About DAR
Dakota Ag Research was founded in 2023 by long-time colleagues and friends Travis Miller and Tate Colwell.
Located in Brandon, South Dakota, DAR offers corn breeding and yield trial services. They feature an irrigated breeding nursery near Brandon and multiple yield trial locations throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
With over 30 years of combined experience dedicated to corn research, Tate and Travis are committed to providing their clients with outstanding service and top-quality data.
DAR's DYNAMIC DUO
Travis graduated from South Dakota State University in 1998 with a degree in Agronomy. He then spent 15 years as a corn research associate for Garst and BASF Plant Science.
In 2013, CRD Advisors hired him to establish and manage a new research station in Sleepy Eye, MN. Six years later Farmer’s Business Network (FBN) acquired the company and moved operations, along with its testing footprint, further west to Brandon, SD.
In 2023, FBN closed their research department and Dakota Ag Research was born. Throughout his career, Travis has remained focused on delivering top-tier data. His dedication and love for corn research continues to thrive.
Tate attended North Dakota State University and worked in the plant sciences department before earning a degree in Agronomy from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2017. After graduating, he interned with Pioneer Hi-Bred Research in Janesville, WI.
In the fall of 2017, CRD Advisors hired him as a corn research associate where he continued to work through the company’s transition to FBN and the shift into Brandon, SD.
In 2023, FBN closed their research department and Dakota Ag Research opened their doors. Tate continues to pursue his passion for corn and agriculture, while committing himself to data integrity and the continued success of DAR's clients.
Travis Miller
Tate Colwell
Co-Founder
Co-Founder
Travis and Tate handled the nursery and yield trial activities for the corn breeding program I was in charge of during the last two years. Both the quality and timeliness of their work were excellent. They showed great organizational skills and were meticulous in planning and executing all activities. As I was not located in Brandon, it was important for me to be able to rely on their expertise. I could always trust that they were going to take excellent care of the nursery and yield trial plots without my direct involvement. They made sure the way in which things were handled and notes that were collected were tailored to my needs and consistently showed a very high level of professionalism. I very much hope I will have the opportunity to use their services again in the future.
Yielding Results
Jon Popi
Corn Breeder
Farmers Business Network
