The SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences invites all to its 2026 field days. Seven field days will be held throughout the state sharing research updates and information from college experts.
BROOKINGS, S.D. — Integrated livestock systems, variety trial results and breeding program updates are just some of the topics that will be covered during the 2026 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station field days presented by the South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Events will be happening at locations across the state from June to mid-September, with each one focusing on local topics of interest.
“Our goal for each Agricultural Experiment Station field day is to create a meaningful opportunity for producers and citizens to learn about new technologies, explore the value of emerging management practices, compare different production and input strategies and ask questions directly related to production agriculture,” said John Blanton, director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. “Just as importantly, field days give our scientists and staff the opportunity to hear from producers and communities across South Dakota, because the experiment station works for the people of this state, and their challenges must guide the research projects and programs we develop in the years ahead.”
Each field day will feature guided tours showcasing the work being conducted at the research field station, and the information will be presented by university and SDSU Extension researchers and staff. All field days are free to attend; however, registration is highly recommended to get accurate counts for food and resource materials. Registration for all the field days can be found at Field Day Registration – SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
Cottonwood Field Station Field Day
23738 Fairview Road, Philip (19 miles east of Wall on U.S. Highway 14)
June 12, 9 a.m.-noon
Come see the newly completed updates to the Cottonwood Field Station’s research facilities and hear about ongoing cattle and range research, drought monitoring and management tools and expanding the potential of virtual fencing technology. As the morning sessions wrap up, all attendees will receive SDSU ice cream.
Dakota Lakes Research Farm Field Day
21310 308th Ave., Pierre (17 miles east of Pierre on state Highway 34)
June 26, 3 p.m.-dark
Hear from SDSU experts about research taking place at the research farm involving integrated livestock systems, innovative grazing technologies and a variety of no-till cropping systems. Updates will also be given on the SDSU wheat and oat breeding programs. Dinner and SDSU ice cream will be provided for all attendees. Continuing education units will be available for Certified Crop Advisers.
Southeast Research Farm Grain and Horticulture Crops Field Day
29974 University Road, Beresford
July 7, 1:30-8 p.m.
The field day will begin with tours on topics such as nutrient management, weed management, horticulture and small grains. Agronomy tours will leave at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., and horticulture tours will leave at 3:30 and 6 p.m. All field day attendees will receive SDSU ice cream. Continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisers will be available for certain sessions. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., SDSU Extension will host a family fun evening with additional topics and activities.
Oak Lake Field Station Field Day
19862 483rd Ave., Astoria
July 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Topics including using native plants to restore tall grass prairies, small mammal conservation in South Dakota and the effects of pollinators on plants will be covered at this conservation-focused field day. Lunch and SDSU ice cream will be provided for all attendees.
Northeast Research Farm Field Day
15710 455th Ave., South Shore (2.5 miles west of Interstate 29 off exit 193)
July 9, 4 p.m.-dark
Several agronomic topics will be covered during this field day including herbicide trials and general weed management, soil health research, a 2026 disease and pest update and reporting on the small grains variety trials. Dinner and SDSU ice cream will be provided for all attendees. Continuing education units will be available for Certified Crop Advisers.
West River Research Farm Field Day
13370 Alkali Road, Sturgis
Sept. 9, 3-7 p.m.
Attendees at this field day will see a number of integrated technology demonstrations including using virtual fencing for cattle grazing, thermal and multispectral drones for crop monitoring, and precision livestock feeding and monitoring along with a farm tour. Dinner and SDSU ice cream will be provided for all attendees.
Southeast Research Farm Forage and Livestock Field Day
29974 University Road, Beresford
Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 pm.
More details about specific topics covered during this field day will be made available closer to the event. Lunch and SDSU ice cream will be provided for all attendees.
