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Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering


Welcome to the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, where we strive to impact the future of agriculture through engineering, precision and technology. The ABE Department focuses on identifying and improving the world's food production systems and available natural resources for an enhanced agricultural future.


Explore Our Department

We prepare our students to positively affect and lead the future of agriculture. Our undergraduate students can major in three programs - agricultural and biosystems engineering (ABE), precision agriculture (PRAG) and agricultural systems technology (AST) - all of which prepare students for a broad range of careers across the agricultural industry. Our graduate students can pursue degrees in agricultural and biosystems engineering (M.S.), science in engineering (M.Eng.), agricultural, biosystems and mechanical engineering (Ph.D.) and biological sciences with a specialization in agricultural and biosystems engineering (Ph.D.).

We also provide the public and industry with the resources necessary to build healthy communities. Cutting-edge research in our department spans topics that range from food safety and biodiesel fuel to biofilms and biosensors. Our Extension engineers and specialists provide information regarding water management and resources, environmental quality, climatology and youth education outreach. The Mesonet at SDState, South Dakota's live weather network, provides accurate weather updates every five minutes to increase agricultural efficiency and the Water Resources Institute provides leadership on evolving water concerns and problems faced by South Dakota citizens.

Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Events

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Jan 10

Ag Teachers Conference

Jan 11

Ag Teachers Conference

Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering News

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Precision Connect ’23 attracted a large crowd to the Raven Precision Agriculture Center.

Precision Connect ’24 to showcase SDSU students’ ag internships

Nearly 100 South Dakota State University undergraduate students will showcase their ag industry internship experiences at Precision Connect ’24, Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. This is the fourth annual Precision Connect event, started in conjunction with the 2021 opening of the center.
From left, South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn, national reporter and markets expert Michelle Rook and “Farm Journal” editor and “AgDay” host Clinton Griffiths tape a segment of "AgDay College Roadshow in the Raven Precision Agriculture Center on campus Oct. 30.

SDSU hosts taping of ‘AgDay College Roadshow’

With loud enthusiasm often reserved for athletic events, students, faculty and staff from South Dakota State University’s agricultural programs showed up in full force to welcome a live television taping of “AgDay College Roadshow” Oct. 30 on the SDSU campus.
Sydnee Huber

Jackrabbit in the spotlight / Sydnee Hubner

Since her sophomore year, Sydnee Hubner has been an ambassador for the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. She could also be the poster child for hard work and achievement. The senior agriculture and biosystems engineering major from Pipestone, Minnesota, came to South Dakota State University with a distinguished resume and has only built upon that in her four years here. The most recent entry is receipt of a national scholarship through the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Hubner received the $2,000 Adams Scholarship, making her one of two students from the department to earn a national ASABE award this year.