SDSU Extension experts to attend 2026 Dakotafest

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension experts will attend the 2026 Dakotafest trade show in Mitchell, providing educational resources and hands-on activities for a variety of topics.

SDSU Extension will be at booth No. 216 during the popular annual trade show on Aug. 18-20, 2026, east of Mitchell. Free ice cream will be served starting at 1:30 p.m. CDT daily until the day’s allotment is gone. For more information, visit extension.sdstate.edu/eventsand search “Dakotafest”.

On Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., experts will provide Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training at the Livestock Tent in the southwest corner of the Dakotafest grounds. Attendees can become BQA certified or recertify, both qualifications valid for three years. The BQA training is free and includes training materials. Registration is not required.

“By becoming BQA certified, producers can uphold consumer confidence in beef, enhance herd profitability through better management, safeguard the public image of the beef industry and improve the sale of marketed beef cattle,” said Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist.

On Aug. 19 in the Livestock Tent, Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, will present on strategic pregnancy checking and Warren Rusche, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Feedlot Management Specialist, on preserving calf values.

Aug. 20 presentations will feature Julie Walker, professor and SDSU Extension Beef Specialist, on managing open females and John Jaeger, professor and SDSU Extension Beef Specialist, on limit-feeding beef cows in a drylot.

“Dakotafest is a great time for staff to talk with farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota and the region. We enjoy meeting with them in this informal setting,” said Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist. “We encourage you to bring your questions, samples of problems you may have in your field, pasture or trees.”

Other SDSU Extension experts plan to bring additional information to the booth: 

• Kaylyn Rudy, SDSU Extension Swine Field Specialist, and Rafe Royall, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist on swine biosecurity and nutrition.
• Matt Diersen, Griffith Endowed professor and SDSU Extension Risk and Business Management Specialist, and Sarah Sellars, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Sustainable Farm and Food Systems Specialist, on farm economics and Hoanh Le, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Economics Research Specialist, on South Dakota land values and cash rental rates. 
• Kyle Beach, SDSU Extension 4-H Program Manager and Regional Youth Educator and Michelle Barrett, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator – Hughes and Stanley counties, on 4-H opportunities. 
• Madalyn Shires, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist.
• Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist; John Jaeger, professor and SDSU Extension Beef Specialist; Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist; Warren Rusche, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Feedlot Management Specialist; and Julie Walker, professor and SDSU Extension Beef Specialist.
• Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist.
• Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Program Director, on agricultural tourism.
• Lorna Wounded Head, SDSU Extension Family Resource Management Field Specialist, on farm planning and finances.
• David Karki, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Crop Production Specialist, on Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and research trials information.
• Ali Nafchi, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Precision Agriculture Specialist, with precision agriculture demonstrations.
• Mae Mohror, SDSU Extension Pesticide Program Assistant.
• Sushant Mehan, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Water Resource Engineer Specialist, and Ryan Lefers, Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, South Dakota Water Resources Institute Director and SDSU Extension Water Management Specialist. 
• Sandi Traupel, SDSU Extension Better Choices, Better Health Engagement and Enrollment Coordinator, on chronic disease management. 

For more information on BQA, visit http://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-certification/online-certifications or contact Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, at Robin.Salverson@sdstate.edu or 605-374-4177. For more information on Dakotafest, visit extension.sdstate.edu/events and search “Dakotafest”.

-South Dakota State University