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Categories:Grassroots Policy Set by Farmers & Ranchers for Farmers & Ranchers
HURON, S.D. – Most family farmers and ranchers need a second job. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 89.6 percent do not earn the majority of their income from their agriculture operations. A motivating fact if ever there was one, said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack in his March 1 […]
Read MoreSD Farmers Union Urges Senators to Stop the Merger & Support Senate Resolution of Disapproval 901
South Dakota farmers and ranchers opposed to merging the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have one more chance thanks to Senate Resolution of Disapproval 901. If passed, Senate Resolution of Disapproval 901 would not allow Governor Kristi Noem’s executive order to go into effect. This would be a […]
Read MoreSDFU President Calls for Repeal & Replace of Fuel Economy Rule to Include Octane and Higher Ethanol Blends
Speaking at the National Farmers Union National Convention February 26, 2021, South Dakota Chapter President Doug Sombke said ethanol advocates need to prioritize support for a high octane standard in the new fuel economy rule that could triple demand for ethanol over the next decade. Sombke and NFU are spearheading a “Repeal & Replace” campaign […]
Read MoreFarmers Union National Convention Speakers Say Market Consolidation Costs Farmers, Ranchers & Consumers
Impacts of market consolidation on farmers and ranchers was the focus of Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar’s February 26 presentation to producers during the 2021 National Farmers Union Virtual Convention. “Farmers are paying a lot more, but not getting a lot more,” Klobuchar said. She shared that this is largely due to market consolidation – noting […]
Read MoreAgriculture Community Pulls Together to Support Ranchers Impacted by Windy Fire
By Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers Union A day after the Windy Fire consumed more than 2000 acres of owned and leased winter and spring pastureland, and 1500 round bales on the Ham Ranch, friends, neighbors and even some strangers began showing up ready to fence. “They came for a week straight. A bunch […]
Read MoreCattle Markets May Be in for An Upswing Predicts Ag Economist
By Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers Union You know current agriculture markets are unique when a seasoned agriculture economist refers to them as “fluid and strange.” That’s exactly how Mike Pearson, anchor of This Week in Agribusiness described current markets when he addressed South Dakota producers during a February 9 webinar hosted by South […]
Read MoreFarmers Union Enterprises Donates 35,000 Pounds of Pork Ribs to Feeding South Dakota
Farmers Union Enterprises teamed up with South Dakota Farmers Union to donate 35,000 pounds of pork ribs to Feeding South Dakota. “COVID-19 continues to impact jobs and many South Dakota families continue to see their grocery budget shrink. We see this as a way to help,” explains Doug Sombke, President of Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE). […]
Read MoreCOVID-19 Impacts S.D. Farmers Union Families
by Lura Roti When the COVID-19 pandemic began closing schools and businesses in March, South Dakota Farmers Union members had just arrived home from the organization’s 118th National Convention Held March 1-3 in Savannah, Ga. Throughout the months to follow, articles in the Union Farmer covered how this pandemic devastated our livestock industry and illuminated […]
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