RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension and SDSU’s Cottonwood Field Station are excited to introduce Coffee at Cottonwood, a new educational series about livestock and rangeland management.
Offered every other month, the series is designed to bring together livestock producers, land managers, industry professionals and researchers for practical conversations relevant to production in western South Dakota and the Great Plains.
“Coffee at Cottonwood is designed to create an informal setting where producers can ask questions, see research and technology in action, and exchange ideas with SDSU Extension specialists, researchers and fellow producers,” said Jamie Brennan, associate professor and SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist.
Each event starts at 9 a.m. MT and will last 2 to 3 hours, featuring a combination of presentations, discussion and hands-on demonstrations at the Cottonwood Field Station. Coffee and Wall doughnuts will be provided. Registration is not required for this free event.
The first session is on Nov. 6, 2026, and is about virtual fencing. Attendees will learn how virtual fence systems work, see the equipment in action and have an opportunity to put collars on live animals and use virtual fencing software.
Future planned sessions include:
- Jan. 22, 2027 – Digital record-keeping and electronic identification. Explore how digital record-keeping systems and radio-frequency identification tags can simplify livestock records and improve data collection. Participants will get hands-on experience with this technology and discuss practical ways to incorporate digital records into livestock operations.
- March 5, 2027 – The Other AI: Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture. This program will introduce practical applications of AI in livestock and rangeland management, including tools for analyzing data, supporting management decisions and improving efficiency. Participants will also have an opportunity to try AI tools themselves.
For more information, contact Jamie Brennan, associate professor and SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist.
Upcoming Events
Coffee at Cottonwood: Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
SDSU Extension and the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station will host Coffee at Cottonwood, focused on artificial intelligence in agriculture, on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station (23738 Fairview Road, Philip, SD 57567).
Coffee at Cottonwood: Digital Record Keeping & Electronic Identification
SDSU Extension and the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station will host Coffee at Cottonwood, focused on digital record keeping and electronic identification, on January 22 at 9:00 a.m. at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station (23738 Fairview Road, Philip, SD 57567).
Coffee at Cottonwood: Hands-On Virtual Fencing
SDSU Extension and the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station will host Coffee at Cottonwood, focused on virtual fencing technology, on November 6 at 9:00 a.m. at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station (23738 Fairview Road, Philip, SD 57567).
