Teaching. We are excited about our two majors, Ag & Biosystems Engineering (ABE), dealing with the development and design of major systems and equipment that impact our world's food sources, and Ag Systems Technology (AST) dealing with practical applications in the agricultural market.

Research. Our research is cutting edge, spanning everything from biofilters and manure odor reduction to food safety, distillers grain, biodiesel fuel, center pivot irrigation, and ground water runoff research.

Extension. Accurate, up-to-date, information from our Extension area provides assistance to South Dakotans in irrigation and water, farm safety, outdoor air quality, farm machinery, ag structures, and environmental, and rural handicap-accessible issues.

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department offers the opportunity for students to improve and impact the food chain and natural resources of America.

Engineering E-News

EPCRA Reporting Air Emissions

An online training session was presented on Feb. 17 that assisted South Dakota livestock producers in understand new EPCRA rules for reporting air emissions from livestock facilities. The power point used in the training session can be down loaded by CLICKING HERE.

Larger livestock and poultry producers will need to report air releases under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, called EPCRA, according to the rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Producers most affected by the ruling would include those operations with more than 2,500 finishing hogs, 700 mature dairy cows, or 1,000 cattle. Farrowing operations with more than 10,000 hogs weighing less than 55 pounds, and facilities with 500 or more horses are also affected. For poultry producers, those with more than 125,000 broilers or 82,000 layers on dry litter, 30,000 broilers or layers on wet litter, or 55,000 turkeys are affected.

Reporting forms and procedures are available at the web site on EPCRA reporting.

Contact: Dick Nicolai, (605) 688-5663 for more information.