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SDPB Radio Coverage of the South Dakota Legislature. See all coverage and find links to audio and video streams live from the Capitol at www.sdpb.org/statehouse

Senate Approves Appropriation for SDSU Swine Facilities

South Dakota State University’s swine research facilities will get an upgrade, pending the approval of Governor Dennis Daugaard. State Senators approved House Bill 1112 Tuesday, which gives the facilities more than two million dollars in general funds and one million from the higher education teaching fund. The measure also authorizes the use of almost two point five million dollars from donations.

Senator Larry Tidemann says many of the swine facilities are old and outdated. He says SDSU’s program has almost doubled within the last few years because it attracts students from other states.

“Minnesota private individuals, and the pork council, and the soybeans have contributed towards this swine unit. Iowa pork council has contributed toward this swine unit, individuals within the state have contributed. Why are they not contributing in Minnesota and Iowa? Well, it’s come out that they’re not going to do a lot of research in swine at Minnesota and Iowa, so South Dakota can become the regional center for swine research,” Tidemann says.

Other supporters of the legislation say any state investment in research is good for the whole community and significant for the state’s economy. House Bill 1112 passes the Senate 31 to 4 and now heads to the Governor.