Agricultural Economics Commons^™

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.

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2021), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

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

This issue contains the 2020 SDSU Extension Annual Report and 2020 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report.

[Page] 3 COVID-19 Impacts
[Page] 9 Precision Agriculture: What's New
[Page] 13 Featured Research
[Page] 19 SDSU Extension 2020 Annual Report
[Page] 45 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station 2020 Annual Report
[Page] 55 CAFES News and Updates
[Page] 67 Alumni News
[Page] 75 Alumni Gone Down in History
[Page] 81 Jackrabbits Now and Then: A Current Student and Alumni Q&A

South Dakota Farmers’ Views On Environment & Community, Tong Wang, Jim Ristau

South Dakota Farm Survey

Researchers at South Dakota State University (SDSU) conducted producer surveys in the eastern part of South Dakota in both 2018 and 2021. Producers could take the survey online or via mail and were asked questions about their farm, farming practices including usage of soil and water conservation practices, and their values.

Exploring The Determinants Of Aspects Of Rotational Grazing In The U.S. Great Plains, Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pasture and rangeland make up about 45 percent of the agricultural land in the U.S. Great Plains and one of the most common form of mismanagement of this pasture is overgrazing. Which results in many detrimental effects on environment. Many practitioners endorsed Rotational grazing (RG) as an improved grazing management practice over season-long continuous grazing. The overall goal of the current study is to assess the certain aspects of using RG in the U.S. Great Plains. Using mail survey data of the of 874 beef cattle producers of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, the study found that neighborhood practice, …

Genetically Modified Corn Diffusion And Biofuel Usage: Impacts On Corn Belt Cropping Systems Changes, Kenneth Annan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops, the rise of ethanol production that produced an additional derived demand for corn, and the increasingly prominent position of corn and soybeans in crop rotations embody major changes in U.S. agriculture during the past decades. This study investigates the linkages among these developments in two ways. First, we look at how biotechnology and biofuels have influenced cropping system changes in the Corn Belt region of the United States, using state-level data from 2000 to 2019. Second, we investigate the determinants of corn acreage intensification levels and heterogeneity at the state level using data …

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

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 …

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 …

Growing South Dakota (Summer 2019), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

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

[Page] 3 Celebration of Faculty Excellence
[Page] 6 Ag and Biosystems Engineering - Quarter Scale Tractor Team Named Reserve National Champs - Jackrabbit Wrestler Passionate About Sharing the Story of Pork - Mesonet Spray Tool Aids Precision Application Decisions
[Page] 10 Ag Business and Economics -POET Commodity Trading Fund
[Page] 12 Ag Education, Communication and Leadership - Leadership Opportunities Launch Recent Graduate to Career Readiness
[Page] 14 Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science - Local Foods Education Center Donates Over 5,000 Pumpkins - Seeding Success - Doug Malo Retires After 43 Years of Teaching - Howard Woodard's 29-Year Career Had a …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2019), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

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

This is issue contains the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station 2018 Annual Report, and the SDSU Extension 2018 Annual Report.

[Page] 2 Setting Into role as Dean
[Page] 4 Raven Precision Ag Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
[Page] 10 Collaborating for Research-Based Solutions
[Page] 12 From the SDSU Extension Director
[Page] 14 Empowering South Dakotans Through Training and Certifications
[Page] 18 Mental Health and Opioid Education
[Page] 21 Science of Agriculture
[Page] 23 Community Gardens Bring Hope to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
[Page] 26 Energize! Conference
[Page} 28 Disaster Preparedness Training
[Page] 30 Bush Foundation Change Network
[Page] 32 SDSU to Participate …

2018 South Dakota Commodity Crop Producer Survey Results, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad, Abdelrahim Abulbasher, Department Of Sociology And Rural Studies, Ness School Of Management And Economics

South Dakota Farm Survey

From January to March 2018, we surveyed South Dakota commodity crop producers about their land management practices and attitudes. Farming operations in 34 South Dakota counties east of the Missouri River, where most of corn and soybean farming activities in the state are located, were targeted to take the questionnaire (see map below). We obtained a list of 10,000 farming operations that had participated in Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs in 2016 from the FSA and selected 3,000 operations to participate using proportionate stratified-random sampling according to number of farming operations in the study counties. The questionnaire directed the person …

Adoption Of Conservation Practices And Precision Technologies In South Dakota: An Empirical Analysis, Allen P. Deutz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Advances in conservation agriculture and precision agriculture technology practices have contributed to the adoption of conservation practices that reduce externalities from agricultural production, but this conversion was usually coupled with economic incentive, whether from increases in fertility and yield, or payments for on farm retirement or restoration practices. This study expands on this theme, evaluating the connection between conservation and the increased use of various precision agriculture technologies. The study uses survey data collected from South Dakota farmers and ranchers, with responses from 28 counties and over 500,000 acres of crop, pasture, and range land to address the following three …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2018), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

[Page] 2 Learn About Our Leaders
[Page] 4 Academic Programs at a Glace
[Page] 6 New Precision Ag Major Takes Off
[Page] 9 Raven Gives $5 Million Gift
[Page] 10 New Plant Science Research Facility
[Page] 13 Technical Training to Four-Year Degree
[Page] 15 Ag-Bio Career Fair Hits Record
[Page] 16 Breaking Ground : SD ADRDL
[Page] 19 Distinguished Professor Eric Nelson
[Page] 20 SDSU’s Veterinary Students
[Page] 24 Conservation Planning and Park Management
[Page] 25 Natural Resource Law Enforcement
[Page] 26 Medical Stethoscope Ceremony
[Page] 29 Master’s Degree in Human Biology
[Page] 30 Scott Pedersen Prepares Students
[Page] 32 …

Small- And Medium-Sized Feedlots: Management And Marketing Survey Results, Matthew A. Diersen, Scott W. Fausti

Economics Research Reports (1969 - 2017)

Increasing sector specialization has led to a decline in the number of smaller feedlots in the U.S. However, some operations continue to finish or background cattle as part of diversified operations. After a set of focus group sessions a survey was conducted of feedlots in South Dakota to determine the competitive tradeoffs among size of operation and production and risk management practices. The mail survey was designed in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS). NASS designed a stratified random sampling methodology for survey instrument dissemination. A bi-variate sampling stratification procedure was used; South Dakota feedlots with less than …

Growing South Dakota (Summer 2017), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

This issue contains the 2016 SDSU Extension Annual Report.

Page] 2 From the Director
[Page] 3 WaterTouches Everything, Multi-State Network Strives to Enhance Water Stewardship
[Page] 6 From RubbleTo Renewal, Unique Art Project Helps Delmont Community Heal
[Page] 7 Future Focused, Community Development Program Helps Harness Ideas Into Action
[Page] 8 Health Help, Statewide Program Strives To Help Individuals Better Manage Chronic Health Condition
[Page] 10 Making An Impact, Master Gardener Program Helps Individuals & Communities Flourish
[Page] 12 Statewide Highlights & Happenings
[Page] 14 Outreach to Youth, Programs Foster Engagement With Diverse Youth Audiences
[Page] 17 A Look At …

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2017), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

This issue contains the 2016 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report.

[Page] 3 Opportunities With Oats SDSU Researchers Strive to Improve Varieties [Page] 6 Stopping Stem Canker Plant Pathologists Making Progress To Keep This Disease At Bay
[Page] 7 Disease Detectives Vet Scientists Researching Another Emerging Virus [Page] 8 Community Support Devastating West River Fire Brings Ag Industry Together
[Page] 10 Research In Progress Dakota Lakes Research Farm Investigates Three Big Ideas
[Page] 14 Water Quality Quest Understanding E. Coli Behavior Aims To Aid Water Quality In Rivers & Streams
[Page] 15 Verifying Ag Land Valuation Researchers Assist In …

Performance Of The Producer Accumulator In Corn And Soybean Commodity Markets, Chad Te Slaa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research quantifies risk reduction and performance of the producer accumulator contract in corn and soybean markets. To quantify performance, we use three alternative theoretical pricing models to estimate historical producer accumulator contract specifications in corn and soybean markets. We then compare the performance of the producer accumulator to eight alternative agricultural marketing strategy portfolios that are also used in new generation grain contracts. The performance measures we compare are: average bushel price that would be received by the producer, daily portfolio risk, and the Sharpe ratio. The period we examine performance was between 2008 and 2017. We investigate performance …

Encouraging Organic Agriculture: The Effects Of Conversion Subsidies, Sarah Adams Inkoom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the importance of conversional subsidies in accounting for an increase in organic acreage in the 12 North-Central States in the United States. Monthly time series data that spans from January 2002 to December 2014 was used in the analysis. Empirical evidence suggests that increase in organic acreage is due in part to the availability of conversion subsidies. Without government assistance, most small-scale farmers are not sufficiently motivated to switch to organic production due to the high initial costs involved in transitioning. Further, increased institutional support could facilitate organic adoption and its absence is detrimental to increasing the …

Factors Affecting Feedlots' Decisions On Cattle Marketing Options: A National Study, Charlotte Owusu-Smart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the economic implication of changing slaughter volume patterns across the cash and contract markets in the US cattle industry. Weekly time series data that spans from November 2002 to December 2015 was used in the analysis. Empirical evidence suggests that Mandatory Price Reporting (MPR) played an important role in changing slaughter volumes across the cash and contract markets. Additionally, price of feeder cattle, cattle quality characteristics (Choice-Select spread and the percentage of animals grading choice or better) among others influence feedlots’ decision to use a particular marketing arrangement.

Heterogeneous Nitrogen Losses: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of Changes In Management Across South Dakota, Archibold Quaye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The loss of nitrogen fertilizer into the atmosphere and waterways is of increasing concern for citizens and policy makers. This is particularly relevant for hypoxia in rivers, lakes, and oceans, but also relevant for policy makers in reducing the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. GHGs trap heat in the atmosphere and include: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. Overall, the estimated contribution from the agricultural sector to GHG emissions was 9% in 2013 (EPA, 2013). Further, the addition of nitrogen to the soil through the use of synthetic fertilizers is a main contributor to …

Growing South Dakota (Summer 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

[Page] 2 Breaking New Ground SDSU Leads Nation With Precision Agriculture Initiative
[Page] 6 In The Driver's Seat Utility Vehicles Provide Students Hands-On Precision Ag Experience
[Page] 7 Introduction To Industry Travel To National Events Opens Opportunities For Students
[Page] 9 On The Ground SDSU Extension Specialists Have Vital Role In Bringing Data To Producers
[Page] 10 Curricula Collaboration SDSU Leaders Among Team Preparing Future Precision Ag Coursework
[Page] 12 Future Focus Ag 2020 Plan Prompts Important Reinvestments In State's Ag Experiment Station
[Page] 13 The Power Of Connections Connected Approach Helps Solve "Real-Life" Problems To Benefit Animal And …

Complex Effects Of Value-Added Livestock Ventures, Matthew A. Diersen

Economics Commentator (1972- 2016)

Value-added agriculture ventures are generally touted as being positive for a region’s economy. A product formerly shipped elsewhere may now be processed or modified locally or regionally, providing additional employment and related economic activity. Ethanol production, for example, disrupts the pattern of sending corn out of a region, but usually occurs where corn production is already prevalent. Consider, instead, the implications of a new livestock production facility. In this article, observations are made at the state and county levels related to livestock ventures. Kingsbury County is examined for potential effects on the production agriculture (or farming) sector. A livestock venture …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

This issue includes the 2015 SDSU Extension Annual Report.

[Page] 2 Contours Program Launched: Aims to Provide Insights & Prompt Discussions
[Page] 4 Local Momentum: Formation of State's First “Food Hub” Comes To Fruition [Page] 6 Spotlight On Soil Health: New Coalition Formed
[Page] 8 Exploring A Range Of Options: Youth Programs Cultivate Interest In Natural Resource Careers
[Page] 9 Profiles In Leadership: Our Mission Continues… Ensuring All Citizens Have Access To Education & Emerging Innovation
[Page] 10 Encouraging Animal Well-Being Workshops & Trainings Help Livestock Producers Become Better Stewards
[Page] 12 Wellness Wisdom: Variety Of Efforts Available To Encourage …

Temporal And Spatial Influences On South Dakota Farm Economies Of Size, Henry Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Census of Agriculture data are evaluated to test for economies of size of South Dakota farms. Economies of size occur when per-unit costs decrease as the size of a firm increases. This research measures technical economies of size, which assume that all firms pay identical input prices and receive identical output prices. The dependent variable of the model is expenses per dollar of sales. This is a typical measure of efficiency in agricultural statistics. The data come from the four prior Census of Agriculture years, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. A state-wide model and a county-wide model were developed to …

Relationship Of Grain Stocks And Farmer Marketings, Tyler Holmquist

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the relationship between quarterly grain stocks and monthly grain marketings. Reviewing when, how, and why stocks move from on-farm and off-farm inventories, an interpretation of quarterly commodity disappearance and crop marketings is formed. An explanatory model is first developed for farmer marketings, where price expectations are used to assess market signals to change ownership of crops. The model is applied to South Dakota corn, soybeans, and wheat from 1985 through 2015. The subsequent analysis contributes to a model that explains quarterly changes in stocks in terms of supply levels and the expected effect from marketings on disappearance. …

An Analysis Of The Demand For Rail Transportation Of Corn, Soybeans, And Wheat In South Dakota, Melinda Sommer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The cropping patterns, grain marketing flows, and transportation needs have changed in South Dakota as increased ethanol production has led to a significant increase in corn production and the production of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as a co-product. Previous studies have not focused specifically on the grain and oilseed transportation needs in South Dakota over an extended period of time that covers the influence of ethanol production. Quarterly rail data from the Surface Transportation Board Public Use Waybill Sample for 1991 to 2013 were used in a regression analysis of the demand for rail transportation of corn, soybeans, …

Attitude Comparison Among South Dakota Family Members Regarding Estate Planning And Farm Transitions, Heather Gessner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Estate planning and intergenerational farm transitions are the focus of research and extension programs across the nation due to the potential tax consequences faced by farm operations, retirement funding options available and utilized by farmers, changes in asset transition tools available, and communication (or lack of communication) issues related to bringing an heir back to the family operation.
Past plans for research projects and extension programming developed across the nation and in South Dakota (SD), were created with many assumptions regarding the attitudes of farm family members towards the transition of ownership of the operational assets and personal assets of …

Investigating Grassland And Cropland Conversion Decisions In The Dakotas, 2015 Producers Survey And Analysis, Md Niaz Murshed Chowdhury

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates grassland and cropland conversion decisions in the Dakotas. Data from a 2015 survey completed by 1,026 producers located in 57 counties of the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) were used to evaluate land conversions. This thesis attempts to identify the land use conversion incidence and rate (grass to crop and crop to grass); the link between past and projected land use conversion decisions in the Dakotas, and determinants of land use conversion using different statistical tools, including logistic regression methods. A regional analysis of converted acres reveals that the grass to crop conversion rates (as percent of 2014 …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2016), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

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

This issue includes the 2015 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report.

[Page] 2 Director's Message
[Page] 3 Concentrating On Cattle: Researcher Studying Mechanics To Improve Reproduction Efficiency In Beef Cattle
[Page] 5 At The Forefront: SDSU Diagnostic Lab Scientists Sequence Avian Influenza Genome
[Page] 6 Seeking Superior Wheat: Breeder Using Extensive Genome Testing To Improve Winter Wheat Cultivars
[Page] 8 Profiles In Leadership: Plant And Fungi Interactions May Offer New Plant Production Possibilities
[Page] 9 Targeting Emerging Diseases: Plant Pathologists Working To Better Manage Soybean & Sunflower Diseases
[Page] 10 Compelling New Crop: Carinata Offers Potential For Crop Diversity, …