NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center

04/24/2026

The 2026 Dakota Meat Goat Buck Performance Test at Hettinger Research Center, North Dakota, will evaluate bucks on post-weaning growth, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics to help drive breed improvement.

May 31 to September 5th, 2026.

As an ABGA-approved Performance Test, bucks can earn points towards Ennoblement, Sire of Merit, or Doe of Excellence!

Registration is now live for the 2026 Dakota Meat Goat Test.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/research-extension-centers-recs/hettinger-rec/dakota-goat-test

04/15/2026

A few spots left! Register by May 1st!

Join us May 11th-13th for Sheep & Goat NSIP Carcass Ultrasound Certification School! Spots are limited so don't wait to register!

Certification on May 13th is also open to technicians previously certified in any livestock species looking to renew or establish their small ruminant NSIP certification.

Register Now at: www.ndsu.ag/carcassschool

04/06/2026

NEW‼️ Inaugural Dakota Feeder Lamb Project - NOW OPEN for Producer Consignments

From the Feedlot to the Rail: Terminal, progeny-based performance evaluation, giving you the data you need to make stronger genetic decisions. As a terminal performance test, sire-grouped lambs will be tracked from intake through harvest in collaboration with the NDSU Meat Lab, giving you a complete look at how your genetics perform from growth to end-product value.

As part of the ongoing research into improving lamb carcass uniformity and selection for disease resiliency, this project will also investigate the role of sire genetics might play in feeder lamb growth performance and health and how these factors translate to end-product uniformity on the rail.

Contact Rachel or Travis for more information on this new opportunity! Full registration and guidelines are available at: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/research-extension-centers-recs/hettinger-rec/dakota-ram-test

04/02/2026

Registration is now live for the 2026 Summer Dakota Ram Test!

Check out this awesome opportunity to collect some performance data on your ram lambs before the sale season! Visit the link below or contact Rachel at 701-567-4323 or [email protected] for more information.

https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/research-extension-centers-recs/hettinger-rec/dakota-ram-test

04/02/2026

REGISTRATION IS LIVE! Contact Rachel to reserve your spot; Specific buck information is not due until May 24th! Limited to 200 bucks!
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/research-extension-centers-recs/hettinger-rec/dakota-goat-test

Save the Date!!

We are excited to announce that the 2nd Annual Dakota Meat Goat Buck Performance Test is scheduled to begin on May 31st, 2026. This program, held at the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center in Hettinger, ND, provides a unique opportunity to evaluate your buck kids' post-weaning growth performance and carcass quality under standardized conditions.

What you'll gain:
🟩Detailed information on buck growth performance.
🟨Valuable data to expand your selection criteria.

Open to ALL meat goat breeds and breeders nationwide! This is a fantastic opportunity to compare your genetics to others under the same conditions.

Registration details will be made available at a later date. To be eligible to consign, bucks must be born between 1/1/2026 and 2/15/2026.

Contact Rachel Gibbs, NDSU Livestock Extension Specialist, at 701-567-4323 to learn more about the 2026 Dakota Meat Goat Test! For the most up-to-date information, please visit: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/research-extension-centers-recs/hettinger-rec/dakota-goat-test

03/25/2026

We are Hiring!
For more information and to apply www.NDSU.ag/AgTech

03/23/2026

We are Hiring!
For more information and to apply www.NDSU.ag/Mandan

03/20/2026

Join us May 11th-13th for Sheep & Goat NSIP Carcass Ultrasound Certification School! Spots are limited so don't wait to register!

Certification on May 13th is also open to technicians previously certified in any livestock species looking to renew or establish their small ruminant NSIP certification.

Register Now at: www.ndsu.ag/carcassschool

03/18/2026

🌻 We are hiring! 🌻
If you are interested in working in agronomy this summer give John Rickertsen a call- 701-567-4323 or email [email protected]

03/17/2026

2025 Dakota Fall Ram Test-
Final Results from the 2025 Dakota Fall Ram Test can be found on our webpage:

Hettinger Research Extension Center Dakota Ram Test Information & Results

03/05/2026

The NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center welcomes Sherly as our seventeenth University of Puerto Rico small ruminant intern. This program was implemented to bring Animal Science students from the University of Puerto Rico to the HREC to gain experience in sheep production.

03/04/2026

Congratulations to Troy Ness, Farm Manager, and Dave Pearson, Shepherd at the NDSU Hettinger REC for receiving the NDSU College of Ag Core Values Award. The Core Values Award recognizes NDSU Agriculture employees through nominations from their peers at NDSU to highlight their contributions to the mission of the College. Both Dave and Troy deserve this recognition for their hard work "running the ranch" at the HREC. Thanks to both of them for their dedicated service to NDSU.