Agriculture Commons^™

Organic Fertilizer Abrasive Grits Increase Soil Available Nitrogen, Plant Height, And Biomass, Michael Carlson, Frank Forcella, Sam Wortman, David Clay, Sharon A. Clay

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

In organic cropping systems, air‐propelled abrasive grits can be used to control in‐row weeds. If the applied abrasive grit is an approved organic fertilizer, these applications may serve a dual purpose of weed control and crop fertility. Laboratory soil incubations examined the N mineralization rates of several grit types with differing C/N ratios (Agra Grit [crushed walnut shells, 170:1], corncob grit [91:1], Sustane [composted turkey litter, 5.0:1], Phytaboost Plant Food [crushed and pelletized soybean meal, 5.0:1]). A greenhouse study determined plant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), kale (Brassica napus pabluaria DC), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) growth response …

Growing South Dakota (Summer 2020), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

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

[Page] 3 COVID-19: From Our Students' Perspective
[Page] 11 Class of 2020 Q&A
[Page] 19 Alumni Advice for the Future Generation
[Page] 21 Recent Alumni Features
[Page] 25 Student Features
[Page] 31 CAFES News, Student Success, Awards and Achievements
[Page] 57 Jackrabbits Now and Then: A Current Student and Alumni Q&A

Growing South Dakota (Spring/Summer 2020), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

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

This issue contains the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station 2019 Annual Report.

[Page] 2 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Update
[Page] 4 Featured Research
[Page] 14 Graduate and Undergraduate Research: In Our Own Words
[Page] 20 Featured Research
[Page] 32 Research in Progress
[Page] 38 CAFES News and Updates
[Page] 56 Jackrabbits Now and Then: A Current Student and Alumni Q&A

Teaching Natural And Artificial Selection In Production Agriculture, Madhav P. Nepal, Clayton W. Scott

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will learn how natural selection and artificial selection impact both production agriculture and biological sciences. A natural selection is a mechanism that favors heritable traits that increase species survival and reproduction. Artificial selection is a selective breeding, where humans select for desirable traits in agricultural products.

Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Annual Progress Report, 2020, Southeast South Dakota Research Farm

Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports

This is an annual report of the research program at the Southeast South Dakota Research Farm in cooperation with South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences and has special significance for those engaged in agriculture and the agriculturally related businesses in the ten county area of Southeast South Dakota. The results shown are not necessarily complete or conclusive. Interpretations given are tentative because additional data resulting from continuation of these experiments may result in conclusions different from those based on any one year.

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2020), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

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

This issue contains the SDSU Extension 2019 Annual Report

[Page] 2-3 South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
[Page] 4 SDSU Extension
[Page] 4 From the Director of Extension Karla Trautman
[Page] 5 2019 USDA Risk Management Agency Crop Indemnities
[Page] 6-8 SDSU Extension Responds to Mother Nature in 2019
[Page] 9 Successful Energize! Conference Buoys Community Efforts in Lemmon & Beyond
[Page] 10-11 Helping Loved Ones Transition Smoothly
[Page] 12 AmeriCorps VISTA Members Expand Extension Programming
[Page] 13 South Dakota Wellness Coalitions Make Big Impacts in Small Communities [Page] 14-16 Extension Programs in Our Own …

Optimization Of Conditions For Heat Pretreatment And Enzymatic Predigestion Of Ddgs For Pigs, Kevin Jerez-Bogota

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The high fiber content of corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) can limit its utilization in swine diets. Pretreatment with heat and enzymatic predigestion of whole stillage (WS; slurry material that is dried into DDGS) can alleviate negative effects of dietary fiber and can improve digestive and fermentation characteristics of the feedstuff. However, optimal time and temperature of the heat pretreatment of WS, and best enzymes for predigestion of WS have not been identified. Experiments were conducted to identify optimal conditions for heat pretreatment and multienzyme predigestion of WS for pigs. First experiment was conducted to identify optimal temperature …

Factors Influencing Adoption And Adoption Intensity Of Precision Agriculture Technologies In South Dakota, Md Mahi Uddin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Precision agriculture can play an important role in preserving the environment and improving the economic conditions of agricultural producers. This thesis analyzes the determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of precision agriculture technologies in South Dakota. This analysis uses survey data collected from 199 farms distributed over 28 different counties in South Dakota, accounting for approximately 500,000 acres of tillable agricultural land, to (1) discover the factors impacting precision technology adoption; (2) compare and contrast several characteristics among adopters and non-adopters; and (3) develop probit, count, and negative binomial models to determine the significance of explanatory variables impacting precision technology …

In-Season Crop Management Effect On Soybean Yield And Grain Quality In Eastern South Dakota, Kelsey Bergman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield has increased over time by introduction of newer varieties and improved agronomic practices. However, grain protein concentration has been decreasing at the same time. New field studies in 2018 and 2019 investigated inseason crop management practices effect such as use of foliar protection application, fertilizer application, different maturity length or different planting dates on grain yield and grain quality. The studies were established near Brookings, SD and Beresford, SD. In-season treatments were targeting nutrient availability or protecting soybean canopy during the grain filling period. Such treatments included the use of fungicide, insecticide, or supplying …

Burning With Potential: Understanding The Relationship Between Biochar And Agriculture Of The Northern Glaciated Plains Ecoregion, Kaitlyn Abrahamson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Achieving global sustainable agriculture is one of the most incredible challenges of this century, yet many continue to try to solve this problem through the development of precision technologies. Biotechnologies, such as biochar, can perform like a precision technology while protecting agricultural land from soil erosion and fertility loss. The Northern Glaciated Plains ecoregion of the United States is little researched in the benefits from the use of biochar through improved soil nutrient capture and water retention, crop health improvements, and yield increases. The study plot has four sections of corn stover biochar and eight sections of control sections. This …

Understanding South Dakota Farmers’ Intentions To And Adoption Of Conservation Practices: An Examination Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Edem Avemegah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conservation agriculture practice is a sustainable farming method based on three principle: crop diversification, minimal soil disturbance or movement and permanent or semi-permanent of soil cover. Government and stakeholders within the agricultural sector in the United States are promoting conservation farming practices but limited voluntary adoption still exists among producers at the farm level. This research study investigated the factors that influence the adoption of conservation practices among producers in the eastern and central parts of South Dakota (SD). A modified theory of planned behavior (TPB) is used as a framework alongside socioeconomic and demographic indicators to understand farmers’ current …

Biophysical And Socioeconomic Impacts Of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration In Burkina Faso, Basnewende Brice Fulgence Zoungrana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human actions such as overgrazing, the development of cities at the expense of forests, high intensity and poor agricultural management, and so forth, reduce the resources available for future generations. Because Earth has limited resources, it is important to judiciously use and manage natural resources. Human actions towards nature are the focus of my research in Africa. Increased demands for grazing, agriculture, and ecosystem services led some farmers in developing countries to use unsustainable practices, which may lead to low incomes and poor food nutrition for households. Farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) may be a solution to these issues. FMNR …

Understanding How Agricultural Intensification Impacts Ring-Necked Pheasant Distribution And Survival In Eastern South Dakota, Hilary R. Kauth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically, pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) have thrived in South Dakota in conjunction with successful land retirement programs or early farming practices through the 1950s, which created interspersions of agriculture and native landscapes that were ideal for pheasants. Recently, the Prairie Pothole ecosystem has undergone rapid agroeconomic expansion, effectively reducing ideal interspersions of native prairie and cropland into agriculturally homogeneous landscapes. Indices of pheasant abundance have suggested persistent population declines since 2008, raising concerns regarding landscape suitability. Our goal was to understand how agriculture intensification impacts pheasant ecology. The objectives were to: 1) estimate overwinter hen probability of survival, resource …

Internet Of Things Based Wireless Sensor Network And Advanced Machine Learning Models For Precision Agriculture, Ahmed El-Magrous

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies assumed that the world population would reach 10.3 billion by 2070. This will require more land for housing; simultaneously resulting in a loss of land for agricultural purposes. However, the new generations also need food, and the lack of new agrarian land is a critical reason that leads researchers and producers to improve daily agriculture practices by using precision agriculture concepts and technologies to increase yield and crop quality. This work represents the design, development, and testing of a customizable and cost-effective Weather-Soil Sensor Station (W-SSS) for use in Precision Agriculture based on high accuracy sensors, wireless communication, …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Experiential Learning In The 3-Circle Agricultural Education Model, Jon C. Schreurs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to describe teachers’ perceptions of experiential learning and its effects on student learning, understanding, and engagement through agriculture education's three-circle model. This paper explores teachers’ perceptions of the value and importance of experiential learning in agriculture education instruction, FFA, and supervised agricultural experience. Further, I explore experiential learning, constructivism, and hands-on learning as the foundational instructional practices used in agricultural education. Agricultural education teachers from southwest Minnesota were surveyed to determine how they are using experiential learning in their agriculture education programs, including classroom instruction, FFA, and supervised agricultural experiences.