By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension continues to play a leading role in precision livestock research and technology development. Much of this work takes place at the Cottonwood Field Station, a 2,640-acre research facility located in the grasslands of western South Dakota.
The station, which is part of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, recently completed major upgrades. New facilities include a dry lot of monoslope barn, precision feeding bunks, livestock handling equipment, and gathering spaces designed to support research and producer education.
SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist Hector Menendez said the goal is to help producers understand how new technologies perform under real-world conditions and whether they provide a strong return on investment. Researchers provide science-based information that helps producers make informed decisions before investing in new systems.
Precision agriculture uses technology to improve productivity and efficiency in livestock and crop operations. At Cottonwood, researchers evaluate technologies such as virtual fencing, GPS ear tags, calving cameras, drones, pasture-based weighing systems, water monitoring systems, and emission tracking tools.
Menendez said the station has gained attention from industry leaders, researchers, and businesses from around the world. The facility has become recognized for its work in precision ranching and continues operating at full capacity.
One of the most discussed technologies is virtual fencing. The GPS-based system uses collars to guide livestock without traditional fences. Researchers find that virtual fencing can improve grazing efficiency while reducing labor and fence maintenance costs.
“Virtual fencing is transformative across the world right now,” Menendez said. “It’s the most evolutionary precision livestock technology, hands-down.”
Research conducted by SDSU shows that virtual fencing does not negatively affect animal welfare, cattle performance, or meat quality. Researchers also combine virtual fencing with satellite monitoring, forage tracking, and other technologies to create a complete ranch management system.
SDSU Extension Precision Livestock Field Specialist Logan Vandermark said these tools provide valuable data that helps producers better understand animal behavior and grazing efficiency.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: South Dakota, Equipment & Machinery, Livestock