North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers are gearing up for a high‑stakes winter of decisions on markets, biosecurity and technology, just as South Dakota’s top track and field programs blast into the indoor season with record‑setting performances.
On December 19, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension’s Central Dakota Ag Day will bring producers to Carrington for a deep dive into cybersecurity, robotic weed control and livestock health. NDSU Agriculture
One state to the south, the SDSU Holiday Open in Brookings has already offered a glimpse of how the Summit League’s track and field powers are shaping up for 2025‑26, with South Dakota State, North Dakota State, North Dakota and South Dakota all making early statements. University of South Dakota Athletics
Central Dakota Ag Day 2025: Cyber, Robotics and Resilient Herds
When and where
Central Dakota Ag Day is set for Friday, Dec. 19, at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC), roughly three to three‑and‑a‑half miles north of Carrington, North Dakota, on U.S. Highway 281. NDSU Agriculture
The one‑day program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central Time:
- 9:30 a.m. – Coffee, donuts and vendor time
- 9:50 a.m. – Introductions
- 10:00 a.m. – Morning keynote on cybersecurity
- Late morning and early afternoon – 15 concurrent breakout sessions in three tracks
- 2:10 p.m. – Closing general session on the 2026 crop market outlook NDSU
No registration is required, lunch is provided, and many sessions qualify for Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing‑education credits. NDSU Agriculture
The event is organized by NDSU Extension agents in Barnes, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, Sheridan, Stutsman and Wells counties, together with staff from the Carrington Research Extension Center. NDSU Agriculture
Cybersecurity: “U.S. Ag’s Next Big Storm”
The headline topic for 2025 is cybersecurity on the farm and ranch.
Tech Support Farm’s Chris Sherman will deliver the morning keynote, titled “Cyber: U.S. Ag’s Next Big Storm,” followed later by a breakout session on how producers can “ride out the storm” by improving their cybersecurity posture today. NDSU Agriculture
NDSU Extension’s framing is blunt: as farms adopt cloud‑based accounting, remote‑controlled grain handling, GPS‑guided equipment and on‑farm data platforms, every new connection becomes a potential entry point for cybercriminals. NDSU Agriculture
Expect Sherman’s sessions to cover:
- How ransomware and phishing actually show up in farm operations
- Simple changes—multi‑factor authentication, segmented networks, regular backups—that dramatically reduce risk
- What to ask of vendors and service providers who have access to your data and systems
Extension agents say their goal is to move cybersecurity from a vague worry to a concrete, manageable line item in farm risk management, not an afterthought. NDSU Agriculture
Robotic weeders and smarter agronomy
On the agronomy side, Central Dakota Ag Day will spotlight robotic weeding and advanced disease and weed management:
Key agronomy‑track topics include: NDSU Agriculture
- Robotic weeding concepts and options – where camera‑guided machines and autonomous platforms fit in prairie cropping systems.
- Soybean disease considerations and white mold management in dry beans and soybeans – including fungicide timing and resistance management.
- Sulfur and potassium fertility – are these under‑managed nutrients limiting yields?
- Wheat weed management and maximizing glufosinate activity – timely in a region wrestling with herbicide‑resistant kochia and other problem weeds.
Robotic weeding is drawing particular attention as labor remains tight and herbicide resistance spreads. Early adopters in the Northern Plains have used camera‑guided row units and autonomous carts in high‑value crops; Central Dakota Ag Day will explore what’s realistic for row‑crop and mixed grain systems and how quickly these tools may pencil out for mid‑sized operations. NDSU Agriculture
Livestock sessions: from feed tags to HPAI in cattle
For livestock producers, this year’s program drills into practical management, health and economics. The Jamestown Sun’s coverage of the event highlights how the livestock track focuses on: Jamestown Sun
- Reading and comparing feed tags – led by North Dakota Department of Agriculture feed specialist Jamie Good and NDSU livestock systems specialist Karl Hoppe.
- “When Will Beef Cow Herd Rebuilding Begin?” – with NDSU livestock economist Tim Petry, examining when tighter cattle supplies and high calf prices may finally trigger sustained herd expansion.
- “Is HPAI in Our Cow Herd?” – an update on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and its emerging risks for dairy cattle and beef herds, presented by NDSU Extension veterinarian Dr. Jake (Justin) Galbreath.
- Best practices for using manure on crops and pastures – with NDSU environmental specialist Mary Keena, covering nutrient crediting, runoff risk and regulations.
Organizers stress that these sessions are geared toward immediately usable take‑home tools—from re‑thinking winter rations based on what feed labels really mean to fine‑tuning manure application in tight fertilizer budgets. Jamestown Sun
Bird flu and biosecurity: educational push across North Dakota
Central Dakota Ag Day’s HPAI session comes as NDSU Extension launches a separate series of bird flu prevention meetings around the state in December.
A Jamestown Sun report describes how Dr. Galbreath will lead in‑person evening and afternoon workshops in Ellendale (Dec. 11), LaMoure (Dec. 16), Williston (Dec. 17) and Minot (Dec. 18), walking producers through: Jamestown Sun
- How HPAI spreads among poultry, dairy cattle and people
- Early clinical signs to watch for in flocks and herds
- On‑farm biosecurity and hygiene—for everyone from large integrators to backyard flock owners
- Proper use of personal protective equipment
- Reporting procedures when HPAI is suspected
These sessions, supported by North Dakota Health and Human Services and multiple NDSU units, underscore how biosecurity has become a core business competency for livestock operations, not just a veterinary concern. Jamestown Sun
2026 crop and cattle outlook: high prices, slow rebuilding
Central Dakota Ag Day wraps with a one‑hour general session: “Discipline and Patience: 2026 Crop Market Outlook” by NDSU Extension crops economist Frayne Olson. NDSU Agriculture
While Olson’s full analysis will come on the 19th, recent market commentary provides a backdrop:
- Analysts note that the U.S. beef herd is at its smallest in roughly 70 years, keeping cattle and beef prices at record or near‑record highs. Default
- Multiple outlooks project elevated cattle prices into 2026 and potentially 2027, even as some herd rebuilding begins. FCC
- U.S. supply constraints have opened space for exporters such as Australia, which has rapidly expanded grain‑fed beef output to meet Asian demand and backfill U.S. shortfalls. Reuters
- Biosecurity challenges, including the screwworm outbreak in Mexico that sharply curtailed cross‑border cattle shipments into the U.S., further complicate supply and pricing. The Washington Post
For crop producers, that environment suggests strong but volatile demand for feed grains and ongoing incentives to manage risk with disciplined marketing, crop insurance and diversified rotations—exactly the themes Olson is expected to emphasize.
SDSU Holiday Open: Records, Depth and a Summit League Preview
While North Dakota farmers circle December 19 on their calendars, regional track fans already have a lot to dissect from Friday’s SDSU Holiday Open in Brookings, South Dakota.
The meet doubles as the season opener for several Summit League programs and a de facto preview of the conference’s indoor hierarchy.
Jackrabbits open with a program record
South Dakota State’s home meet delivered an immediate headline: sophomore Lucas Flemmer set a men’s 300‑meter program record, stopping the clock in about 33.5 seconds to win the race and lower the previous school mark held by teammate James Pierce. South Dakota State University Athletics
According to SDSU’s recap, the Jackrabbits piled up more than 20 podium finishes across sprints, distance and field events, including: South Dakota State University Athletics
- A men’s 4×400‑meter relay victory anchored by Flemmer after strong middle legs from freshman teammates.
- An 800‑meter win for Hannah Spoden, followed closely by teammate Lindsey Rotz.
- A mile victory for Sean Murphy and a strong 3,000‑meter showing by Tyler O’Neill behind a Jackrabbit alum.
- A personal‑best weight throw win from senior Ethan Fischer and impressive triple‑ and long‑jump debuts from freshman Ty Nelson and Kincade Lehman.
Head coach Rod DeHaven characterized it as a “great opening meet” for the team, pointing to the 300‑meter school record, relay execution and overall depth as building blocks for the rest of the season. South Dakota State University Athletics
Preseason poll: SDSU chasing NDSU, sharing the spotlight with USD and UND
Just two days before the Holiday Open, the Summit League preseason coaches’ poll underscored how tight the conference race could be: South Dakota State University Athletics
- NDSU men were picked first with five first‑place votes, followed by SDSU in second with two first‑place votes.
- On the women’s side, North Dakota State again topped the poll, with North Dakota second and South Dakota State and South Dakota tied for third.
- Athletes to watch include SDSU’s Cody Larson and James Pierce on the men’s side and Lindsey Rotz and freshman sprinter Chloe Raw for the women, alongside standouts from NDSU, UND and USD.
The Holiday Open results largely reinforced that picture: NDSU and UND showed the strength expected of title contenders, while USD demonstrated event‑winning depth, and SDSU proved that returning champions can reload and still break school records early in the year. South Dakota State University Athletics
NDSU women sweep throws, sprint to top‑10 marks
North Dakota State’s women’s squad made the most noise in the throws and sprints. The Bison:
- Swept the throwing titles, with Riley Quinn and Adison Kapitzke going 1‑2 in the shot put and freshman Grace Steffen winning the weight throw with a mark over 18.5 meters.
- Saw Laney Songster win the 60‑meter hurdles in a personal‑best 8.48 seconds, pushing her into NDSU’s all‑time top‑10 list.
- Logged big early‑season marks from sprinters Paige Renschler (60 meters), Anika Larson (200 meters) and Riika Tirkkonen (300 meters), all of whom placed high and climbed the school’s performance lists. Gobison
The result: the Bison looked every bit like the preseason women’s favorite and reinforced their reputation for developing elite throwers and hurdlers.
UND Fighting Hawks: 23 placements and six new top‑10s
For the University of North Dakota, the SDSU Holiday Open was about depth and progress.
UND’s recap notes that the Hawks: University of North Dakota Athletics
- Placed 23 times and earned six new entries or upgrades on their program top‑10 lists.
- Featured Julia Matthews as runner‑up in the weight throw with a personal best over 18.4 meters and third in the shot put, improving her standing on UND’s record board.
- Reshuffled their women’s 400‑meter top‑10 list with Kimberly Hitchen, Sawyer Timmer and Marta Marksa all posting personal bests and finishing 2‑3‑4 in the event.
- Added strong distance results, including a top‑three men’s 800‑meter finish from Till Woldrich and multiple top‑eight performances in the 5,000 meters.
UND’s early‑season surge aligns with its second‑place women’s preseason ranking and suggests that the Hawks could threaten for podium positions on both sides at the Summit League meet. South Dakota State University Athletics
Coyotes claim 10 wins in Brookings
The University of South Dakota Coyotes made sure the meet wasn’t just a Dakotas‑north showdown.
According to USD’s report, the Coyotes left Brookings with 10 event wins, including: University of South Dakota Athletics
- A long jump and triple jump double from Matayah YellowMule, backed by deep Coyote placings in both events.
- A men’s 60‑meter dash victory from Ethan Baessler, whose 6.72 seconds moves him to second on USD’s all‑time list.
- A hurdles sweep in the men’s 60‑meter hurdles, with Mikael Grace and Jaden Damiano going 1‑2.
- Distance wins in the women’s mile and 3,000 meters, plus a sweep of men’s and women’s high jump and dominant performances in men’s and women’s pole vault.
With strong showings across sprints, jumps and distance, USD reinforced its status as a serious contender despite its “only” third‑place tie in the women’s preseason poll.
What the Holiday Open tells us about the 2025‑26 indoor season
Put together, the SDSU Holiday Open and preseason poll paint a clear early picture: University of South Dakota Athletics
- NDSU remains the team everyone is chasing, particularly in the women’s competition.
- South Dakota State has the firepower—and now a fresh school record—to challenge for men’s and women’s titles again.
- UND is rapidly upgrading its record book, especially in the women’s sprints and distance events.
- USD may be the dark horse with broad event coverage and multiple event winners right out of the gate.
With upcoming meets at the BU Opener in Boston on December 6 and the USD Alumni Meet in January, the data points will continue to accumulate—but the Holiday Open has already set the tone. University of South Dakota Athletics
A December Snapshot of the Dakotas: Data, Discipline and Performance
From Carrington’s meeting rooms to the Sanford‑Jackrabbit Athletic Complex, December 2025 in the Dakotas is about preparation:
- Farmers and ranchers are learning how to defend their operations from cyberattacks, manage disease threats like HPAI, and navigate a high‑price but uncertain cattle and crop market. The Washington Post
- Track and field programs are testing new line‑ups, breaking school records and setting benchmarks for a Summit League season that could be one of the most competitive in years. South Dakota State University Athletics
For producers, Central Dakota Ag Day offers a concentrated download of research‑based, immediately usable information ahead of 2026 decisions. For sports fans, the SDSU Holiday Open is the first real‑world check on preseason hype.
Either way, the message out of the Dakotas this week is the same: those who prepare early—whether in the barn, the field or on the track—will be the ones setting the pace in 2026.
