Dakotafest auction on Aug. 23 supports new cow/calf research unit

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BROOKINGS — In South Dakota, auctions serve as more than a marketing event - they are a venue where people reconnect, ideas are exchanged and during the 2012 Dakotafest, an auction will raise funds for the construction of a new Cow/Calf Research and Teaching Unit at South Dakota State University.

“This auction will allow supporters of South Dakota’s cattle industry to participate in raising the needed funds for a facility which provides valuable research data and learning opportunities for students and stakeholders,” said Dr. Cody Wright, professor of animal science.

The auction will be held Aug. 23 at 1 p.m., in the Northwest Veterinary Supply tent.

This spring, the current SDSU Cow/Calf Unit, which is located on campus in Brookings was damaged by fire and is in need of updates to meet the industry’s needs for research, development and student training.

Land for the new facility has been purchased 10 miles from campus. The process is currently underway to select an architect of record for the project and to initiate the final design process. The state-of-the-art facility will be built on 640-acres and will include; indoor calving and working facilities, a wet lab, meeting space and a nutritional research barn.

One of only a few facilities like it in the nation, Wright says the facility will be used by researchers, students and producers for research and educational purposes to strengthen the South Dakota cattle industry.

Large animal veterinarian, Dave Barz, is a strong supporter of the new cow/calf unit.

“This cow/calf unit is the future of South Dakota’s cattle industry,” says Barz, who has worked with South Dakota cattle producers since 1974, and is a partner in Northwest Vet Supply, Parkston. “This is a dynamic industry. Changes happen rapidly, and it takes units like this to research what works in South Dakota.”

The 2011 auction raised more than $76,000 for the new facility. To give even more supporters an opportunity to contribute, this year’s auction will also be online, says Donnie Leddy, co-chair of the auction committee.

“South Dakota’s livestock community and SDSU family encompasses a large demographic. Not everyone can be in Mitchell on the 21st, so we’re working with DVAuctions so people can participate in a real-time auction online,” Leddy said.

More information on how to access the online auction will be made available closer to the date and on iGrow.org.

Donations to the auction are tax deductible. To donate items or services to the auction, contact Dr. Cody Wright (605-688-5448 or cody.wright@sdstate.edu) or Mike Barber at the SDSU Foundation (888-747-SDSU or mike.barber@sdsufoundation.org).

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