In a groundbreaking development for the agricultural sector, South Dakota State University (SDSU) is proudly announcing the release of two new cultivars: a hulled oat named ‘SD Ranger’ and a hard red spring wheat known as ‘Enhance-SD’. This significant advancement is attributed to the collaborative efforts between the South Dakota State University Agricultural Experiment Station and the South Dakota State Foundation Seed Stock Division.
The South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, more than just a research body, stands as one of the state’s largest public and privately funded research organizations. With six field stations and a sprawling 17,000 acres of land dedicated to research, the station facilitates innovative agricultural advancements pivotal not just for South Dakota but also on a national and global scale.
South Dakota State University has grown significantly, boasting a fall 2024 enrollment of 12,065 students from 47 states and 77 countries. Notably, the incoming freshmen class holds an average high school GPA of 3.57, evidencing the university’s academic appeal.
At the heart of these agricultural breakthroughs is Professor Karl Glover, a key figure spearheading SDSU’s hard red spring wheat breeding program. Under his leadership, SDSU has developed varieties that now compose approximately 75% of all hard red spring wheat acres in South Dakota — a testament to the program’s impact.
The dedication to agricultural innovation at SDSU is further underscored by an $80 million USDA grant secured for the Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative. This initiative is directed towards developing climate-smart beef and bison commodities, reaffirming the university’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
‘SD Ranger‘ and ‘Enhance-SD‘ hold promise for enhanced yields and resistance to disease. The oat cultivar SD Ranger is robust, showing resistance to smut, moderate resistance to crown rust, and tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus. On the other hand, Enhance-SD promises high yield potential, along with moderate resistance to Fusarium head blight and Bacterial leaf streak.
The South Dakota State Foundation Seed Stock Division, established in 1944 and incorporated in 1945, continues its mission to enhance agricultural outputs by distributing superior seed varieties to certified seed growers. It partners with the Agricultural Experiment Station to enrich South Dakota’s agricultural landscape perpetually.
John Blanton, the associate dean for research for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, remarked, “These new cultivars are the result of years of dedicated research and innovation aimed at benefiting South Dakota’s agricultural community and beyond.”
SDSU’s collaboration and research extend beyond local initiatives. Through the SDSU Extension, the university emphasizes outreach in agriculture, family wellness, community development, and 4-H youth efforts throughout South Dakota.
In March 2024, SDSU invites the community to witness the remodeled Berg Agricultural Hall during an open house, an event underlining the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences’ dedication to nurturing future agricultural leaders.
SDSU’s strategic goals are clear: to achieve R1 research university status by 2031 with annual research expenditures exceeding $50 million. Indeed, the university’s progress in agriculture, coupled with its diverse educational offerings and top-notch research facilities, mark SDSU as a cornerstone of South Dakota’s commitment to agricultural innovation and education.
As SDSU forges ahead with these agricultural advancements, both the local community and the broader agricultural industry eagerly anticipate the positive impacts of SD Ranger and Enhance-SD across fields and economies.