SDSU awarded $1 million precision ranching research grant

South Dakota State University researchers from the Departments of Animal Science and Natural Resource Management have been awarded $1 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund a precision ranching research project.

Only eight of the grants were awarded this year.

SDSU’s grant is designed to provide new insight into the feasibility of emerging precision ranching technologies.

The 5-year project focuses on virtual fencing to enhance cattle grazing on extensive rangelands.

The technology requires a three-way interaction between a base station, software and virtual fence collars worn around the necks of cattle. It eliminates the manual labor required with traditional fencing systems.

Information gathered from the project will be shared with South Dakota ranchers prior to the project’s completion in 2026.

May 3, 2022