ann Wehrbein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nutritional management and lactation performance are critical factors influencing productivity in cattle. This research includes two complementary studies. The first study was a meta-analysis to develop a lactation curve for Bos taurus cattle in North America using data from machine or hand milked cows. Data from 7 studies were used resulting in 1340 cow-day observations. Milk yield was analyzed by parity (primiparous or multiparous) and feeding management (non-nutrient restricted or nutrient restricted), revealing that primiparous cattle peaked earlier and at lower yields than multiparous cattle, and nutrient restriction reduced peak milk yield. Overall, Bos taurus cattle followed lactation trends similar …

Evaluating Methodologies For Estimating Enteric Emissions And Modeling Greenfeed Technology Utilization In Extensive Beef And Bison Grazing Systems, Aletta Laura Husmann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from grazing ruminants represent a significant component of U.S. agricultural emissions. However, enteric methane (CH4) from cow– calf systems on extensive rangelands pose substantial measurement and management challenges. The Northern Great Plains (NGP) supports nearly one-quarter of the U.S. beef cow population, yet regionally representative, herd-level enteric emission data from commercial ranches remain limited. This thesis integrates empirical field measurements with modeling approaches to evaluate the feasibility of quantifying enteric emissions on extensive rangelands and to examine system-level drivers influencing data yield, costs, and operational performance. Enteric methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were measured from …

The Fate And Removal Of E. Coli Across Liquid And Sludge Treatment Stages In An Activated -Sludge Water Resource Recovery Facility, Shrawan Tandukar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the fate and removal efficiency of Escherichia coli (E. coli) across both liquid and sludge treatment processes at a full-scale activated sludge water resource recovery facility (WRRF) in Brookings, South Dakota. Understanding pathogen reduction within wastewater treatment systems is critical for protecting public health and ensuring regulatory compliance, particularly in facilities practicing water reuse and biosolids management. Liquid and sludge samples were collected from multiple treatment stages between January and July 2025 and analyzed using the IDEXX Colilert Quanti-Tray 2000 method. This study quantifies E. coli concentrations throughout the treatment train to assess removal performance and identify …

Production Of Fungal Biomass And Crude Chitin From Cheese Whey: Effects Of Whey Type And Lactose Hydrolysis On Aspergillus Niger And Trichoderma Reesei, Anye Catharine Nora Drum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chitin is a biodegradable and biocompatible biopolymer with broad applications in the food, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries. Conventional chitin production from crustacean shells is associated with seasonal availability, intensive chemical processing, and environmental concerns, creating interest in more sustainable alternatives. Filamentous fungi represent a promising source of chitin because of their rapid growth and ability to utilize low cost agro-industrial residues. This study evaluated the feasibility of producing fungal biomass and crude chitin from cheese whey through submerged fermentation while investigating the effects of whey type and enzymatic lactose hydrolysis on fungal growth, substrate utilization, and wastewater remediation. Aspergillus …

Effect Of Increasing Potency Of Steroidal Implants In Beef Steers At Weaning From Dry-Lot To Finish, Weston Joseph Peschel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The receiving phase is a stressful transition period in beef production. Newly weaned cattle are offered low-energy, high-forage diets promoting lean tissue and bone development prior to the finishing phase. Steroidal implants containing trenbolone acetate (TBA) and estradiol benzoate (EB) enhance lean gain. Aggressive early implant exposure has been shown to negatively impact intramuscular fat deposition. This two-part study evaluated the initial and carryover effects of increasing doses of combined TBA and EB weaning implants on growth performance, serum metabolites, and carcass traits. In Exp. 1, newly weaned Charolais × Red Angus crossbred beef steers [n = 240 initially; body …

Effect Of Corn Processing Methods On Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Gastrointestinal Health In Ruminants Fed Finishing Diets, Reanna Rae Byrnes-Schoen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this work was to evaluate different feed processing techniques and their impacts on growth performance, carcass traits, and gastrointestinal health in ruminant animals fed in confinement during the finishing phase. Two studies were conducted. The first study evaluated the effect of kernel processing high moisture ear corn (HMEC) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers. The second study used feeder lambs to evaluate the effect of steam-flaking corn in a finishing diet on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health. The results from the first study using steers demonstrated that feeding kernel …

Strip-Till Adoption For Soybean Production In Eastern South Dakota: Plant Development, Seed Quality, And Economic Analysis, Nicolas Passone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soybean production in eastern South Dakota faces a persistent challenge: cool, wet spring conditions combined with heavy soils limit the adoption of conservation tillage despite its soil health and environmental benefits. Strip-tillage has been proposed as a middle-ground practice capable of providing conservation benefits while maintaining the seedbed quality advantages of conventional tillage. However, its performance in soybean production in South Dakota had not been evaluated prior to this work. This research examined the effects of tillage systems and fertilizer placement-timing, fertilizer rate, and seeding rate on soybean plant development, nutrient uptake, seed yield, chemical composition, and partial net economic …

Impacts Of Management Practices And Soil Properties On Free-Living Nitrogen Fixation In Eastern South Dakota, Laura Galvan Nuevo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Free-living nitrogen (N) fixation (FLNF) may represent a sustainable pathway to supplement crop N demand in agroecosystems, yet edaphic and management factors regulating this process under field conditions remain poorly understood in the Northern Great Plains. Using 15N2 direct method to quantify potential FLNF (pFLNF) and baseline FLNF (bFLNF), this thesis investigates how crop rotations (2-, 3-, and 4-year systems), tillage management (conventional vs. no-till), cover cropping, and soil properties affect the potential of free-living diazotrophs to supply N via FLNF in a long-term no-till corn-based system in Southeastern South Dakota. A two-year field study evaluated pFLNF across four growing …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2026), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists: South Dakota rangelands take center stage
[Page] 4 The professor and the soil
[Page] 8 Range ready: Helping students bridge the gap between conservation and agriculture
[Page] 9 Resilient rangelands: Native Plant Initiative’s role in reviving South Dakota’s prairies
[Page] 10 Jackrabbits lead the charge in bison research and education
[Page] 12 Agricultural and biosystems engineering celebrates century of education
[Page] 16 SDSU Quarter Scale Tractor Club: An impact beyond awards
[Page] 18 Building a legacy of opportunity: Karen D. Stuck Endowment strengthens agricultural communication program at South Dakota State University
[Page] …