News at SDState

The South Dakota Sheep Growers Association is partnering with the South Dakota State University Department of Animal Science and Jackrabbits Athletics to host the 34th annual Lamb Bonanza on Saturday, Jan. 31, at First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings. The event coincides with the men’s basketball game against Oral Roberts at 2 p.m. CST.

More than half of South Dakota’s landscape, around 24 million acres, is covered with the most abundant ecosystem in the world, rangeland. More than pretty scenery, the complex and varied environment is home to relationships among plants, animals and soil that were formed over millennia to mutually thrive and now play a crucial part in the South Dakota way of life.

Since the 1940s, the range degree program at South Dakota State University has been preparing students for critical roles in conservation and the agriculture industry. Today, the range specialization builds on that tradition to serve students with unique opportunities as one of only 14 accredited programs in the country.

During their first seminar, the 22 members of the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Class XIII cohort visited the South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences last week to learn about the wide-reaching impact of the college, and the university, on agriculture in the state of South Dakota.

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections has some brand-new additions to its collection: More than 70 South Dakota brand books and other items from the history of branding in the state.

Four South Dakota State University students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences have been awarded national bison industry scholarships from the Throlson American Bison Foundation and the Rich Zahringer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Subash Thapa, a doctoral student in the South Dakota State University Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science, has distinguished himself with several recent recognitions for his research and academic achievements.

A century of education, service and research was celebrated by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University at a gala at Club 71 in the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Nov. 6, 2025. The event drew 150 alumni, current faculty, staff and students, friends of the college and former department heads Darrel DeBoer, a three-time acting head, and Van Kelley (2000-22).

The South Dakota State University Collegiate Crop Judging Team brought home numerous high scores at recent regional and national collegiate competitions.

Alysha Kientopf, who received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education from South Dakota State University, has received the Region III Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators.