Corn Growers to commemorate $1.2 million initiative at SDSU

The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC) will commemorate the final year of a $1.2 million commitment to South Dakota State University with a check presentation at half time of Saturday’s Cereal Bowl football game in Brookings.

“We have a long-standing partnership with our state’s land-grant university,” SDCUC President Chad Blindauer of Mitchell said. “SDSU research has provided sound, scientific answers to agricultural issues for South Dakota producers. The Cereal Bowl is a time to showcase our strong relationship.”

The funds committed by the SDCUC are raised by South Dakota farmers through a corn check-off program. Money is committed to research on agriculture’s carbon footprint and water issues. This year alone, $250,000 is designated specifically for research.

Additional earmarks include $75,000 to the Dakota Lakes Research Farm near Pierre, $80,000 to fund a commodity marketing position at SDSU, and $30,000 in scholarship money for the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences.

In addition, SDCUC also has endowed $2 million toward the dean’s chair at the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences.

South Dakota Corn Growers Association members will celebrate the occasion from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at a tailgating barbecue north of Coughlin Alumni Stadium before the game between South Dakota State University and Southern Utah. The game starts at 6 p.m. and commodity groups will be recognized on the field at half time for their contributions to SDSU.

In addition to the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, other groups to be recognized are the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, South Dakota Oilseeds Council, the South Dakota Wheat Commission and the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association/South Dakota Foundation Seeds.