Ira Parsons

Ira Parsons is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at South Dakota State University (SDSU), based at the SDSU West River Ag Center in Rapid City, SD. His research focuses on integrating precision technologies with livestock management to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and environmental stewardship in grazing systems.

Key research interests include precision livestock technologies (e.g., virtual fencing, accelerometers, and automated weighing systems), grazing behavior analysis, enteric emissions reduction, and optimizing feed efficiency in cattle. His work bridges ecological theory with practical applications, aiming to improve cattle performance and rangeland resource management.

Recent publications highlight advancements in API-driven data automation for livestock monitoring, the impact of virtual fencing on steer behavior, and methodologies for real-time tracking of animal growth. He explores how machine learning and sensor technologies can categorize cattle behavior and predict feed efficiency patterns.

Parsons collaborates on projects involving wearable biometric sensors, remote sensing for animal health, and statistical models to predict grazing patterns. His research also addresses challenges in sampling density and landscape complexity to improve resource availability modeling in extensive rangelands.