At the recent South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association 2025 Convention and Trade Show in Deadwood, South Dakota State University (SDSU) specialists offered three technology-focused learning sessions as part of the Cattlemen’s Education Series. The sessions aimed to equip producers with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving landscape of agritech, with a particular emphasis on cybersecurity, electronic identification (EID), and virtual fencing.
The first session, “Modern Ranching: Where Innovation Meets Tradition,” was led by Jameson Brennan, SDSU Extension livestock grazing specialist. Brennan delved into the cybersecurity considerations within beef cattle production, discussing strategies for using technology to enhance profitability, address labor shortages, and increase operational flexibility. He emphasized that ranchers don’t need to be technology experts to implement basic cyber practices that can mitigate risks. “We outlined how to protect operations from cyber threats and provided real-life examples and ways to prevent access,” Brennan said. Logan Vandermark, SDSU precision livestock technology specialist, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of “practicing good cyber hygiene,” such as avoiding the use of the same password for multiple accounts.
The second presentation focused on leveraging electronic identification (EID) for enhancing livestock management. Vandermark explained that the goal is to use identification tags to improve herd data management and support operational decision-making. “We highlighted examples of how we can make quantitative decisions versus qualitative decisions for ranch management,” he said. This includes streamlining vaccination and treatment records and automating record-keeping processes. The discussion also touched on practical applications, such as deciding which cows to cull within herds.
The final session, moderated by Krista Ehlert, SDSU Extension range specialist, explored the future of grazing through virtual fencing. Ehlert brought together producers, researchers, and non-governmental organizations to share their perspectives on the technology’s potential and challenges. Vandermark noted that virtual fencing could change how people manage livestock and serve as an effective tool for rangeland stewardship. “We hope folks gained an understanding of the opportunities and potential challenges involved with implementing virtual fencing into range cattle production,” he said.
To further support learning, SDSU has developed a cybersecurity and precision livestock technology trailer. This mobile learning lab highlights current tech equipment and offers producers a hands-on experience with precision tools. Vandermark explained, “We can take this trailer to a ranch to meet with producers for a field day or to conventions and fairs. We can even put virtual fence collars on a few animals to demonstrate the system.” The trailer includes various tools such as virtual fencing collars, stock tank monitoring devices, GPS tags, ID wands, rain gauges, drones, and iPads oriented towards Extension programming.
The integration of technology in cattle production presents both opportunities and challenges. Vandermark emphasized the importance of setting realistic expectations and understanding the readiness of these technologies for producer adoption. “We provide these sessions to shed a little light on where some of these technologies are in terms of readiness for producer adoption,” he said. The discussions at the convention stimulated conversations about the direction of technology in cattle production on the Northern Great Plains and highlighted the need for producers to consider ways to protect their operations as they embrace new technologies.
As the agriculture industry continues to evolve, the insights and tools provided by SDSU specialists offer valuable guidance for producers looking to navigate the complexities of modern ranching. The focus on cybersecurity, EID, and virtual fencing underscores the importance of staying informed and adaptable in an ever-changing technological landscape.