Dakota Lakes is one of our premier research stations in the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station System. This is a well-renowned field station noted for developing no-till agriculture and regenerative agriculture. This leading research station both nationwide and internationally features no-till, diverse crop rotations and integration of livestock.
The farm focuses on both irrigated and dryland crop research. Irrigation allows scientists to compare and evaluate varieties, as well as compare and evaluate management practices; 240 of the farm's 840 acres are devoted to irrigation. It also allows scientists to do breeding work in both high- and low-moisture environments at the same location in the same year. The farm's field day, held the last Thursday in June, has been listed as one of the, “10 most exciting field days in the nation” by a major farm magazine.
Key Research Projects:
- Impact of Phosphorus Soil Test Level Differences on Crop Response in No-Till Soils in Central South Dakota - Funded by Nutrient Research and Education Council NREC.
- Demonstration and communication of science-based soil husbandry practices (Includes livestock integration and incorporating perennial crops into annual cropping sequences) - This project is an NRCS Cooperative Agreement
- Fossil Fuel Neutral by 2026 - Funded in part by South Dakota Corn Utilization Council.
- Rehabilitating invaded rangeland in central South Dakota with grazing, seeding and herbicides.
- Long-term No-Till Rotation Studies (Evaluating different cropping rotations under 30+ Years of continuous no-till management).
