I visited the research lab at SDSU! 🚀🐂

From February 2 to 15, 2025, I had the opportunity to visit Dr.Hector’s laboratory at South Dakota State University (SDSU) to observe their research activities. Dr.Hector’s lab is dedicated to developing sustainable management technologies in the livestock sector, conducting highly intriguing research.

At a bison ranch, I observed the use of GreenFeed for feeding and greenhouse gas measurements. GreenFeed is a device that measures methane emissions when animals consume feed, providing valuable data to help reduce livestock greenhouse gas emissions. As climate change mitigation becomes increasingly important, the advancement of such technologies will be crucial in the future.

At Cottonwood, one of SDSU’s research farms, studies on beef cattle management were being conducted. Research utilizing virtual fencing, a technology that has gained attention in recent years, was also underway. Virtual fencing allows for the management of animal movement using GPS and sensors without the need for physical fences. This technology has the potential to improve grazing efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Although virtual fencing is not yet widely adopted in Japan, it is an exciting field with significant future potential.

I also had the privilege of learning from Dr.Ira, who is conducting research on utilizing cattle location data in pastures. By analyzing GPS data, he studies cattle movement patterns and optimizes grazing management. This research is expected to contribute to improved livestock health monitoring and grazing efficiency.

This visit provided me with a valuable opportunity to learn about the forefront of sustainable livestock management. Research on greenhouse gas measurement using GreenFeed, virtual fencing, and cattle positioning technologies all have great potential to contribute to the future of the livestock industry. I sincerely appreciate Dr.Hector, Dr.Ira, and everyone at SDSU for their hospitality! Moving forward, I aim to incorporate these cutting-edge technologies into my own research and continue learning about innovative livestock management methods.