SDState - Center of Excellence for Bison Studies

From 160,000 years of history to projections for 2100, SDSU researchers are mapping out how climate changes may reshape the future of bison across North America. Read the full story below and see how SDSU is helping shape the future of bison conservation.

The North American bison's future on the Great Plains South Dakota State University researchers calibrated thousands of years of bison existence records with future projected weather patterns to forecast a significant northwest shift in suitable living conditions for the North American bison.

Bison Health Network for All Producers

The Bison Health Network was introduced at the National Bison Association Winter Conference, where stakeholders identified several key priorities. These included access to a centralized knowledge hub on health, nutrition, and management; the development of a surveillance network to monitor disease, parasites, and national health trends; and the opportunity to be part of a collaborative community dedicated to advancing bison health.

This direct input from producers and stakeholders will guide the Network’s priorities and ensure it delivers meaningful, practical value to the industry.

If you are interested in joining the Bison Health Network head to: https://www.sdstate.edu/south-dakota-agricultural-experiment-station/center-excellence-bison-studies/bison-health-network

On Tuesday, five undergraduate students at SDSU presented their research on bison at the annual Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD).

Amelie Blakely, Kelsey Vockrodt, Taylor Even, Madox Balmer, and Cassandra Rohrbaugh all presented their wonderful work on potential linkages of the rumen microbiome and M. bovis under the supervision of Dr. Benoit St-Pierre.

We are so grateful to have such wonderful researchers and projects supporting bison at SDSU!

Madison Higbee, a student in the SDSU Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine in Brookings, SD, recently shared her research on the bison rumen at the Annual PPVM Poster Session. She worked on this project with Dr. Urso and hopes the findings will help both bison producers and researchers make informed decisions about bison health and feeding practices. Watch for her data in an upcoming manuscript and at the NBA Winter Conference Poster Session!

Congratulations and great work Madison!

Our team had a fantastic time at the Minnesota Bison Association Spring Education Conference this past weekend! It was an incredible few days of sharing research, connecting with industry experts, and strengthening our bison community.

Here are a few highlights from the trip:

Graduate student Angela Lemminger presented the new body condition scoring rubric, sharing examples and explaining how this guide can help producers assess herd health and maintain optimal condition year-round.

Dr. Phil Urso contributed his expertise to the “Maximizing Your Feed & Nutrition Program” panel, discussing key factors behind making informed, effective feed decisions for healthy herds.

We were proud to have 5 Bison Club members in attendance! These students volunteered their time and built valuable connections within the industry.

Thank you to the Minnesota Bison Association for hosting such an educational and impactful event!

From hands‑on fieldwork to meaningful research, our graduate students help move bison science forward every day. We’re grateful for their passion and dedication. Join us in celebrating all their accomplishments and contributions during Graduate Student Appreciation Week!

The 103rd Little International at SDSU was hosted this last weekend in Brookings, SD. This is a wonderful student led event and many of our bison students participated in the various activities. Jessica Joens, our very own Bison Club sentinel, placed second in the lamb lead representing the Bison Club! We are so proud of her and her sheep, Phyllis!

Congratulations to the lamb lead exhibitors!