Digital Commons Network^™

Primary Avian Tracheal Cell Models For The Isolation Of Emerging Avian Metapneumovirus Strains, Tricia Serrao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The emergence of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subgroups A and B in the United States poultry industry has created an urgent need for standardized, host-specific diagnostic platforms. Historically, reliance on continuous, multi-species cell lines has limited the primary isolation of field strains and introduced potential adaptation artifacts. To address these challenges, this research first established and characterized a reproducible primary cell culture system derived from the tracheal tissues of 1-day-old turkey poults. This system was maintained in an optimized DMEM/F-12 formulation supplemented with 5% FBS, EGF, and ITS, with early-passage cultures achieving 90% confluence within 24 to 48 hours. Morphological and …

Impact Of Water Level Fluctuations On Fish Populations In Eastern South Dakota Rivers, Benjamin Schall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Riverine systems are highly dynamic, and changes in flow conditions can impact the population dynamics of fishes. Increased flows from historical averages in eastern South Dakota rivers have likely impacted fish populations. The goals of this study were to 1) better understand the changes in resource use by Blue Suckers Cycleptus elongatus through retrospective eye lens stable isotope analysis, 2) determine the effects of record flooding in the James River on complex woody habitat and Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris population structure, and 3) assess the influence of river discharge and temperature on Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and Flathead Catfish condition …

Evaluating The Potential Of Genomic Selection For Grain Yield And Yield Component Traits In South Dakota Winter Wheat, Dante Koupal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal crop worldwide, but recent gains in grain yield (GY) have not kept pace with projected demand. GY is a highly quantitative trait with low heritability that requires multi-year, multi-location phenotyping, limiting selection efficiency. Targeting higher heritability yield component traits, such as kernel size and weight, and incorporating them into the genomic selection (GS) pipeline has the potential to accelerate genetic gain for GY. The objectives of this study were to (i) understand the relationship between GY and the kernel-size traits, including thousand kernel weight (TKW), kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), and …

Butting Heads With Respiratory Disease: Post-Epizootic Demography And Movement-Driven Spillover Risk In A Badland’S Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis) Meta-Population, Sean P. Ryder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is among the most significant threats to bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) conservation in North America. In July 2021, contact between bighorn sheep rams and domestic sheep north of Badlands National Park (BADL), South Dakota, USA introduced M. ovipneumoniae into the Badlands bighorn sheep meta-population, triggering an epizootic that reduced the population by approximately 80%. I evaluated the post-outbreak status of this population through two complementary studies conducted from 2023 to 2025. In Chapter 1, I quantified disease prevalence, adult survival, lamb recruitment, and population growth rate (λ) using serial quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) …

Investigation Of Perennial Clover Living Mulch And Reduced Tillage Effects On Weed Suppression, Crop Metrics, And Yield Of Organic Cabbage And Sweet Corn In The Northern Great Plains, Kristina Harms

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vegetable farmers often face weed management and soil health challenges, such as nitrate leaching, soil compaction, and top-soil loss. Sustainable agriculture is a forefront of innovation compared to conventional agriculture. Living mulches, non-cash crops grown alongside cash crops, have demonstrated weed suppression and impact on the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Yet studies have not evaluated established living mulch systems on cash crop quality and yield. This study conducted in 2023, 2024, and 2025 at SDSU Southeast Research Farm, Beresford, SD, USA evaluates the impact of established ‘Dynamite’ red clover (Trifolium pratense), ‘Domino’ white clover (T. repens), and ‘Aberlasting’ white × …

Production, Characterization, And Diagnostic Application Of Monoclonal Antibodies Against The N-Protein Of Avian Metapneumovirus Subgroup B, Ravi Gupta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is a respiratory pathogen that causes Turkey Rhinotracheitis (TRT) in turkeys and Swollen Head Syndrome (SHS) in chickens. The infection leads to facial swelling, nasal discharge, reduced egg production, and poor growth. This virus is classified into four subgroups: aMPV-A, B, C, and D, with two other novel subgroups, in which aMPV-A, B, and C are most prevalent in the commercial flocks. In early 2024, aMPV-A and B outbreaks have been reported in the US, resulting in severe economic losses. An economic assessment estimates around $112 million in losses in Minnesota and up to $434 million in …

Evaluating Supplementation Strategies Using Precision Livestock Technologies And Energy Based Models In Developing Beef Heifers Grazing Dormant Rangeland, Kali-Jo Bentz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Replacement beef heifer development in extensive grazing systems is challenged by variation in forage quality, supplement intake, and animal behavior, all of which influence the ability to achieve targeted growth prior to breeding. Precision livestock technologies (PLT) enable continuous monitoring of individual animal performance, while energy-based nutritional models support individualized supplementation. However, their application under extensive grazing conditions remains poorly understood. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis were to (1) evaluate heifer utilization of multiple precision livestock technologies and their relationship with animal performance and (2) evaluate the accuracy of an individualized energy-based supplementation model by comparing predicted supplement allotments …

Demographic Impact And Diagnostic Evaluation Of Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae In Bighorn Sheep Of The Pine Ridge Badlands, Jeffrey Tillery

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi) decimates bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations through acute die-offs followed by years or decades of failed lamb recruitment. Test-and-remove management has emerged as the primary intervention to restore population growth, and this thesis quantifies the demographic costs of endemic M. ovi infection and evaluates the diagnostic tools upon which this strategy depends. I quantified vital rates across five bighorn sheep subherds (four infected, one uninfected) on the Pine Ridge Reservation (2023–2025), supplemented by pre-outbreak data (2017–2018) from the North Unit of Badlands National Park. Infected subherds declined (λ = 0.965, 95% CrI: 0.813–1.039) while the uninfected …

Plant-Insect Interactions In Great Plains Restoration And Invasion Ecology, Joseph H. Cammarano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prairie ecosystem loss and invasive plant species are major ecological problems in the Great Plains. Plant-insect interactions have important consequences for both the restoration of prairie ecosystems and management of invasive plant species. Pollinating insects are vital to the sustainability of prairie ecosystems, and herbivorous insects can provide biological control of invasive plant species. Understanding how restoration strategies may influence potential pollinator communities can have important consequences for restoration sustainability and success and understanding how biological control strategies may help manage invasive plant populations can also help land managers reach restoration and conservation goals. In Ch. 2, I sought to …

The Influence Of Controlled Intake And Anabolic Implant Timing On Growth Performance And Carcass Traits In Feedlot Ruminants, Justin J. Delver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate how previous plane of nutrition and anabolic implant timing interact to influence growth performance, composition of growth, and the carcass characteristics in ruminants. Three experiments were conducted using cattle and sheep models to determine the metabolic adaptations driving compensatory growth. In experiment 1, yearling beef steers (n = 192) were fed ad libitum for 141 days (ADLIB) or restricted to 92% of ad libitum intake for 56 (RES56) or 86 (RES86) days followed by realimentation. Cumulative dry matter intake (DMI) was reduced in both restricted groups (P = 0.002) with no difference …

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, December 16, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, December 9, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, December 2, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Inflammatory And Metabolic Markers In Postpartum Dairy Cows Developing Chronic Reproductive Tract Disease: A Case-Control Study, T.C. Bruinjé, O. Bogado Pascottini, S.J. Leblanc

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

We investigated associations of early postpartum sys- temic inflammatory and metabolic markers with different manifestations of chronic reproductive tract inflamma- tory disease (RTID) in Holstein cows. A retrospective case-control study was conducted using data from 1,509 cows in 2 commercial dairy herds in Ontario, Canada. Herds were visited twice weekly, and cows were sampled at 2 and 6 ± 2 DIM to measure serum haptoglobin (Hp), total Ca, and nonesterified fatty acids; at 5, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM for blood BHB; and at 21 and 35 ± 3 DIM for serum Hp. Cows with a calving-related or …

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, November 19, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, November 12, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, November 5, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Enhancing The Biopreservative Effect Of Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria Using Soluble Fiber During Cheese Ripening, Rakesh Kaushik, Sanjeev Anand

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Cheddar cheese ripening creates favorable conditions for desired microbial changes but also allows survival and outgrowth of spores like Clostridium tyrobutyricum and Bacillus licheniformis, leading to late-blowing defects. In the first phase of the study, NSLAB dynamics were evaluated in the presence of spores, where pilot-scale cheeses (110 L) were produced in four treatments: control, T1 (BL), T2 (CT), and T3 (BL+CT), each inoculated at 2.0 Log10 CFU/mL with spores. Results showed that SLAB declined from 8.0 to 0.2 Log10 CFU/g, while NSLAB increased from 2.0 to 8.5 Log10 CFU/g by the third month and remained stable thereafter. Spore counts …

Natural Resource Managment Department Roundup, November 2025, Department Of Natural Resource Management

NRM Newsletter

Department Head's Message
Upcoming Events
Faculty & Staff News
NRM Highlights
Department Activities
Extension & Outreach Activities

3d Printed Microscopes As A Low-Cost Alternative To Conventional Light Microscopes, Aidan W. Donelan, Hunter N. Lemer, Sudeshna Roy, Nicholas C. Butzin

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Many K-12 schools function on limited budgets in their science departments, making it difficult to acquire, maintain, and update microscopes. While modern light microscopes are often complex, expensive, and require specialized training, they are based on simple principles of light. Microscopes enable us to observe objects too small for the naked eye and reveal intricate details. Introducing affordable, easy-to-use microscope adaptations early in education helps foster a deeper understanding of science and encourages young students to pursue STEM fields. Using 3D printing, we developed two innovative microscope models and two lesson plans. Lesson 1: Using a smartphone microscope to visualize …

Dairy And Food Science News, Nov 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy & Food Science News

Message from the Department Head
Holiday Cheese Boxes
We are Hiring
Dairy and Food Science Department in the Media
Education abroad program to India - Food and Agriculture Processing: India SDSU Fall 2026
Faculty Updates
Surveys and Studies
Recruitment Updates and Opportunities
SDSU Company Student Recruitment
Student Updates
Alumni Spotlight
Events and Calendar

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, October 28, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, October 21, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, October 8, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, October 2, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Phosphate Removal And Recovery From Aqueous Solutions Using Iron-Coated Steel Slag, Siavash Ebrahimzadeh, Guanghui Hua, Christopher Schmit

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty and Student Publications

Phosphate pollution from human activities significantly contributes to the eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, phosphorus is a finite, irreplaceable resource, making its management and recovery critical. This study explores the use of iron-coated steel slag (ICS) as a cost-effective material for phosphate removal and recovery from water. Ferric chloride was used to coat electric arc furnace slag via oven drying under various conditions. Batch adsorption tests evaluated phosphate adsorption, and the optimum coating conditions were identified as 0.5–1 mm slag, 0.5 M FeCl₃, and coating pH 1. The effect of solution pH and coexisting ions on phosphate removal were also …

Impulse, Fall 2025, Jill Fier, Sierra Brown, Jerome J. Lohr College Of Engineering

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

2 | Faculty News
3 | SDSU Vet Hua to Head Civil Engineering
6 | Ad Lunam — To the Moon
10 | Building A Safety Culture
11 | Department News
12 | Surface Mount Technology Kickoff
14 | Construction Management Student, Volleyball Player Building Success Piece by Piece
16 | Student Awards, Honors
18 | Student Competition Results
20 | NASA Win Opens Doors for New Product Development Order
22 | SDSU Engineering Student Tabbed as Noblereach Fellow
26 | Knabach Award Recipient from Apprentice Lineman to Company President
28 | Metzger Create Faculty Endowment for SDSU Engineering
30 …

Growing South Dakota (Fall 2025), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

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

[Page] 2 Mesonet at SDState: A benefit to every South Dakotan
[Page] 6 Governor’s Ag Ambassador — Glenn Muller
[Page] 8 Precision agriculture cooperative agreement signed with University of Debrecen
[Page] 10 Students experience international agriculture, culture in Vietnam, New Zealand
[Page] 12 Legen-dairy! SDSU students claim national judging awards
[Page] 13 SDSU Rodeo Team continues storied rodeo tradition at nationals
[Page] 14 SDSU wheat breeders helping feed the world
[Page] 20 SDSU drone holds promise for soil, leaf sampling
[Page] 22 Don't be a fish out of water
[Page] 24 A passion for academic advising
[Page] 25 One takeaway …

Friends Of The Hilton M. Briggs Library, Fall 2025, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Friends of the Hilton M. Briggs Library Newsletters

Volume 11, Issue 1.

Features:
A brand-new collection: SD Livestock brand books span 130 years
Elizabeth Fox Named South Dakota Librarian of the Year
Notes from the Dean of the Library
Student Assistant Excellence Award Recipients
Archives launches Adopt a Collection program
Briggs Library Wish List
Lisa Lindell honored for outstanding scholarship
Grants benefit Archives collection and promote affordable learning

College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, Fall 2025, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

P.1 Dean's Message from Dr. Sen Subramanian
P.2 Student Spotlights
P.3 One Day for STATE
P.4 Fun Filming with Jack
P.5 Germanium Studies
P.6 Research Expenditures
P.8 Increased Enrollment
P.9 Faculty Recognition
P.11 Scoops & Smiles