South Dakota

South Dakota State University researchers lead the charge against new turkey virus threat

Published

1 month ago

December 23, 2024

South Dakota State University researchers lead the charge against new turkey virus threat

BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State University’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory is taking a leading role in combating a new strain of avian metapneumovirus, a virus that is causing significant economic loss to the United States poultry industry.

Avian metapneumovirus, or aMPV, is an upper respiratory tract viral infection that affects all types of poultry but is most harmful to turkeys. The virus is divided into four different subgroups: A, B, C or D. While each subgroup can be found in different parts of the world, the U.S. has previously only experienced outbreaks of subgroup C.

In January 2024, SDSU researchers became the first in the U.S. to identify the first known case of aMPV subgroup B after testing a sample from an outbreak in a North Carolina turkey flock. Since then, the virus has continued to spread throughout the United States, wreaking havoc for poultry breeders across the country.

Sunil Mor, assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at South Dakota State University and section lead for virology at SDSU’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory.

Kennedy Tesch / Agweek

“A and B, were worldwide in Europe, South America and Asia, but never detected in the U.S.,” said Sunil Mor, assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at South Dakota State University and section lead for virology at SDSU’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. “First time introduction of the subgroups A and B in the U.S., it’s a huge economic impact, especially on the turkey industry. The breeders are seeing up to 80% to 90% reduction in egg production.”

In Minnesota, which is home to a major portion of U.S. turkey production, the virus has made a significant impact. Ashley Kohls, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, said the Association started conducting surveillance on the virus last spring. From April to June, they found that nearly 100% of the turkey flocks in the state of Minnesota were impacted by aMPV.

Ashley Kohls, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.

“It’s unfortunate, and it’s massive,” Kohls said. “In addition to commercial turkeys or the meat birds, our breeder flocks are negatively impacted as well. For breeder birds, they have a significant reduction in the amount of eggs that they lay. Anytime you have breeder flocks impacted, there’s ripple effects, obviously, through the entire industry — less eggs, less poults, less birds, less turkey. It’s kind of been a rolling compound effect. There’s less baby poults, but then there’s also less birds coming out on the back end because of sick flocks.”

While the virus continues to cause issues for poultry producers, researchers at SDSU’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory are working around the clock. Their quick identification of the virus was a game-changer.

“I remember the first meeting Dr. Mor confirmed that it was subtype B, people were actually not even able to believe that,” said Tamer Sharafeldin, an assistant professor Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at South Dakota State University and veterinary pathologist at SDSU’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. “But, within a week, the USDA confirmed that as well, and that was actually a leading discovery for South Dakota State University.”

With the virus confirmed, SDSU researchers pivoted to focus on vaccine development. They are currently working on three types of vaccines: a killed vaccine, a live attenuated vaccine, and a vector vaccine. The killed vaccine is the quickest to develop, as researchers can isolate the virus, inactivate it, and then test its safety and efficacy.

“We have isolated the virus, so we just inactivate it, test the safety potency, and then get the USDA approval to give it to the birds,” Mor explained.

The team is also working to improve diagnostic tools, however, vaccine development remains the highest priority.

“The process is not going to happen in a day or two. It’s going to take some time. We are actually competing with time to be able to achieve this,” Sharafeldin said. “We have produced the weakened virus — that’s number one. Number two, we are starting to establish the baseline needed for vaccine safety and efficacy.”

Tamer Sharafeldin, an assistant professor Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at South Dakota State University and veterinary pathologist at SDSU’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory.

SDSU’s leadership in identifying the virus and developing solutions is vital not only for South Dakota but for the entire U.S. poultry industry.

“There’s a rapid need to develop vaccines for both the breeder flocks but also commercial turkey flocks as well. Developing that vaccine domestically will take some time, but there are a lot of folks working around the clock to make that happen,” Kohls said.

“South Dakota State University is not only the university that serves South Dakota citizens, it’s a university that leads research that would help the whole U.S. poultry industry in different states as well as it plays a very important role to enhance the U.S. economy,” Sharafeldin added.

Kennedy is a reporter for Agweek based out of South Dakota. She grew up on an organic crop farm where her family also raises cattle in eastern South Dakota. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 2023 with a major in agricultural communication and minor in agricultural business. She enjoys connecting with producers and agribusinesses across the region while reporting on all things agriculture.

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South Dakota

SDSU Takes Down South Dakota in Saturday Showdowns

Published

11 hours ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

SDSU Takes Down South Dakota in Saturday Showdowns

Anytime South Dakota and South Dakota State get together for a rivalry matchup, its must see action for those that call our great state home.

That was the case on Saturday, when both Men’s and Women’s hoops collided.

First, the Women took to the court down in Vermillion, where SDSU dominated to the tune of a 77-59 win.

Later in the afternoon, the Men’s programs locked horns up in Brookings, where the Jackrabbits prevailed in a 90-71 onslaught.

Per GoJacks.com:

A balanced scoring effort lifted the Jackrabbits as seven players scored at least six points each. Brooklyn Meyer and Haleigh Timmer paced the offense with 15 apiece, followed by Mesa Byom with 13 and Katie Vasecka with 12. Paige Meyer and Madison Mathiowetz finished with eight each, followed by Emilee Fox with six.
SDSU got six quick points from Byom and opened up an 11-4 lead over the Coyotes in the first 4:30 on action. A 16-0 stretch that included eight straight from Mathiowetz stretched the score to 27-8 late in the opening quarter. The Coyotes scored nine straight in the second period to pull back within seven, but a Vasecka triple made it a 10-point game again and the Coyotes never got back within single digits. A 17-2 start to the second half made it 65-38 for the Jacks and the visitors cruised from there.

As for the Men’s game:

South Dakota State controlled its matchup against South Dakota from the opening possession as the Jackrabbits earned a 90-71 victory over the Coyotes on Saturday, Jan. 25, in First Bank & Trust Arena. The Interstate Series game, presented by First Interstate Bank, was played in front of a facility-record 4,764 spectators.
South Dakota State improved to 14-8 overall and 5-2 in conference play. South Dakota dropped to 12-10 (3-4).
The Jackrabbits had five double-digit scorers in the contest. Garry led all scorers with 19 points while he grabbed a career-best nine boards. Larson and Stoney Hadnot scored career highs of 18 and 14, respectively. Oscar Cluff finished off his 14th double-double of the season with 11 points and 14 rebounds, to go along with a career-high seven assists. Mors registered 10 points.
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The two programs will meet again later this season. The Women tussle on Saturday, February 15th in Brookings, while the Men’s programs collide in Vermillion that Sunday, February 16th.

Source: GoJacks

Recent Dakota Marker History Between NDSU and SDSU

Gallery Credit: Bert Remien

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South Dakota

SDSU defeats USD in first matchup at First Bank & Trust Arena

Published

19 hours ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

SDSU defeats USD in first matchup at First Bank & Trust Arena

BROOKINGS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota State controlled its matchup against South Dakota from the opening possession as the Jackrabbits earned a 90-71 victory over the Coyotes on Saturday, Jan. 25, in First Bank & Trust Arena. The Interstate Series game, presented by First Interstate Bank, was played in front of a facility-record 4,764 spectators.

SDSU’s Owen Larson connected on a 3-pointer less than 30 seconds into the clash. A Kalen Garry layup and another Larson trey put the Jackrabbits ahead 8-0 with just over two minutes off the clock. South Dakota cut the margin to 10-5 at the 16:50 mark of the first half, but a Garry 3-pointer on the Jackrabbits’ ensuing possession thwarted any opportunity for the Yotes.

A Matthew Mors 3-pointer pushed the SDSU advantage to 19-7 with 14:38 remaining in the first half. The Jackrabbit lead wouldn’t dip into single digits again.

An Isaac Lindsey 3-pointer pushed SDSU ahead to 37-15, the Jackrabbits’ largest advantage of the first half, with 6:27 to play in the opening 20 minutes. South Dakota State eventually went into halftime up 49-32.

USD continued its attempt to rally back. A pair of Quandre Bullock free throws cut the Coyote deficit to 12, 57-45, with 14:23 to go. The Jackrabbits halted any comeback at that point, pushing the edge back to 20-plus points just under the nine-minute mark.

Garry drained a 3-pointer to give SDSU its largest lead of the game of 25 points with 3:12 remaining. South Dakota State emptied its bench for the rest of the contest as the Jacks went on to complete a 19-point victory over the Coyotes.

South Dakota State improved to 14-8 overall and 5-2 in conference play. South Dakota dropped to 12-10 (3-4).

The Jackrabbits had five double-digit scorers in the contest. Garry led all scorers with 19 points while he grabbed a career-best nine boards. Larson and Stoney Hadnot scored career highs of 18 and 14, respectively. Oscar Cluff finished off his 14th double-double of the season with 11 points and 14 rebounds, to go along with a career-high seven assists. Mors registered 10 points.

South Dakota, the nation’s fifth-highest-scoring offense averaging over 86 points per game, was held to 71. The Yotes had three players score 11 points and two record 10 apiece. Mayuom Byom had a team-high seven rebounds.

NOTES:

South Dakota State made five of its first six three 3-pointers. The Jacks were eventually 12 of 31 (38.7%) from 3-point range while they held the Yotes to a 4-for-24 clip (16.7%). SDSU also outshot USD 48-38% from the field.
The Jackrabbits had a 49-31 rebounding edge as well as a 15-6 difference in assists.
South Dakota State has now won 18 of 20 in Brookings against South Dakota during the 21st century. The Jackrabbits have won nine consecutive games in the Interstate Series. That span is tied for the longest between the two programs since a nine-game win streak for SDSU during a stretch between the years 1920-23.
The 4,764 fans are the most for an event ever in First Bank & Trust Arena. In the midst of its inaugural year of events, the previously facility high was 4,582 when the South Dakota State women’s basketball team hosted Duke earlier this season.

UP NEXT: The Jackrabbits go on the road for two consecutive games. SDSU opens up a road trip north on I-29 by taking on North Dakota State in Fargo on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m.

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South Dakota

SD reactions to Kristi Noem’s confirmation as DHS Secretary, Larry Rhoden becoming Governor

Published

1 day ago

January 25, 2025

Press Room

SD reactions to Kristi Noem’s confirmation as DHS Secretary, Larry Rhoden becoming Governor

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – After a confirmation hearing that was civil and less contentious than other recent hearings, it seemed all but a guarantee that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s nomination would be confirmed. That became a reality on Saturday with a favorable 59-34 vote that even received approval from seven Democrats.

It took Senate Republicans breaking a filibuster to get it done, but an early morning vote made Kristi Noem just the second South Dakotan to be selected for a Presidential cabinet position.

In her confirmation hearing, Noem promised to work on making America safer by securing the southern border and combatting terrorism.

“As we face the evolving threats of the 21st century, the mission and the success of DHS is more critical than ever,” Noem said on January 17th. “We must be vigilant and proactive and innovative to protect the homeland.”

Many South Dakotans like U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson congratulated Noem on the new position.

“I’ve seen Kristi make good decisions in times of adversity and disaster, and I know she will continue to showcase her strong South Dakota work ethic in her new role,” Representative Johnson said on X.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune also shared praise for Noem.

“I know she’s ready to get to work for President Trump and the American people,” Senator Thune shared on X.

On social media, Senator Mike Rounds wished Noem the best and said, “South Dakota is punching above its weight, a true testament to our people.”

Following her confirmation, Noem herself took to social media to thank President Donald Trump for his confidence in her and repeated he promise to work on making America safe.

Her resignation letter soon followed and with that Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden officially became the 34th Governor of South Dakota as anticipated. In a release, he shared insights about his transition.

“Until now, I have kept my extensive preparations for this succession to myself,” said Governor Rhoden. “I would have loved to have spoken openly sooner, but the time was not yet appropriate. South Dakotans should rest assured that I’m ready to serve as your Governor.”

Many officials congratulated the new Governor. South Dakota Attorney General shared his connection to Rhoden in a release.

“I have known Larry since he welded our ranch branding irons more than a quarter of a century ago, and I have appreciated serving with him during the years,” Jackley said. “As Attorney General, I look forward to continuing to work with him to make our State the best in the Nation.”

Representative Johnson also congratulated the Governor and praised his character.

“Larry has a proven record of serving our state. I trust he will do a great job leading and I look forward to working with him to keep South Dakota great.”

Governor Rhoden also posted a heartfelt reflection on assuming the new role on X.

Friday was my last day presiding over the South Dakota Senate as Lt. Governor and Senate President. A few of my grandkids made it out to celebrate!
I am grateful for the honor to serve as Governor, and I will cherish my memories of serving in our legislative chambers. pic.twitter.com/g7Cyfoql2L
— Governor Larry Rhoden (@GovLarryRhoden) January 25, 2025
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Rhoden said he held months of briefings and meetings with Noem and many other current and former state officials in preparation for the new title. They began to plan this succession shortly after President Trump nominated Noem in November.

While Rhoden officially became Governor per the South Dakota constitution right away, details on the succession and swearing-in ceremony have yet to be announced.

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