Document Type

Circular

Publication Date

2-1957

Department

Agricultural Economics Department

Circular Number

135

Keywords

reed substation, reed ranch, progress report, agricultural research

Description

Reed Ranch is located in Lyman County about midway between Pierre and Presho. It consists of 2,160 acres used for grazing and hay production. This ranch has been used for nearly 20 years as a field laboratory for selenium research. On November 16, 1936, an agreement between the South Dakota State College Agricultural Experiment Station and the South Central South Dakota Land Adjustment Project of the Resettlement Administration outlined a program of cooperative research dealing with selenium poisoning. The program was initiated during 1937 and has continued since. As governmental organization has changed over the intervening years, the cooperating agency representing the Federal Government has also changed from time to time. The present cooperating agency is the U. S. Forest Service. The agreement now in effect covers the period from 1954 to 1964, and renewal beyond that period is anticipated. The present long-range policy has permitted the Experiment Station to make much needed physical improvements that have made the work at Reed Ranch easier and more efficient since 1953. The facilities for handling cattle have been rebuilt, living facilities modernized, and some additional fencing has been done. A shelterbelt has been planted north of the farmstead and 80 acres of native hayland are being replanted to alfalfa. The purpose of this publication is to acquaint citizens of South Dakota with research at Reed Ranch. It summarizes past and present experimentation and outlines plans for the future. This ranch is unique as a substation in that it was provided and is maintained to obtain information concerning chronic selenium poisoning or “alkali disease” in range cattle.

Pages

36

Format

application/pdf

Type

text

Language

en

Publisher

South Dakota State State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, Agricultural Experiment Station

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