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A slatted floor with an open area. A hose is running into the open area.

New Technology for an Old Problem

One of the last projects I was involved with as coordinator for the Lower James River Watershed Project was the installation of a deep pit monoslope barn for a feedlot operation near Alexandria, SD. A deep pit confinement barn is a manure storage system that employs slatted flooring with pit manure storage underneath.

A herd of cattle grazing near a pond on an open range.

Nitrates and Livestock Water Quality

Nitrate poisoning is something we think about with forages such as millet, oats, corn, sorghum, sudan, kochia and others that have been fertilized or if there is a drought, but water can also be a contributing factor.

A stock pond with noticable blue-green algae bloom throughout.

Blue-Green Algae and Livestock

With warmer temperatures, the conditions are right for blue-green algae blooms. Different species of blue-green algae contain various toxins, which can poison livestock, resulting in rapid death.

A wheat field at sunset.

Water Use by Plant Stage

Over the growing season, solar radiation, air temperature and plant size are the dominant factors in determining evaporative demand and the rate of water use by wheat. Water use can vary dramatically on a day-to day basis, depending on climate and wheat health.

Two young males participating in the robotics challenge at the South Dakota State Fair

South Dakota 4-H Robotics & Engineering 2019 Challenge Packet - Recycle Challenge

The South Dakota 4-H Robotics Challenge is an opportunity for youth who have been learning about robotics to demonstrate their learning, celebrate their accomplishments, and interact with others who share an interest in robotics.

A young man sitting at a laptop discussing a project with a 4-H leader.

Youth Research: Where to Begin

Whether working on a science fair project, writing a class report, or just looking for general information on a topic it is a good idea to become familiar with the basic practices of conducting research.

Poster display for research project.

Presenting Scientific Information: Display Boards

For youth participating in scientific discovery, posters and display boards are a very common form of communicating scientific information.

A notebook with a pen sitting on it.

Importance of Good Record Keeping: The Science & Engineering Notebook

Scientists and engineers use special notebooks or journals to make daily logs of what they are doing and what they have learned.

young cowgirl running a horse through the pole bending pattern

State 4-H Rodeo Resources

View the documents and forms to participate in the State 4-H Rodeo.

rainbow over green pasture with a red barn

South Dakota 4-H Robotics - Getting Started

In South Dakota 4-H Robotics is about much more than the competition. It is about the development of youth through experiential learning. During the program youth are introduced to a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts, but also develop a variety of life skills including, but not limited to: problem solving, communication, and teamwork.