SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility Expansion Approved by Gov. Rhoden

The $X million expansion will increase the university's swine research and teaching capacity.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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South Dakota State University officials and state lawmakers gathered as South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden signed a bill authorizing the expansion of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility. The $X million addition will expand the university's finishing capacity, allowing it to raise all of the pigs born in the facility through to market and provide more hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Why it matters

The expansion of the SDSU swine facility is a significant investment in the state's pork industry, which is a critical part of the broader South Dakota agriculture economy. The increased research and teaching capacity will help prepare the next generation of producers, veterinarians, and industry professionals, while also providing practical real-world solutions for pork producers in the region.

The details

The current SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility, built in 2016, includes a sow teaching and intensive research building, a wean-to-finish research barn, and an off-site wean-to-finish production barn. The expansion authorized by House Bill 1118 will add finishing capacity, allowing the university to raise all of the pigs born in the facility through to market. This will provide additional opportunities for students and researchers.

  • The bill was signed into law by Gov. Larry Rhoden on February 25, 2026.
  • Groundbreaking on the expansion project is expected to take place this summer.

The players

Larry Rhoden

The governor of South Dakota who signed the bill authorizing the expansion of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility.

Joe Cassady

The SD Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at South Dakota State University.

Glenn Muller

The executive director of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council.

Jay Esser

The president of the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council.

South Dakota State University

The public university in Brookings, South Dakota that operates the Swine Education and Research Facility.

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What they’re saying

“This addition to the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility expands our research capacity, improves the efficiency of our operations and increases learning opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students.”

— Joe Cassady, SD Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (americanagnetwork.com)

“The expansion of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility is a significant step forward for both students and the pork industry across the region. This investment will give students more hands-on experience, which helps prepare them as the next generation of producers, veterinarians and industry professionals.”

— Glenn Muller, Executive Director, South Dakota Pork Producers Council (americanagnetwork.com)

“South Dakota's pork producers are valued partners of our state's corn farmers, and strengthening that partnership starts with continued investment in research and innovation. The proposed expansion to the South Dakota State University Swine Education and Research Facility — approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Larry Rhoden today — represents an important step forward for our state's agricultural future.”

— Jay Esser, President, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (americanagnetwork.com)

What’s next

The project will move forward with a groundbreaking this summer, with the expansion expected to be completed in the coming years.

The takeaway

The expansion of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility is a significant investment in the state's pork industry, which will provide more hands-on learning opportunities for students and help drive innovation and practical solutions for pork producers across the region.