Progress 02/15/11 to 02/14/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Target groups reached include, the Standing Rock Sioux Community members and leaders; American Indian ranchers; students at Sitting Bull College; undergraduate and graduate students from North Dakota State University and South Dakota State University; local ranchers and other interested parties. Students from Sitting Bull college utilized the research site for "out of the classroom" educational experiences. Undergraduate and graduate students gained experience by assisting with research and outreach activities. Meetings were held at each district on the reservation to gain feedback from tribal members and to increase awareness about project goals. Extension meetings were held on the reservation concerning the nutritional aspects of beef and a discussion of safe food handling. Changes/Problems:There were several changes to the planned effort for Extension on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. These included: A delay in the development of a producer database A delay in the development and conduct of a climate survey of producers on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and the Northern portion of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. The original plan for the Extension programming efforts included development of a cohort of beginning Native ranchers to which the program would be targeted. We were unsuccessful in recruiting ranchers to participate. As a result, we shifted our programming efforts away from development of a targeted cohort and toward the general population of Native American producers of any age or experience level. Changes were necessary to impact producers who were wary of participating in the programs being offered. To understand their concerns, it is necessary to briefly visit the history of Extension in the 1990's on these two reservations. The Farm Bill of the 1990's included outreach efforts to Indian reservations; two reservations that were heavily targeted were Standing Rock and Cheyenne River. Both received outreach through non-profits as well as being part of the original Extension Indian Reservation Program (EIRP), now known as Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP). Although these programs promised saturation of Extension efforts on both reservations, the challenge of keeping an Extension professional on both reservations and limited funding resulted in hit-and-miss delivery of services. Tribal members, especially on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, became wary of promises of Extension opportunities. This history deeply impacted the efforts of the current SDSU/NDSU Extension program. Part of history repeated itself because finding someone to serve as an Extension Educator for this program was difficult. The position was ultimately filled through a contract. The program at that point had a year and a half left, and the contractors began their efforts to offer assistance through Extension by updating the producer database and one-on-one contact with producers. Additionally, the original goals did not recognize the limited number of Indian producers on each reservation due to limited Tribal Leases. Limited leases also impacted the ability to work with beginning ranchers because there are very few Tribal Leases and they are in high demand. Beginning ranchers receive very few of the newly allocated leases each cycle (every 5 years). Last and most important, it was necessary to change the program approach because initial participation was extremely low. An example of this was our first producer meeting: "Indian Ag Appreciation Day". The day before the meeting we had 30 confirmed producers planning to attend, but by the time the program started, we ended up with 10 attendees and 20 cancellations or no-shows. This problem continued throughout the program period requiring us to use alternative recruitment & teaching methods. Through the changes that were implemented, the Extension efforts were salvaged and a very strong Extension foundation has now been re-established on both reservations. At the conclusion of the producer education series of meetings, others who were initially hesitant to participate were asking when the next meeting would be. With that said, it will be extremely important to secure another funding source to continue these efforts or the trust developed for Extension programming will again be lost on both reservations. The most important lesson learned through these Extension efforts is the importance of consistency and reliability. It was evident at the conclusion of this effort that additional agricultural education is needed and highly desired, but to get to that point required over a year of cracking through the resistance. Once that resistance was down, this program was well on its way to being in a position to provide extensive educational information throughout the year. It is important to note that, while many of the goals were not necessarily met as written, all of the goals were accomplished by the impact the program had on producers. Also, it is important to realize these reservations have a "set" number of producers, whether it is beginning producers or experienced producers. All are interested in furthering their education in an effort to be the best producers they can be. This is especially true in low calf price years such as the last year of this program. It is also very important to have the Extension professionals be a familiar face and respected in the field of agriculture. Although it would not be impossible for an outside-the-reservation individual to do this work, it would take considerably longer. The contractors both resided on the reservation and were both ranchers, which helped in the familiarity with contacts and attendance. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training for undergraduate students in low-stress livestock handling, livestock care, livestock diet sampling techniques, use of GPS and GIS in research, and livestock performance and behavior data collection. Training and professional development for research associate and agricultural research manager/specialist on project included training in plant identification, vegetation sampling techniques, statistical analysis techniques, GIS, remote sensing/satellite imagery, construction/testing of GPS collars for livestock, large data set management, livestock care and handling, and livestock sampling techniques. Training for 2 - 6 undergraduate students each year in vegetation sampling techniques, plant identification, use of GPS and GIS in research, and remote sensing principles. Training and professional development for research associate and agricultural research manager/specialist on project included training in plant identification, vegetation sampling techniques, statistical analysis techniques, GIS, remote sensing/satellite imagery, construction/testing of GPS collars for livestock, and large data set management. Training for two undergraduate students each year in taking soil cores for seed banks and bud banks, sieved soil cores for germinable seed bank preparation, setup seed and bud banks experiments in the greenhouses, watering and taking care the seed banks and bud banks, seedling identification, plant specimen making, photographing seed bank germination, record, entry, and check of data set. Training two graduate students for vegetation sampling techniques, greenhouse seed bank and bud bank experiments, plant and seedling identification, and tiller recording. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? A field day was held for members of the Standing Rock community in August 2015. A symposium, focusing on the project and its outcomes, was held as part of the Native American Range Forum during the Society for Range Management Meetings in Sacramento, CA in 2015. A special issue of Rangelands, that focused on the project, was published in February 2016. The project paid for open-access for this issue. Extension/outreach activities with Native American ranchers, including: Field days Study site visits Ranch tours Indian Ag Appreciation workshop Winter workshops focusing on grazing management, stocking rates (especially regarding pastures with prairie dog towns), livestock nutrition, etc. Presentations annually at scientific meetings, including oral and poster papers (see presentations, below) A one-day symposium at the 2015 Society for Range Management meetings in Sacramento, CA. Papers from the 2015 symposium were published in a special issue of Rangelands (Society for Range Management), Vol. 38, Issue 1, February 2016. Editors: John Hendrickson, Roger Gates, and Patricia S. Johnson (see citations below for specific papers with authors from our research team). An invited presentation on streamlining data management developed for post collection processing of GPS data was made at the Grazing Behavior Inservice in Springdale, UT (Jan 27-28). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments made to address the primary questions of the project are noted below from the various participants. Some are in bullet points, and some are in a narrative. February 17, 2016: "Indian Ag Appreciation Day": Producer Training Meeting - Grand River Casino, Mobridge, SD Ranch Tours and Workshops: Tours August 26, 2016: Tour of research site for mentors. Presenters: Ken Olson (SDSU), Pat Johnson (SDSU), Ben Geaumont (NDSU) October 20, 2016: Lopez Ranch Tour. Topic: Grass Utilization, Cow Nutrition, Reproduction (tour originally planned for October 3; postponed due to weather), Presenters: Robin Salverson (SDSU) and Kevin Sedivec (NDSU). November 15, 2016: Claymore Ranch Tour. Topic: Grass Rotation & Water, Presenter: Kevin Sedevic (NDSU) November 22, 2016: Keckler Ranch Tour - cancelled due to weather Producer Training Workshops January 18, 2017: Producer Training 1: Winter Feeding on a Budget - Grand River Casino, Mobridge, SD; Presenter: Ken Olson (SDSU) January 25, 2017: Producer Training 2: Cancelled due to winter storm February 1, 2017: Producer Training 3: Feed Comparisons continued & Buying Bulls on a Budget -Grand River Casino, Mobridge, SD; Presenters: Ken Olson (SDSU) and Robin Salverson (SDSU) February 8, 2017: Producer Training 4: Genetic Selection & Heifer Selection - Grand River Casino, Mobridge, SD: Presenter: Robin Salverson (SDSU). Through the changes that were implemented, the Extension efforts were salvaged and a very strong Extension foundation has now been re-established on both reservations. At the conclusion of the producer education series of meetings, others who were initially hesitant to participate were asking when the next meeting would be. With that said, it will be extremely important to secure another funding source to continue these efforts or the trust developed for Extension programming will again be lost on both reservations. A symposium, presented at a national meeting of range scientists, that used the information from the project to focus on incorporating rangeland management on tribal lands in a culturally centered manner. A special issue of a national peer reviewed journal focused on rangeland manager, that used project information as examine how to incorporate range management on tribal lands. A rangeland health course, presented to graduate students at Sitting Bull Tribal College and taught by a national teaching cadre, that used the project site as an outdoor classroom. A soils data set that looks at the impact of livestock and prairie dog activity on soils from three different ecological sites. Lab results are complete but data analysis has not been initiated. Data sets on axillary buds, tiller demography for western wheatgrass under different herbivory levels and different ecological sites. Data has been collected and analysis is starting. A data set that records changes in the vegetative community on different ecological sites and under different herbivory levels. This data set will be part of a PhD thesis. Thematic maps of all research pastures at the study site: High resolution maps indicating major plant communities both on- and off-town. GIS of study area with layers for sampling sites, plant communities, livestock grazing locations and "hot spots." etc. Livestock GPS and activity data set: The location and activity (graze vs. not grazing) of cattle in all pastures for 5 months/year for all 5 years of the project. This massive data set is being combined with data from the thematic maps for analysis to determine where cattle prefer to graze and how those preferences change throughout the season. These data are also being combined with the diet quality and quantity data to evaluate the extent to which cattle obtain forage value from prairie dog towns throughout the growing/grazing season (June-October). Livestock weight data was collected at the beginning, midpoint, and end of all five grazing seasons. Vegetation data set: Cover, height, biomass of every species in permanent plots for 5 years. Ongoing analysis to evaluate plant community trajectories in response to prairie dog grazing, cattle grazing, combined grazing, and no grazing. Seed bank and bud data set: identified seedlings species list, density, function groups, seedlings image files from seed bank, and same parameters collected from bud bank cores, on two ecological sites 4 grazing regimes for 3 years (expect for 2014 having 3 grazing regimes) on permanent exclosures and un-exclosures. Ongoing analysis to evaluation seed banks and bud banks contribution to plant community trajectory in response to prairie dog grazing, cattle grazing, combined grazing, and no grazing. Rhizome maps and rhizome density data set: Ongoing analysis to evaluate reproductive response (daughter tillers vs. rhizomes) of western wheatgrass tillers to defoliation (cattle, prairie dogs, and both) and no grazing.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Brennan, J.R. 2017. Post collection processing of GPS data using Program R: Tips for streamlining data management. Invited talk. Grazing Behavior Inservice, Springdale,UT, Jan 27-28.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Brennan, J.R., Johnson, P. S., Olson, K. C., and Hanan, N. (2017). Use of high resolution
imagery to classify Northern great plains plant communities. Soc. Range Manage. 70.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Brennan, J.R., Johnson, P. S., Olson, K. C., and Kincheloe, J. J. (2016). Cattle grazing preference
of plant communities within prairie dog colonies. Soc. Range Manage. 69:44.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Brennan, J.R., Menendez III, H. M., Chowanski, K., Turner, B., Hendrix, M., and Koehler, C.
(2016). Vegetation recovery on South Dakota mixed Grass prairie after prairie dog removal. Soc. Range Manage. 69:66.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Xu, L.,Johnson, P. S., Hendrickson, J.R., Sedivec, K. K., Brennan, J.R., and Liebig, M.A.(2016).
Impacts of livestock and wildlife herbivory on seed bank and bud bank in mixed-grass prairie. Soc. Range Manage. 69:110.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Collins, A., Brennan, J. R., Olson, K. C., Kincheloe, J. J., and Johnson, P. S. (2016). Cattle grazing time on and off prairie dog towns. Soc. Range. Manage. 69:58.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Xu, L., Johnson, P. S., Hendrickson, J. R., Sedivec, K. K., Brennan, J. R., Bam, S. (2017).
Impacts of ecological sites and herbivory on soil seed banks and vegetative propagules. Soc. Range Manage. 70.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Burdett-Parker, K. & Garden-Robinson, J. A. (2016). Cooking camps: A novel approach to
increase knowledge and cooking skills among American Indian youth. Journal of Childhood Obesity, 1(4), p. 1-5.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Burdett-Parker, K. & Garden-Robinson, J. A. (2016). Kids cooking camps promote food safety
and nutrition knowledge in Native American youth. Journal of NEAFCS, 10, p. 25-35.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Burdett-Parker, K. & Garden-Robinson, J. A. (2016). Cooking camps: A novel approach to
increase knowledge and cooking skills among American Indian youth. Journal of
Childhood Obesity, 1(4), p. 1-5.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Burdett, K. (2015). The effects of kids cooking camps on Native American childrens
knowledge and habits related to food safety, preparation, and nutrition. M.S. Thesis, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, pp. 110. Advisor: Dr. Julie Garden-Robinson.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Mack, W. (2017). Grassland birds: community dynamics, resource selection, and nest survival on
mixed-grass prairie grazed by native colonial and domestic herbivores. M.S. Thesis, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lipinski, A. (2014). Community dynamics of grassland birds, rangeland vegetation, and black-tailed prairie dogs on grazed mixed-grass prairie. M.S. Thesis. North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, pp.112. Co-Advisors: Dr. Benjamin Geaumont and Dr. Kevin Sedivec.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Frick, T. (2016). THE EFFECTS OF FORAGE LEVEL IN WHOLE OR DRY -ROLLED CORN BASED DIETS ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS, MEAT TENDERNESS, AND MEAT COLOR. M.S. Thesis. North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. Adviser: Robert Maddock
|
Progress 02/15/15 to 02/14/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target groups reached include, the Standing Rock Sioux Community members and leaders; American Indian ranchers; students at Sitting Bull College; undergraduate and graduate students from North Dakota State University and South Dakota State University; local ranchers and other interested parties. Students from Sitting Bull college utilized the research site for "out of the classroom" educational experiences. Undergraduate and graduate students gained experience by assisting with research and outreach activities. Meetings were held at each district on the reservation to gain feedback from tribal members and to increase awareness about project goals. Extension meetings were held on the reservation concerning the nutritional aspects of beef and a discussion of safe food handling. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Student research and learning. Sitting Bull College (SBC) participated in the research at the site. Students from SBC participated in and sampling and analyzing water samples from the stock ponds used in the research led by Dr. Mafany Mongoh. Several graduate students either finished or continues research activites related to the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A field day event was held in late summer where the project team developed a program to show local and native ranchers, tribal leaderhsip, and the public at large the results of the project. The field day had approximatley 50 participants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research, Extension, and teaching activities will continue in 2016 as planned. Tiller demography work will be initiated and axillary bud data will continue to be collected. We will once again collect similar data concerning grassland birds, vegetation, and prairie dogs. Extension programming for beef cattle production, rangeland management, wildlife management, food handling and safety, and human nutrition will be either initiated or expanded with the hiring of an Extension Associate at SDSU. This person will hold 2 to 3 ranchers workshops to disseminate our findings about proper grazing management to local and native ranchers. Students from Sitting Bull College will continue to utilize the research site for undergraduate research project involving range management, wildlife management, and beef cattle production. The projects are a required part of obtaining a degree from Sitting Bull College. A beef production herd was established on the research site to provide an opportunity for students from the collaborating institutions for additional training and outreach activities. Additional heifers were purchased and added to the cow herd, increasing the productivity of the research site. The standing cow herd now total 55 breeding age females. Calves produced from the herd will be used in the upcoming years research and to establish a continuous source of cattle for project activities. This cow herd will hopefully continue to grow to approximately 200 mature cows that will provide a continuous source of animals for the project and beyond. Dr. Jim Garrett continued to be the SBC representative to participate in the grant research goals and to be a liaison between institutions and agencies on behalf of Sitting Bull College. Dr. Garret mentored several students and encouraged them to design their own research, assisted them in their research methodology. Dr. Garrett is also asked to provide presentations on the project to the public. A field day event at the research/teaching site will be held in late summer. We plan to invite the community at large, tribal leadership, and local and native ranchers to view the progress we have made on the site. Several demonstrations will be held and information provided. An advisory committee made up of local stakeholders, community development leaders, and local business leaders will continue to provide guidance on how the establish the project as a long-term endeavor continued to meet.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Activity 1: Most research work is a continuation of previously reported results. Patterns of utilization. One hundred western wheatgrass tillers were located and marked in early June in each of the following: on-town mid-slope sites (Loamy Ecological Site) available only to prairie dogs, on-town toe-slope sites (Thin Claypan Ecological Site) available only to prairie dogs, off-town mid-slope sites available only to cattle, and off-town toe-slope sites available only to cattle. Tillers were visited weekly, and leaf stage, height, and recent evidence of grazing were recorded. Analyses of data are ongoing to evaluate differences in patterns of grazing between cattle and prairie dogs. Plant responses to grazing: PVC "collars" (PVC pipe sections approx. 10cm diam. and 15 cm depth, open at both ends) were driven into the soil around western wheatgrass tillers, with 1 or more tillers per collar. All collars were located in exclosures preventing cattle grazing; approximately 200 tillers were included in collars on-town and 200 off-town. Tillers were defoliated spring 2015 in treatments to represent patterns of use by cattle and prairie dogs based on the "Patterns of Utilization" study, above (Activity #2). Collars will be dug up after 2 years and soil removed to allow evaluation of grazing effects on reproductive strategies (seedling, daughter tiller, and rhizomes) and bud development. Seed bank: Seed bank sampling occurred on 2 Ecological Sites (Thin Claypan and Loamy) and 3 grazing treatments (no grazing off-town, grazing by prairie dog only on-town, and grazing cattle only off-town). Soil cores (10 cm diameter X 10 cm depth) were removed from locations along a randomly oriented transect 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the center of randomly selected prairie dog burrows on-town and randomly selected points off-town. Two cores (A and B) were removed from each location. Seeds from the A cores were removed and planted in flats of soil. The B cores were placed in pots. Flats and pots were maintained in a greenhouse with daily watering. Plants were identified and counted as they emerged. Grazing livestock nutrition research. Grazing livestock nutrition research continued as in previous years. A subset of steers in each treatment pasture had GPS collars that recorded their location in the pasture every 5 minutes. Six ruminally-fistulated steers were used to collect diet samples in temporary enclosures located on- and off-prairie dog colonies in each pasture. Diet samples were collected monthly during the grazing season. Evaluation of degradation of cattle diet samples. Evaluation of degradation of cattle diet samples collected on and off prairie dog towns was initiated in 2014. Diet samples collected in 2013 were dried and ground and weighed into nylon bags; these were put into the rumens of ruminally-fistulated steers. Bags were removed at time intervals, washed, dried and re-weighed to determine degradation of vegetation. Tyler Frick completed a M.S. thesis that evalauated if increasing the forage level and feeding corn whole as opposed to dry-rolled is a feasible alternative to high energy rations with a similar age at time of slaughter. Steers were fed either twenty or forty percent forage, with whole or dry-rolled corn. There were no differences in fat thickness, longissimus area, KPH, marbling, USDA quality grade, Warner-Bratzler shear force, or cook loss. Cattle fed high forage and whole corn tended to have lighter hot carcass weights. Additionally, the forty percent forage treatment tended to have lower USDA yield grades, and had darker colored steaks. Also, steaks from the dry-rolled corn treatment had steaks that were redder, and more yellow. Results from this study suggest that increasing forage level, and corn processing might not result in significant differences in carcass characteristics or meat tenderness, but could negatively impact meat color.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
John R. Hendrickson, Patricia S. Johnson, Mark A. Liebig, Kevin K. Sedivec, Gary A. Halvorson, Use of Ecological Sites in Managing Wildlife and Livestock: An Example with Prairie Dogs, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 23-28, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.11.001.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kenneth C. Olson, Christopher Schauer, Chanda Engel, Janna J. Kincheloe, Jameson R. Brennan, Ben L. Hauptman, Effect of Grazing Prairie DogColonized Rangeland on Cattle Nutrition and Performance:A Progress Report, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 29-33, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.12.003.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Aaron Field, Kevin Sedivec, John Hendrickson, Patricia Johnson, Benjamin Geaumont, Lan Xu, Roger Gates, Ryan Limb, Effects of Short-Term Cattle Exclusion on Plant Community Composition: Prairie Dog and Ecological Site Influences, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 34-37, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.11.004.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Benjamin A. Geaumont, Kevin K. Sedivec, Wyatt Mack, History of Occurrence and Present Home Territory Sizes for Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 38-41, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.11.002.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
James J. Garrett, Future Visions: A Sustainable and Healthy Local Food Production System, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 42-46, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.12.001.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
THE EFFECTS OF FORAGE LEVEL IN WHOLE OR DRY-ROLLED CORN BASED DIETS ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS, MEAT TENDERNESS, AND MEAT COLOR. A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE NDSU GRADUATE SCHOOL.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Engel, C. L., A. Taylor, C.S. Schauer, R. Maddock, K.C. Olson. Effects of whole or rolled corn and 20 or 40 percent forage levels on finishing performance of yearling steers. NDSU Beef Report, Pages 18-21.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Frick, T. L., C.L. Engel and R.J. Maddock. 2015. Effects of 20 or 40 percent forage levels with whole or rolled corn on carcass traits, tenderness and color. NDSU Beef Report. Pages 22-25.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
John R. Hendrickson, Linda Black Elk, Timothy Faller, Development of the Renewal on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation Project, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 1-2, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.12.007.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Linda Black Elk, Native Science: Understanding and Respecting Other Ways of Thinking, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 3-4, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.11.003.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Gary A. Halvorson, The Role of a 1994 Land Grant College, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 14-15, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.12.004.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Joseph P. Brewer II, Joseph G. Hiller, Shawn Burke, Trent Teegerstrom, A Primer: Extension, Indian Land Tenure, and Rangeland Limitations, Rangelands, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 16-22, ISSN 0190-0528, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2015.12.002.
|
Progress 02/15/14 to 02/14/15
Outputs
Target Audience: Target groups reached include, the Standing Rock Sioux Community members and leaders; American Indian ranchers; students at Sitting Bull College; undergraduate and graduate students from North Daktoa State University and South Daktoa State University; local ranchers and other interested parties. Students from Sitting Bull college utilized the research site for "out of the classroom" educational experiences. Undergraduate and graduate students gained experience by assisting with research and outreach activities. Meetings were held at each district on the reservation to gain feedback from tribal members and to increase awareness about project goals. Extension meetings were held on the reservation concerning the nutritional aspects of beef and a discussion of safe food handling. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Sitting Bull College (SBC) participated in the research at the site. Students from SBC participated in and sampling and analyzing water samples from the stock ponds used in the research led by Dr. Mafany Mongoh. Dr. Gary Halvorson was a coauthor on a paper published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal entitled "Soil Change Induced by Prairie Dogs across Three Ecological Sites." Jordan Purintun, Master's student, SDSU · Training Description: Jordan trained in plant identification, the use of handheld GPS units (including sub-meter units), seed bank sampling, and seedling identification. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Jordan collected seed bank data for the project. Shauna McNaughton, Undergraduate, SDSU · Training Description: Shauna trained in plant identification, vegetation biomass sampling, detailed tiller measurements, livestock behavior observations, cattle handling, diet sampling using ruminally fistulated steers, the use of GPS collars on cattle, and the use of handheld GPS units (including sub-meter units) to mark and find the locations of sampling sites. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Shauna collected vegetation and livestock data for the project. Joyce Bassett, Undergraduate, SDSU · Training Description: Joyce trained in plant identification, vegetation biomass sampling, detailed tiller measurements, livestock behavior observations, cattle handling, diet sampling using ruminally fistulated steers, the use of GPS collars on cattle, and the use of handheld GPS units (including sub-meter units). · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Joyce collected vegetation and livestock data for the project. Kaitlyn Myers, Undergraduate, SDSU · Training Description: Kaitlyn trained in plant identification, vegetation biomass sampling, detailed tiller measurements, livestock behavior observations, cattle handling, diet sampling using ruminally fistulated steers, the use of GPS collars on cattle, and the use of handheld GPS units (including sub-meter units). · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Kaitlyn collected vegetation and livestock data for the project. Jamie Brennan, Ag Research Specialist, SDSU · Training Description: Jamie trained in plant identification, vegetation biomass sampling, detailed tiller measurements, livestock behavior observations, cattle handling, diet sampling using ruminally fistulated steers, the use of GPS collars on cattle, and the use of handheld GPS units (including sub-meter units). Jamie was also trained in data entry and analysis and in presentation of data during the post-field season. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Jamie collected vegetation and livestock data for the project. Led the data collection crew in 2014, and will lead crews in future years. Jamie also has been instrumental in data entry, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Celina Brown Otter, Undergraduate, SBC · Training Description: Celina trained in IRB and research procedures while working with faculty from SBC, NDSU, and ARS. She participated in the research activities related to prairie dog control. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Celina collected data which was used in the study of prairie dogs. This information supported the presentations developed for symposium and conferences. Connie Brown Otter, Undergraduate, SBC · Training Description: Connie trained in IRB and research procedures while working with faculty from SBC, NDSU, and ARS. . She also trained in dissemination material development and participated in a number of presentations of research at the project site by faculty and graduate students. Maurice Little Bear, Undergraduate, SBC Training Description: Maurice was trained in IRB procedures while working with faculty from SBC, NDSU, and ARS. Maurice began working with the cattle during the summer of 2013. While involved with the project, Maurice learned a lot about the care of cattle in a research environment. He was also able to observe the research activities of the greater project. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Maurice participated in a number of presentations of research at the project site by faculty and graduate students. He graduated with a BS in Environmental Science in 2014. Dakota Wolf Necklace, Undergraduate, SBC · Training Description: Dakota was trained in IRB and research procedures while working with faculty from SBC, NDSU, and ARS. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Dakota participated in a number of presentations of research at the project site by faculty and graduate students. Students assisting Objectives 1.2 and 1.3 activities Amanda Lapinski, Masters Student, NDSU. · Training Description: Amanda was trained as a field biologist and has become extremely efficient at the identification of both plants and birds of the Northern Great Plains. In addition, Amanda received formal education and obtained a MS in Range Sciences from North Dakota State University. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Amanda played an intricate role in data collection and analysis of the bird and vegetation data as it relates to birds and vegetation. Amanda's thesis is entitled Rangeland vegetation, black-tailed prairie dogs, and grassland birds: community dynamics and nest habitat selection on grazed mixed-grass prairie. Wyatt Mack, Masters Student, NDSU. · Training Description: Wyatt Mack joined the research team as a graduate assistant perusing a degree in Natural Resource Management at NDSU. Wyatt is responsible for the collection of bird and associated vegetation data. Wyatt annually conducts bird and vegetation surveys on 36 transect spread across the research site. Wyatt is also responsible for the management of one or two field technicians each summer.. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Wyatt assisted with the data collection necessary for the completion of milestones and deliverables. Daniel Graham, Masters Student, NDSU. · Training Description: Daniel Graham is a master's level research technician who aided in all aspects of research associated with prairie dogs. Dan also aided with nest searching activities on multiple occasions. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Dan assisted with the data collection and GIS processing necessary for the completion of milestones and deliverables. Nick Allen, Undergraduate, NDSU. · Training Description: Nick was a seasonal research technician who was on-site throughout the entire field season, and helped with data collection. Nick helped with prairie dog trapping, vegetation surveys and nest searching efforts. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Nick assisted with the data collection necessary for the completion of milestones and deliverables. Tyler Ruff, Research Technician, NDSU. · Training Description: Tyler was a seasonal research technician that helped with data collection. Tyler helped periodically with prairie dog trapping, vegetation surveys and nest searching efforts. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Tyler assisted with the data collection necessary for the completion of milestones and deliverables. Jessica Jaeckel, Research Technician, NDSU. · Jessica was a seasonal research technician that helped with data collection. Jessica helped periodically with prairie dog trapping, vegetation surveys and nest searching efforts. · Contributions to Milestones/Deliverables: Jessica assisted with the data collection necessary for the completion of milestones and deliverables. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Sitting Bull College hosted a rangeland health workshop on September 17, 18, and 19th, 2014. The goal of the workshop was to demonstrate how to assess the current ecological state of a rangeland using an innovative process. This ecological snapshot focuses on the land, and is designed to improve land assessments and strengthen communication among those who are interested in rangeland health. The rangeland health process is unique in that it takes into account the whole ecosystem. Application of the concepts and protocols of Rangeland Health process requires training. The workshop was designed to provide this training over 2.5 days. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Research, Extension, and teaching activities will continue in 2015 as planned. Tiller demography work will be initiated and axillary bud data will continue to be collected. We will once again collect similar data concerning grassland birds, vegetation, and prairie dogs. The third year of beef cattle production research will continue as planned with yearlings being utilized in the grazing study. The yearlings will be finished at a NDSU research feedlot using sustainable and low input production practices that will serve as a source of research and an example of how beef cattle production can increase on the Standing Rock Reservation. Talking circles (focus groups) will continue to be held with tribal members and other stakeholders to ensure the project continues to be culturally focused. We anticipate 4-6 groups to participate. Our next steps will be focused on community involvement in the design and development of a project logo. True to the culture-centered approach, we will focus additional efforts on online and face-to-face activities that will involve Standing Rock community members to a greater extent, and gather their valuable input. Extension programming for beef cattle production, rangeland management, wildlife management, food handling and safety, and human nutrition will be either initiated or expanded with the hiring of an Extension Assocaite at Sitting Bull College. This person will hold 2 to 3 ranchers workshops to disseminate our findings about proper grazing management to local and native ranchers. Students from Sitting Bull College will continue to utilize the research site for undergraduate research project involving range management, wildlife management, and beef cattle production. The projects are a required part of obtaining a degree from Sitting Bull College. A beef production herd was established on the research site to provide an opportunity for students from the collaborating institutions for additional training and outreach activities. Additional heifers were purchased and added to the cow herd, increasing the productivity of the research site. The standing cow herd now total 55 breeding age females. Calves produced from the herd will be used in the upcoming years research and to establish a continuous source of cattle for project activities. This cow herd will hopefully continue to grow to approximately 200 mature cows that will provide a continuous source of animals for the project and beyond. Dr. Jim Garrett continued to be the SBC representative to participate in the grant research goals and to be a liaison between institutions and agencies on behalf of Sitting Bull College. Dr. Garret mentored several students and encouraged them to design their own research, assisted them in their research methodology. Dr. Garrett is also asked to provide presentations on the project to the public. A field day event at the research/teaching site will be held in June. We plan to invite the community at large, tribal leadership, and local and native ranchers to view the progress we have made on the site. Several demonstrations will be held and information provided. An advisory committee made up of local stakeholders, community development leaders, and local business leaders will continue to provide guidance on how the establish the project as a long-term endeavor continued to meet. We anticipate that the project will eventually be self-sustaining with cash receipts from beef cattle production being able to provide support for this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Activity 1: Patterns of utilization. One hundred western wheatgrass tillers were located and marked in early June in each of the following: on-town mid-slope sites (Loamy Ecological Site) available only to prairie dogs, on-town toe-slope sites (Thin Claypan Ecological Site) available only to prairie dogs, off-town mid-slope sites available only to cattle, and off-town toe-slope sites available only to cattle. Tillers were visited weekly, and leaf stage, height, and recent evidence of grazing were recorded. Analyses of data are ongoing to evaluate differences in patterns of grazing between cattle and prairie dogs. Plant responses to grazing: PVC "collars" (PVC pipe sections approx. 10cm diam. and 15 cm depth, open at both ends) were driven into the soil around western wheatgrass tillers, with 1 or more tillers per collar. All collars were located in exclosures preventing cattle grazing; approximately 200 tillers were included in collars on-town and 200 off-town. Tillers will be defoliated spring 2015 in treatments to represent patterns of use by cattle and prairie dogs based on the "Patterns of Utilization" study, above (Activity #2). Collars will be dug up after 2 years and soil removed to allow evaluation of grazing effects on reproductive strategies (seedling, daughter tiller, and rhizomes) and bud development. Seed bank: Seed bank sampling occurred on 2 Ecological Sites (Thin Claypan and Loamy) and 3 grazing treatments (no grazing off-town, grazing by prairie dog only on-town, and grazing cattle only off-town). Soil cores (10 cm diameter X 10 cm depth) were removed from locations along a randomly oriented transect 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the center of randomly selected prairie dog burrows on-town and randomly selected points off-town. Two cores (A and B) were removed from each location. Seeds from the A cores were removed and planted in flats of soil. The B cores were placed in pots. Flats and pots were maintained in a greenhouse with daily watering. Plants were identified and counted as they emerged. Grazing livestock nutrition research. Grazing livestock nutrition research continued as in previous years. A subset of steers in each treatment pasture had GPS collars that recorded their location in the pasture every 5 minutes. Six ruminally-fistulated steers were used to collect diet samples in temporary enclosures located on- and off-prairie dog colonies in each pasture. Diet samples were collected monthly during the grazing season. Evaluation of degradation of cattle diet samples. Evaluation of degradation of cattle diet samples collected on and off prairie dog towns was initiated in 2014. Diet samples collected in 2013 were dried and ground and weighed into nylon bags; these were put into the rumens of ruminally-fistulated steers. Bags were removed at time intervals, washed, dried and re-weighed to determine degradation of vegetation. Student research and learning. Sitting Bull College (SBC) participated in the research at the site. Students from SBC participated in and sampling and analyzing water samples from the stock ponds used in the research led by Dr. Mafany Mongoh. Dr. Gary Halvorson was a coauthor on a paper published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal entitled "Soil Change Induced by Prairie Dogs across Three Ecological Sites." Kid's cooking camps. Kids' cooking camps taught a variety of lessons focused on preparing healthy meals and snacks. Lessons included a thorough examination of MyPlate, kitchen and food safety, preparing snacks and meals, how to read a label, how to prepare meals when short on time, food preservation, gardening, traditional food systems, and farm to plate. The cooking camps ran for six hours per day for four days each week. There were four camps held during the summer months. Each day, children participated in preparing a morning snack, a mid-day meal, and an afternoon snack before heading home for the day. Kids also took part in a variety of educational activities, including games, the lessons listed above, coloring sheets and physical activities.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Barth, C.J., Liebig, M.A., Hendrickson, J.R., Sedivec, K. K., Halvorson, G. (2014). Soil Change Induced by Prairie Dogs across Three Ecological Sites. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 78:2054- 2060.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lipinski, A.,Sedivec, K. K., and Geaumont, B., A. (2014). A study on the interactions among
rangeland vegetation, black-tailed prairie dog colonies, and the spatial distribution and
diversity of grassland avifauna in northern South Dakota. Society for Range
Management. Orlando, FL, USA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Anderson, V., Engel, C. (2014). Effects of forage level in finishing diets on feedlot performance
and carcass quality. Sustainable Ag. Conference, Sitting Bull College, Ft. Yates, ND
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Barth, C. J., Liebig, M. A., Hendrickson, J. R., Sedivec, K., Halvorson, G. A., (2014). How do
prairie dogs alter soil quality? Observations from three ecological sites. Sustainable Ag.
Conference, Sitting Bull College, Ft. Yates, ND.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Beauchamp, K. A., Littlefield, R. S. (2014). Renewal on Standing Rock Sioux reservation:
Land, cattle, beef, and people. Sustainable Ag. Conference, Sitting Bull College, Ft.
Yates, ND.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Burdett, K., Garden-Robinson, J. A., Hunter, M. J., West, R. (2015). Kids cooking camps
promote fruit and vegetable intake: Parent/caregiver perspectives. Poster presentation at
the Human Development and Education Department conference, NDSU, Fargo,
ND, April 15.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Geaumont, B. (2014). Prairie dogs, ecological drivers? South Dakota Invasive Species
Management Association. Rapid City, South Dakota.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Geaumont, B., Schauer, C., Maddock, R. (2014). Renewal on the Standing Rock Sioux
Reservation: land, cattle, and people. North Dakota State University, Research Extension
Center and Extension Fall Conference. Fargo, ND.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lipinski, A., Sedivec, K. K., Limb, R., Geaumont B.A. (2014). Community interactions:
grassland birds, prairie dogs, and rangeland vegetation. Range, Soils and Beef Day.
Hettinger, ND.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Olson, K.C. (2014) Grazing steer response to level of prairie dog colonization on native prairie.
Range, Soils, and Beef Day, Hettinger Research Center, March 12.
|
Progress 02/15/13 to 02/14/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target groups reached include, the Standing Rock Sioux Community members and leaders; American Indian ranchers; students at Sitting Bull College; undergraduate and graduate students from North Daktoa State University and South Daktoa State University; local ranchers and other interested parties. Students from Sitting Bull college utilized the research site for "out of the classroom" educational experiences. Undergraduate and graduate students gained experience by assisting with research and outreach activities. Meetings were held at each district on the reservation to gain feedback from tribal members and to increase awareness about project goals. Extension meetings were held on the reservation concerning the nutritional aspects of beef and a discussion of safe food handling. Changes/Problems: Changes to the project included broadening the scope of the outreach to include food handling, human nutrtiion, and food safety. Beef from cattle on the project was harvested at the NDSU meat lab and used in Extension trainings, with additional beef being provided to the local food banks, schools, and other communities on the reservation. The prairie dogs did not cooperate as the population densities varied from the previous years. This change in prairie dog density may required the use of additional research sites at a separate location. Some issues with access due to the lease of the research site were overcome by working with the local ranchers and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Several undergraduate and graduate students worked on the project. The students were from North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and Sitting Bull College. Students worked as summer student labor and as interns. Vegetation Training-- Research activities provided an opportunity for 2 research technicians, 2 graduate students and 7 summer student to gain research experience. Ben Hauptman and Janna Kincheloe received training and experience in vegetation sampling, use of GPS collars on livestock, rumen sampling, and use of GPS units in the field. In addition, Mr. Hauptman gained experience in on-site personnel leadership and organization and Ms. Kincheloe gained experience in data management and personnel leadership. Aaron Field is a Ph.D. student with North Dakota State University, who will be focusing his research on community level and axillary bud responses to prairie dog and livestock herbivory. Christi Koehler is a graduate student with South Dakota State University, focusing livestock use of prairie dog communities. Multiple undergraduate and summer students were exposed to research through this project. Jared Brown, Garrett Bergum, Elise Berheim, Lance Wheeler, and James Woodring, summer students employed by the project through South Dakota State University, gained experience in vegetation sampling, use of GPS collars to track livestock movement, rumen sampling and livestock handling. Matt Bingert and Brandon Bott, temporary employees with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, received training in vegetation and soils research respectively. Wildlife Training-- Research activities provided an opportunity for 1 graduate student, 3 summer technicians and 1 research technician to gain valuable field experience. Amanda Lipinski is currently a Master’s of Science student working on her thesis. Her research is focused on the interactions between grassland birds and prairie dogs. Amanda served as crew leader and collected the majoring of the data concerning grassland birds and vegetation. Jennifer Chancy worked as a research technician from May to October. Her duties included aiding in the collection of data concerning prairie dogs, vegetation, and birds. Alexandria Fulton worked as a research technician aiding in the capture of prairie dogs. Daniel Hoff worked as a research technician and helped with all aspects of data collection. Jeff Stackhouse is a full time research technician who helped capture vegetation and prairie dog data. Along with field experience, each individual learned how to work as part of a team and for many were able to work in a new unfamiliar ecosystem learning about new animals. Finally, this opportunity provided a few of these technicians a first time look into agriculture and livestock production. During the Summer of 2013, Sitting Bull College has had four students that worked on this project. Two of these students are majoring in Environmental Science at SBC and the other students are 2013 McLaughlin High School graduates that are being recruited into the SBC Environmental Science Program. The SBC student’s have undergone the NDSU Institutional Review Board training that enables them to work alongside researchers on the various research projects at the site. They have also received on-site training from wildlife researchers, ie, prairie dog capture and marking methods, as well as data record-keeping. They have assisted the SDSU animal science student interns with weekly gathering of the four herds of steers to download data from their GPS collars. They participated in the gathering of foraging data by assisting in the gathering the fistulated steers and taking forage samples from their stomachs. The students have been given thorough overviews of the project’s short- and long-term goals and objectives. Two for the SBC students have assisted NDSU faculty in the gathering of reservation-wide data through a survey instrument that questioned reservation resident’s attitudes regarding the research project and the subsequent outcomes. The students went to every district on the SRST reservation to gather data. Communications personnel that received training: NDSU Doctoral student support: 1, part time Kimberly Beauchamp, Research Fellow and Doctoral Candidate, Department of Communication NDSU Masters student support: 3, part time Shalindra Rathnasinghe, Laura Farrell, Jenna Currie-Mueller Standing Rock Cultural Agents support: 3 Harriet Blackhoop, James Garrett, Linda Different Cloud Jones Sitting Bull College Undergraduate student support: 2 Maurice Little Bear, Thomas Little Bear How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We started the project knowing that cultural concerns were an important consideration, through the information found at talking circles we increased our knowledge of these concerns and responded by including more local and tribal input into demonstration site development and will continue with the initiation of educational programs derived from the research. Discussions with local peoples and ranchers neighboring the site resulted in an increased awareness of cooperation that was in place regarding water and fencing issues that we are continuing. Awareness among researchers and educators that the ultimate goal of producing local beef, especially for the tribal community was stressed in monthly conference calls among all study participants. This research is predicated on collaborations between institutions and disciplines. Information gained in each area is freely shared to all participants to maximize project synergy. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Research will continue in 2014. Tiller demography work will be initiated and axillary bud data will continue to be collected. The potential sites on US Forest Service land will be evaluated as soon as possible by the research team. If the site is promising, treatments will be instituted in 2014. Research is expected to continue as planned in 2014. We will once again collect similar data concerning grassland birds, vegetation, and prairie dogs. Amanda Lipinski is well on her way to completing her thesis and therefore a new graduate student will be hired to aid in the continuation of this research. The third year of beef cattle production research will continue as planned with yearlings being utilized in the grazing study. The yearlings will be finished at a NDSU research feedlot using sustainable and low input production practices that will serve as a source of research and an example of how beef cattle production can increase on the Standing Rock Reservation. Talking circles (focus groups) will continue to be held with tribal members and other stakeholders to ensure the project continues to be culturally focused. We anticipate 4-6 groups to participate. Our next steps will be focused on community involvement in the design and development of a project logo. True to the culture-centered approach, we will focus additional efforts on online and face-to-face activities that will involve Standing Rock community members to a greater extent, and gather their valuable input. Extension programming for beef cattle production, rangeland management, wildlife management, food handling and safety, and human nutrition will be either initiated or expanded. Students from Sitting Bull College will continue to utilize the research site for undergraduate research project involving range management, wildlife management, and beef cattle production. The projects are a required part of obtaining a degree from Sitting Bull College. A beef production herd was established on the research site to provide an opportunity for students from the collaborating institutions for additional training and outreach activities. Forty-five beef heifers were purchased and will have calves in the Spring of 2014. Calves produced from the herd will be used in the upcoming years research and to establish a continuous source of cattle for project activities. This cow herd will hopefully continue to grow to approximately 200 mature cows that will provide a continuous source of animals for the project and beyond. Dr. Jim Garrett will continue to be the SBC representative to participate in the grant research goals and to be a liaison between institutions and agencies on behalf of Sitting Bull College. His academic and research specialty is in Rangeland Ecosystem Science and he holds a degree from the Warner College of Natural Resources @ Colorado State University. His assigned task is to mentor students whenever it is needed and to encourage them to design their own research, assist them in their research methodology, to guide them in the overall research process, as well as assisting any of the participating faculty and staff from the collaborating partners. Dr. Garrett is also asked to provide presentations on the project to the public. An advisory committee was established that is made up of local stakeholders, community development leaders, and local business leaders to provide guidance on how the establish the project as a long-term endeavor. We anticipate that the project will eventually be self-sustaining with cash receipts from beef cattle production being able to provide support for this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Overall progress has been made toward achieving the team’s milestones and deliverables in regards to the natural resources components. Information gained by the team in understanding prairie dog and avian dynamics in conjunction with livestock grazing will help ranchers and land managers develop strategies for the co-existence of livestock and prairie dogs. Team members working on rangeland vegetation have made progress and instituted procedures that will develop a better state-and-transition model for understanding vegetation changes on prairie dog dominated rangelands. This includes analyzing vegetative productivity and species composition at the community level on and off town and initiating studies to better understand population dynamics, through tiller demography and axillary bud evaluation for sites on and off town. Team members have also collected hydrological infiltration and permeability data to correspond with previously collected data on selected soil parameters to better understand soil health on prairie dog colonies. In total, this data is providing a multi-disciplinary picture of the natural resources on and off a prairie dog colony. This information will be used to develop a sustainable livestock management plan that considers livestock, wildlife and vegetation objectives. However, there are some issues that arose during the past season. First, as mentioned in the OUTCOME/IMPACTS, the wet summer and fall presented challenges in trapping prairie dogs to determine population size. Also, one of the treatments was removal of prairie dogs and no livestock grazing. This would provide information on how to manage vegetation on prairie dog towns that have been depopulated by plague. Instituting this treatment has been problematic. The team is investigating the potential to utilize US Forest Service managed land to address this treatment. As NDSU Extension, our capacity-building responsibilities for this project include activities that center around food-safety education and outreach within the Standing Rock community. While Extension has always had a presence teaching food safety classes at Standing Rock, this summer, we enhanced our food safety kits and lesson plans to include project-associated materials. Through these materials, we are helping raise community awareness and increase community involvement with the project. For example, each individual attending the food-safety classes is provided a meat thermometer, nutritious recipes, a brochure that explains the Natural Beef project, and if meat inventory allows, a two-pound package of frozen ground beef to take home. At each class, the Extension agent administers pre surveys to gather input from class participants regarding their safe food handling practices. A follow up survey is administered to measure the extent to which individuals are continuing to use meat thermometers, have used the ground beef in recipes at home, and what they thought about the beef. The data serve to measure the educational impact of the lessons provided through Extension. To date, 48 individuals have attended the food safety classes. From the post surveys, we have noted an increase in the use of meat thermometers, among individuals cooking at home. From the follow up surveys, thermometer use at home was noted among 96% of 23 participants. From the pre-survey, thermometer use was noted among 34% of the 48 participants. All class participants used the beef provided from this project, in recipes cooked at home. Community members are finding the good flavor and quality in the beef associated with the project. Our project responsibilities include building a communication infrastructure for this project. Through community engagement, we have focused our efforts on raising community awareness and increasing community involvement with the project. We designed and printed a banner to include the project’s title and logos representing the organizations and institutions involved in the project as co-researchers. Additionally, we designed and printed copies of a poster to summarize the group efforts of project-related activities. The banner and posters are available to use when promoting the project at conferences and public events. To create opportunities to raise awareness about the project and interact with community members, we hired two cultural agents to schedule eight community events in the summer of 2013. One cultural agent specifically designed a flier that could be photocopied and disseminated to invite individuals to attend the community events. The fliers were hung up in grocery stores, local cafes, and community centers. The community engagement events were also promoted by face-to-face interactions. A total of eight events were held between July 24, 2013 and August 2, 2013, with one in each district. At each event, we prominently displayed our banner and poster, and distributed project-related materials to attendees. The cultural agents supervised the events, and were assisted by two local student helpers to gather feedback from community members. These events presented an opportunity for community members to learn more about the project, voice their questions and concerns, and find out how to become involved in project activities. To give back to the community, we designed a program to distribute beef (associated with the project) to members of the Standing Rock community. Approximately 2500 pounds of beef was processed at NDSU. Of the beef, 40 packages of beef steaks, 800 packages of beef jerky, and 576 pounds of ground beef were distributed at the eight district events. The remaining ground beef packages were distributed through the Standing Rock food pantry system, and through NDSU Extension food-safety education and outreach workshops offered to community members. The meat distribution program supports the communication infrastructure development process. Broad Impacts We found that stocking rates for cattle would be more variable than anticipated when correcting for range conditions in lands with high numbers of prairie dogs. Soil conditions were also more degraded than expected from preliminary research. As research involving the cattle was initiated in year two, there is limited data about the impacts of grazing on rangeland improvements at the demonstration site. We also found that bureaucratic involvement from tribal and governmental agencies, especially the Bureau of Indian Affairs dramatically increased the amount of time required to develop the site and initiate the project. Support by the local and tribal community at large is strong, and we expect as the educational programs are initiated in coming years that this support will continue. At this time there are no major unanticipated outcomes. Our food safety classes are making a difference. An NDSU graduate student in nutrition is receiving training through this project. She is building Extension education materials for this project and is tracking the data for impact reports. On a day-to-day basis, the project banner (developed through the Communication Infrastructure component of the project), is displayed at the food pantry in Standing Rock. NDSU Extension is helping to raise awareness about the project through education classes and outreach activities within the community. Through education and outreach activities, Extension agents are handing out brochures that describe the project, and are taking care to talk to clients about the project. NDSU Extension is involved in the project’s program to distribute beef (associated with the project) to members of the Standing Rock community. Of the approximately 2500 pounds of beef processed at NDSU this past summer, frozen ground beef packages have been distributed through Extension food-safety classes and through the food pantry system located at Standing Rock. The meat distribution program supports the NDSU Extension efforts surrounding food-safety education and outreach.
Publications
|
Progress 02/15/12 to 02/14/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Scientific Community in Range, Soil, Animal, and Wilflife Sciences Scientific Community in Communications and Crisis Management Livestock producers in the geographic research area, including cattle and bison producers Extension personnel in the geographic area, and other areas in North and South Dakota Students at North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and Sitting Bull College Tribal members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe The public at large, including the local business community, community leaders, and tribal leaders Changes/Problems: Very few changes have been made at this point. We were delayed one year on collecting cattle production research data due to the need to finalize the lease with the land owners and the tribe on the project site. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Seven graduate students and five undergraduate students were utlized to this point. These students received training in several research areas including wildlife management, range science, soil science, GIS mapping, cattle management and economics. In addition, students from Sitting Bull College assisted with data collection, providing native students with the opportunity to observe research. Also, five students from Sitting Bull College were used to collect cultural information during the talking circles, providing students with the opportunity to observe communications research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Theme 1: Talking circles will continue to be held with tribal leadership and other local leaders to provide input into the research and outreach activites. In addition, the cultural renewal team will meet wtih constituents in each of the eight districts of the reservation during field days to have formal and informal discussins about the direction of the project. This part of the project will continue to utilize students from Sitting Bull College. Theme 2: We are replicating the previous years research activites as range research requires multiple years of data to be valid. Soil samples will continue to be collected and evaluated. Grazing patterns will be measured using cannulated steers. Forage utilization of grazing cattle will continue to be measured, as well as growth and performance data. In this year, we will begin prairie dog control to evaluate the effects of reducing prairie dog numbers on soil health, and range productivity. Theme 3: Cattle that are being used in the grazing portion of the study will once again be finished at a research center, focusing on extensive management procedures, and the economic vialbility of "natural" production. That is, growing and finsihing cattle without the use of growth promotants and antibiotics.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The primary impact at this point has been to increase our visibility on the Standing Rock Reservation and to develop a working ranch were we can perform research, teaching, and Extension and serve as a model for ranchers in the area and across the country. Research has been initiated, and local contacts have been made. Specifically: Theme 1, Cultural Renewal: Talking groups have been performed with local and tribal leaders since the inception of the project. Important considerations of research and outreach activities based on culturally-centered concerns have been integrated into the project. For example, it was determined controlling prairie dogs was an appropriate research activity if the large numbers of prairie dogs were degrading the land. Theme 2, Soil, Land, and Range Renovation: After acquiring, via lease, a study site of 1600 hectares, fences were built, water lines installed, and easements for entry and water movement were obtained. Soil maps, GIS information about the research site, forage types and availability and grazing patterns were observed for one year. Wildlife counts were taken, especially for birds, and small land mammals. A weather station was installed to provide information as to affect of weather on soil and forage conditions. Theme 3, Beef Production. 150 yearling cattle were grazed on 8 pastures stratified by various levels of prairie dog infestation. Growth data, forage utilization, cattle management measures, such as animal health were measured. After the grazing season, cattle were transferred to a research station and fed one of three diets that maximized forage utilization during the finishing phase. The treatments applied to the cattle were intended to provide a model for feeding cattle extensively. This model will be presented to local producers as options for more extensive cattle feeding. The cattle were slaughtered at a commercial processor. Growth efficiency, economic efficiency, and carcass traits were measured and the data is being analyzed.
Publications
|
Progress 02/15/11 to 02/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project initiation included finalizing leases for the research/teaching/Extension site. After leases were finalized, a herdsman was hired, and fencing and water development of the research pastures is progressing. Cattle were obtained and are projected for turnout in June 5, 2012. A "Talking Circle" was held with the family that is renting the land to the project, Sitting Bull College, and researchers to discuss the project objectives, how the research team was planning on fencing and developing water for the research pastures, and how to effectively communicate the project to the family on a yearling basis. On-going facilitation of communication occurred between grant personnel, family, and community members involved with the project. In the fall of 2011, the research site was roughly delineated and the area that was currently occupied by prairie dogs was evaluated. The data was used to delineate fence boundaries for the construction of four unique pastures. Also geographic data regarding the current locations of all existing fences, water developments, trails, and gates was finished. In the spring of 2012, prairie dogs were baited in randomly selected areas using oat and corn and trapping is underway in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the baits. PARTICIPANTS: Rob Maddock, Project Director; Chris Schauer, Hettinger Research Extension Center, NDSU, Livestock Production leader; Gary Halvorson, Sitting Bull College, Tribal Contact and Native Education Leader; Robert Littlefield, NDSU, Communications and Cultural Evaluation Leader; Benjamin Geuamont, Hettinger Research Extension Center, NDSU, Wildlife Evaluation Leader; Patricia Johnson, South Dakota State University, Range Management; Roger Gates, South Dakota State University, Range Management; Ken Olson, South Dakota State University, Beef Extension programming; John Hendrickson, USDA-ARS, Range Management Leader; Kevin Sedivec, NDSU, Range Management; Mafany Mongoh, Sitting Bull College, Undergraduate Student Education; Jim Garret, Sitting Bull College, Research Site Technician; Lisa Yellow, USDA Tribal Liaison; Xu Lan, South Dakota State University, Research Technician TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include the Native American peoples of North Dakota and South Dakota; people living in and around the research site; cattle ranchers; range scientists, animal scientists, food scientists, and Extension personnel. At this point, only preliminary information is available and very little has been shared with the target audiences. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Outcomes for the initiation of the project involved meeting with stakeholders to exchange information and ideas about the project. Change in knowledge occurred for the family as they met with members of the research team. Awareness of decision-making associated with implementation of the grant was evident. Change in knowledge occurred for the grant personnel as they came to better understand the concerns/needs of the family involved with the project; as well as through their application of communication best practices for interacting with cultural groups. Introduction of local cultural agents from Sitting Bull College into the communication process created a positive environment for the grant personnel to meet with the family and community members.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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