Digital Commons Network^™

Prairie Cordgrass Cellulose: A Sustainable Resource To Develop Biodegradable Films, Mominul Hoque

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plastics are versatile and cost-effective materials with a wide variety of functionalities. Their non-biodegradability, however, is an environmental concern. Plastic waste accumulation in landfills and natural habitats results in health issues, mainly due to the leaching of chemicals from plastic products that further transfer to humans and wildlife. Many countries around the globe have imposed restrictions on plastic use. Despite these concerted efforts, a pressing scientific need exists to find an alternative to plastics. Cellulose from abundant agricultural biomass stands out as a viable alternative due to its robust structure, biocompatibility, biodegradability, low density, and non-toxicity. This research aims to …

A Post-Pneumonia Epizootic Evaluation Of The Rapid City, South Dakota Bighorn Sheep Herd, Amanda N. Ensrud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pneumonia is a major factor affecting populations of free-ranging bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) across western North America. Pneumonia can occur in large-scale epizootics, during which greater than half of the population typically dies. After these epizootics, surviving ewes continue to conceive and bear lambs. However, lamb recruitment may remain low due to periodic or annual pneumonia outbreaks causing high lamb mortality rates, sometimes greater than 90%. Our study focused on the Rapid City, South Dakota bighorn sheep (BHS) herd that has recorded pneumonia-induced population decline since 2009. The first objective was to improve lamb health and survival by identifying and …

Post-Fledging Habitat Selection And Movements Of Juvenile Mallards In The Prairie Pothole Region, Cynthia E. Anchor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America provides critical habitat for waterfowl across life stages, but anthropogenic changes to the landscape have negatively impacted habitat quality for waterfowl. The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is abundant and socioeconomically valuable in the PPR, as it is a preferred target species of waterfowl hunters. Extensive research has evaluated breeding ecology of mallards in the PPR, but the period between juvenile mallards fledging and migrating has rarely been studied. The post-fledging ecology of juvenile mallards is a vital consideration for comprehensive waterfowl management. Further, juvenile mallards are a significant portion of hunter harvest at …

Movement Probabilities Of Bigheaded Carps (Hypophthalmichthys Spp.) In The Illinois River Estimated From Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods, A. A. Coulter, M. K. Brey, M. Lubjeko, J. L. Kalis, D. Coulter, D. C. Glover, G. W. Whitledge, J. E. Garvey

NRM Departmental Data Sets

Previously published work used program MARK to estimate parameters for multistate models for Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver Carp (H. molitrix) (Coulter et al. 2018) movements in the Illinois River. Multistate models estimate transition probability (psi), survival probability (S), and detection probability (p) and models with those parameters varying by state and time (state*time), just state (state), just time (time), and neither (.) were evaluated for each species (Coulter et al. 2018). Using the format of the top model for each species identified in Coulter et al. (2018), Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods were …

Project-Based Learning In Non-Traditional Settings In Engineering Education, Mary Foss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of utilizing the principles of Project-based learning (PJBL) in nontraditional settings in engineering education. There is ample literature related to the usage of PJBL techniques in engineering education but there are also challenges with incorporating PJBL within the curriculum. It is the aim of this dissertation to build upon this understanding of the advantages and limitations of PJBL in engineering education and identify areas within the existing body of knowledge in which more research is needed. This dissertation divides this topic into 4 sub-topics. The first sub-topic explores how PJBL …

Cover Crops To Improve Soil Health In The North American Great Plains, Augustine K. Obour, Logan M. Simon, Jonathon D. Holman, Patrick M. Carr, Meagan Schipanski, Steven Fonte, Rajan Ghimire, Thandiwe Nleya, Humberto Blanco-Canqui

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Rotating cereal crops (e.g., wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] with a 10- to 21-mo summer fallow period [fallow]) is a common farming practice in dryland (rainfed) agricultural regions. Fallow is associated with several challenges including low precipitation storage efficiency, depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC), loss of soil fertility, little crop residue retention and soil erosion, and few control options for herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds. The inability to effectively control HR weeds poses a major challenge to maintaining soil and water conservation practices such as no-tillage, as some producers are considering tillage to control weeds. Cover crop (CC) integration into wheat-based …

Residents’ Perceptions Of Small-Scale Rural Events: A Dual Theory Approach, Xu Li

Consumer Sciences Faculty Publications

Previous studies have focused on residents’ perceived impacts on the host communities (perceived impacts at community level), and neglected residents’ perceptions of event impacts on their personal lives (perceived impacts at individual level). Built upon social exchange theory and social representation theory, this study explored how local residents perceived the impacts of small-scale recurring events in a rural area. A total of 208 valid responses were obtained through a self-administrated online survey. Paired sample t-tests and independent samples t-tests were employed to test the hypotheses. The results showed that rural residents perceived greater economic, social and environmental impacts at the …

The Medium-Term Impacts Of Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems On Crop Yield And Economic Performance, Teerath Singh Rai, Thandiwe Nleya, Sandeep Kumar, Peter Saxton, Tong Wang, Yubing Fan

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Integrated crop–livestock (ICL) systems are diverse production systems that can improve resource utilization through spatially or temporally rotating land among crop, livestock, and pasture uses. However, research on whether the enhanced resource utilization translates to greater crop productivity is still warranted. A field experiment was initiated at South Dakota State University in 2016 to determine the impacts of integrating cover crops and livestock grazing into a crop rotation of oat (Avena sativa L.)–maize (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The objectives were to (a) determine the medium-term (4–6 yr) impacts of cover crops and livestock grazing …

Global Forces Of Change: Implications For Forest-Poverty Dynamics, Priya Shyamsundar, Laura Aileen Sauls, Jennifer Zavaleta Cheek, Kira Sullivan-Wiley, J.T. Erbaugh, P. P. Krishnapriya

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

This article examines global trends likely to influence forests and tree-based systems and considers the poverty implications of these interactions. The trends, identified through a series of expert discussions and review of the literature, include: (i) climatic impacts mediated through changes in forests, (ii) growth in commodity markets, (iii) shifts in private and public forest sector financing, (iv) technological advances and rising interconnectivity, (v) global socio-political movements, and (vi) emerging infectious diseases. These trends bring opportunities and risks to the forest-reliant poor. A review of available evidence suggests that in a business-as-usual scenario, the cumulative risks posed by these global …

College Of Natural Sciences Scholarship Brunch Program, November 6th 2021, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

This is the program for the first annual College of Natural Sciences Scholarship Brunch, held on November 6th, 2021 at McCrory Gardens.

College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, November 2021, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Volume 2, Issue 11

Page 1 Dean's Message
Page 2 Awards & Recognition
Page 3 Media Coverage of CNS
Page 4 2021 Day of Scholars
Page 5 Astronomy Outreach
Page 6 SDSU Faculty & Students Host American Society for Microbiology Annual Conference
Page 7 Scholarship Brunch
Page 8 Open PRAIRIE Data, SI Final Exam Review Sessions
Page 9 Aamlid Family Anatomy Lab Photos

Impulse, Fall 2021, Matt Schmidt, Emily Weber, Christine Delfanian, Dave Graves, Micayla Standish

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

2 | Lohr Endows Dean Position
4 | Faculty News
8 | Prasad Receives NSF Career Award
12 | Jones Steps Aside
14 | Liu Already Busy at Work
15 | Hemphill Leads Heavy Highway Construction
16 | Hitting the Road for CIM Program
18 | Rave Precision Ag Center Opens
20 | 'Mr. Missouri River Energy Services' Honored
22 | Recalling the 1971 Crisis
26 | Students Help With Robotic Walker
28 | Liu Receives Sander Professorship
31 | SDSU Nabs 5 Tau Beta Pi Scholarships
32 | Chapter Honored
33 | Marcy Receives Leadership Honor
34 | Hackman …

College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, October 2021, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Volume 2, Issue 10

Page 1 Dean's Message
Page 2 Awards and Recognition; Introducing Natural Sciences Student Ambassadors
Page 3 Media Coverage of CNS
Page 4 Spooky Science Outreach
Page 5 The BIG Event Outreach
Page 6 Geography Club Road Trip
Page 7 Aamlid Family Anatomy Lab
Page 8 Hobo Day Recap
Page 10 Open PRAIRIE Data; Grants Awarded in CNS

Managing Invasive Plants On Great Plains Grasslands: A Discussion Of Current Challenges, John F. Gaskin, Erin Espeland, Casey D. Johnson, Diane L. Larson, Jane M. Mangold, Rachel A. Mcgee, Chuck Milner, Shishir Paudel, Dean E. Pearson, Lora B. Perkins, Chadley W. Prosser, Justin B. Runyon, Sharlene E. Sing, Zachary A. Sylvain, Amy J. Symstad, Daniel R. Tekiela

Native Plant Focused Publications

The Great Plains of North America encompass approximately 1,300,000 km2 of land from Texas to Saskatchewan. The integrity of these lands is under continual assault by long-established and newly-arrived invasive plant species, which can threaten native species and diminish land values and ecological goods and services by degrading desired grassland resources. The Great Plains are a mixture of privately and publicly owned lands, which leads to a patchwork of varying management goals and strategies for controlling invasive plants. Continually updated knowledge is required for efficient and effective management of threats posed by changing environments and invasive plants. Here we discuss …

Farmers’ Adoption And Perceived Benefits Of Diversified Crop Rotations In The Margins Of U.S. Corn Belt, Tong Wang, Jin Hailong, Yubing Fan, Oladipo Obembe, Dapeng Li

Economics Faculty Publications

Monoculture and simplified two-crop rotation systems compromise the ecosystem services essential to crop production, diminish agricultural productivity, and cause detrimental effects on the environment. In contrast to the simplified two-crop rotation, diversified crop rotation (DCR) refers to rotation systems that contain three or more crops. Despite multiple benefits generated by DCR, its usage has dwindled over the past several decades. This paper examined determinants of farmers' adoption decisions and perceived benefits of DCR in the west margins of the U.S. Corn Belt where crop diversity has declined. We analyzed 708 farmer responses from a farmer survey conducted in the eastern …

Integration Of Crop-Livestock Systems: An Opportunity To Protect Grasslands From Conversion To Cropland In The Us Great Plains, Alexander J. Smart, Daren Redfearn, Robert Mitchell, Tong Wang, Cody Zilverberg, Peter J. Bauman, Justin D. Derner, Julie Walker, Cody Wright

Native Plant Focused Publications

The Great Plains is a mixture of cropland and grassland mainly used for agricultural purposes, with grasslands under continual threat of conversion to cropland. Agriculturists are advocating for the integration of crop-livestock systems (ICLS) to recouple nutrient cycles, improve biodiversity, and increase resilience of agricultural operations. We address the benefits of ICLS in the Great Plains, contending that focus on improving soil health and financial stability of agricultural operations should reduce the conversion of grasslands to cropland. Using US Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Census of Agriculture survey data from the 1925−2017 category “cropland used only for pasture …

Data From A Public–Industry Partnership For Enhancing Corn Nitrogen Research, Curtis J. Ransom, Jason Clark, Gregory Mac Bean, Chris Bandura, Matthew E. Shafer, Newell R. Kitchen, Et.Al

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Improving corn (Zeamays L.) N managementis pertinent to economic andenvironmental objectives. However, there are limited comprehensive data sources to develop and test N fertilizer decision aid tools across a wide geographic range of soil and weather scenarios. Therefore, a public-industry partnership was formed to conduct standardized corn N rate response field studies throughout the U.S. Midwest. This research was conducted using a standardized protocol at 49 site-years across eight states over the 2014–2016 growing seasons with many soil, plant, and weather related measurements. This note provides the data (found in supplemental files), outlines the data, summarizes key findings, and highlights …

Yield And Economic Performance Of Crop Rotation Systems In South Dakota, Hanxiao Feng, Tong Wang, Shannon L. Osborne, Sandeep Kumar

Economics Faculty Publications

Crop yield and economic profitability, both highly dependent on local crop management, soil characteristics, and weather conditions, are among the most influential factors to consider when considering a cropping system. The objective of this study was to compare the economic returns of three different 4-yr diverse crop rotations with that of a 2-yr traditional crop rotation in eastern South Dakota. The rotations included were (a) corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–pea (Pisum sativum L.) (CSSwP), (b) corn–pea–winter wheat–soybean (CPWwS), (c) corn–oat (Avena sativa L.)–winter wheat–soybean (COWwS), and (d) corn–soybean …

Adopting Cover Crops And Buffer Strips To Reduce Nonpoint Source Pollution: Understanding Farmers’ Perspectives In The U.S. Northern Great Plains, Tong Wang, Z. Fan, Sandeep Kumar, B. Kasu

Economics Faculty Publications

Agricultural nonpoint source pollution has been identified as a major cause of water quality impairments. Utilizing survey data from the Northern Great Plains, this paper provides a better understanding of farmers’ perceptions on water quality issues in their local areas. Excessive algal bloom and aquatic plants were among producers’ top water quality concerns in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Fertilizers/pesticides were perceived as either not a problem (28.7%) or a slight problem (43.7%) when it comes to the water pollution sources. While only 17.2% of the respondents indicated agreement upon paying taxes to help protect the local water quality, …

Conservation Agriculture For Food Security And Climate Resilience In Nepal, Deepak R. Joshi, Rajan Ghimire, Tulsi Kharel, Umakant Mishrra, Sharon A. Clay

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Achieving the sustainable development goals of the United Nations requires innovations in agriculture and development of climate-smart and economically feasible approaches for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Historical climate data of Nepal, which include 116 yr since 1901, has shown an increasing trend for average temperature by 0.016 ˚C yr–1 whereas precipitation has shown a decreasing trend by 0.137 mm yr–1. Such weather trends could enhance glacier melt associated flooding, and delayed monsoon rainfalls negatively impacting the agricultural production. The Nepalese government is promoting conservation agriculture (CA) through development of low-cost technologies that can be used effectively in difficult terrains. …

Snowier Winters Extend Autumn Availability Of High-Quality Forage For Caribou In Arctic Alaska, J. C, Richert, A. J. Leffler, D. E. Spalinger, J. M. Walker

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) rely on the short Arctic growing season to restore body condition, support the demands of lactation, and prepare for the long arctic winter, making them susceptible to even small changes in forage availability or quality. Body condition in the summer and autumn is linked to winter survival rates and fecundity in cows, critical factors in the productivity of caribou populations. Climate change predictions of warmer and wetter northern winters suggest increased snowfall over Alaska’s North Slope, which has recently been verified between 1995 and 2017. However, a comprehensive analysis of how deeper snow will affect caribou forage …

Understanding Producers’ Perspectives On Rotational Grazing Benefits Across Us Great Plains, Tong Wang, Hailong Jin, Urs Kreuter, Richard Teague

Economics Faculty Publications

Experimental findings on rotational grazing (RG) trials have generally differed from producer observations of RG outcomes on commercial scale ranches. Factors such as small plot size, short duration trials and relatively rigid grazing management that lacks responsiveness to the dynamic and complex social-ecological systems in grazing trials could all contribute to this disparity in outcomes. These differences call for a better understanding of producer perceptions of RG benefits. To fill this knowledge gap, we surveyed 4500 producers from the Northern and Southern Great Plains of the USA. Among the 875 respondents, 40.5% reported that they used continuous grazing (CG), 52.7% …

The New Beginnings Newsletter, June 2021, Wokini Initiative

Wokini Initiative: The New Beginnings Newsletter

Seven Wokini Challenge Grants Awarded for FY 2022
Open Positions: Director of Wokini and Tribal Relations, Program Coordinator
Book of the Month

2021 South Dakota Producer Resurvey Descriptive Results, Tong Wang, Jessica Ulrich-Schad, Stephen Cheye, Ness School Of Management And Economics

South Dakota Farm Survey

From January to March 2021, researchers from South Dakota State University (SDSU) and Utah State University (USU) conducted a resurvey of South Dakota of commodity crop producers in the eastern part of the state to study their attitudes and usage of soil and water conservation practices including cover crops, diversified crop rotations, conservation tillage, and integrated crop and livestock management. These same producers completed a similar survey in 2018 (see Wang et al. 2021a, b; Saak et al. 2021; Kolady et al. 2020; Avemegah et al. 2020).1 In the 2018 surveys, farming operations in 34 South Dakota counties east of …

Near Term Challenges For Global Agriculture - Herbicide Resistant Weeds, Sharon Clay

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Prior to the 1950s weeds were controlled by a wide variety of mechanical and cultural methods with limited use of inorganic chemicals at very high rates (100s kg ha–1). With the advent of selective carbon-based herbicides in the 1950s, herbicide weed management became the norm throughout much of the world using grams to a few kg of active ingredient per ha. However, with the benefits, there are problems. A few resistant weeds were recognized in the 1970s, but today, in 2021, 521 unique cases of resistance have been documented throughout the world. It is imperative for farmers to rethink the …

South Dakota State University One Hundred Thirty-Fifth Commencement Ceremonies, May 8-9, 2021, Brookings, South Dakota, South Dakota State University

Commencement Programs

Please note: The names listed in the program are not official confirmation of meeting the graduation requirements. Commencement for the 135th Commencement at South Dakota State University consists of morning and afternoon ceremonies on May 8th and May 9th. Each program will commence with introductions by University President Barry H. Dunn. Dennis D. Hedge, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will acknowledge student honors and Lt. Col. Jason A. Haufschild, Air Force ROTC, and Lt. Col. Jason W. Kettwig, Army ROTC, recognizing Army and Air Force commissions for each ceremony. The SATURDAY MORNING ceremony (page 7) will mark the …

Expanding Grass-Based Agriculture On Marginal Land In The U.S. Great Plains: The Role Of Management Intensive Grazing, Tong Wang, Hailong Jin, Urs Kreuter, Richard Teague

Economics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Cover-Crop Usage In South Dakota: Farmer Perceived Profitability And Future Adoption Decisions, Tong Wang, Zheng Xu, Deepthi Kolady, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad, David Clay

Economics Faculty Publications

Using bivariate ordered logit models, we investigate factors that determine farmers’ perceptions of cover-crop profitability and likelihood of future usage in the climate transition zone of the Northern Great Plains. Our results indicate that approximately 40% of long-term (10+ years) users perceived a profit increase of more than 5%. Additionally, future adoption decisions are positively affected by environment-oriented attitudes and negatively affected by prioritizing short-term profitability. More efforts can be directed toward educational programs that enhance understanding of the short- versus long-term economic benefits of cover crops.

Production Of Monoclonal And Polyclonal Antibodies Against Prrsv Mlvd23-S Tag Peptide Sequence, Katelyn Bettin

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an RNA virus which belongs to the family Arteriviridae. Since its emergence in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, PRRSV has had a major economic effect on the swine industry. The most notable effects of this disease are respiratory distress in piglets and late-term pregnancy failures in sows. To track and control spread of this disease, the industry must be able determine which animals have been naturally infected with PRRSV as this contributes to major disease outbreaks and localized pandemics. While vaccines help control the spread of a disease, they also …

Water News, Spring 2021, Department Of Agriculture And Biosystems Engineering

SDWRI Water News

Contents:
North Central Region tackle harmful algal blooms
Algae pull nutrients from swine facility manure, air
Study examines woodchip quality in bioreactors
Nonprofit joins battle to mitigate Lake Mitchell algal blooms