STURGIS,S.D. – Not everyone gives a lot of thought about where their food, fiber, medicine, cosmetics, auto parts, (and THOUSANDS of other by-products) comes from. But South Dakota ranchers, farmers and specialty growers (along with other producers around the country) sure do.
Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies, and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions that agriculture makes to our lives.
The Agriculture Council of America is celebrating the 42nd National Ag Day on Tuesday, March 18. The day encourages Americans to understand how food, fiber and fuel products are produced and appreciate the role agriculture plays in the economy.
This year’s theme, “Agriculture: Together We Grow,” emphasizes the collaborative efforts of farmers, ranchers, and all stakeholders in the agricultural sector who work tirelessly to provide safe, abundant, and affordable products.
A series of events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., and virtually to mark National Ag Day:
Ag Day Virtual Event: At 8:30 a.m., (ET), a live stream of events from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be available. Details can be found at https://www.agday.org/2025events
Ag Day at USDA: From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (ET) at the USDA Whitten Patio, attendees will hear from invited speakers, including the Secretary of Agriculture, view winning essay contest videos, and participate in a student panel discussion. Zippy Duvall from the Farm Bureau is also scheduled to speak. Detail are available at https://www.agday.org/2025events.
A Celebration of National Ag Day: An evening event from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET) will be held in the Kennedy Caucus Room, SR-325, Russell Senate Office Building, 2 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002.
For states like South Dakota, farmers and ranchers in the state grow soybeans, field corn, wheat, sunflowers, alfalfa, vegetables and other crops. They also raise beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys and sheep.
“Corn is used for practically everything, from plastic to making ethanol to fuel cars,” Travel South Dakota’s agriculture page said. “It even goes in soda. A bushel of corn (about 56 pounds) sweetens 400 cans of soda.”
Agriculture is the number one industry in South Dakota, said the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA released a 2023 state ag overview that stated South Dakota’s livestock inventory includes 3.4 million beef and dairy cattle including calves, 2.3 million hogs, 3 million turkeys and 210,000 sheep.
In 2022, South Dakota generated around $14.7 billion in agricultural cash receipts with the highest valued commodities being corn, cattle and calves, and soybeans.
According to the 2021 Economic Contribution Study of South Dakota Agriculture, Ethanol and Forestry, ag industries in the state contributed roughly $11.7 billion in total value added, $32.1 billion in output sales, $11.6 billion in household income and 129,753 jobs.
The top five commodities produced in South Dakota are corn, cattle and calves, soybeans, wheat, and hogs. South Dakota ranks 6th in corn and soybean production, 2nd in sunflowers, 2nd in honey production, 1st in bison production, 5th in beef cows, 6th in sheep and wool, 9th in hog production, and is the nation’s 4th largest fuel ethanol producer.
“The rankings show South Dakota’s ability to be a leading producer of various crops and livestock and demonstrate the importance of South Dakota to help feed, clothe, and fuel those beyond South Dakota and the U.S.,” the study said.
South Dakota is the 12th largest agricultural exporting state, with top exports including corn, cattle and calves, soybeans, wheat, and hogs.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
South Dakota Agricultural Exports:
South Dakota shipped $5.4 billion in domestic agricultural exports abroad in 2022, making it the 12th largest agricultural exporting state.
The USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture said there are 28,299 farms in South Dakota with an average size of 1,495 acres. The state has over 42 million acres of farmland in total.
The report gathers demographics, financial impacts, livestock inventory, equipment used and other data from farms across the country every five years.
In South Dakota, there are 26,870 male ag producers and 13,839 female ag producers. Producers between the ages of 55 to 75 make up the majority for the state. There are 27,784 white farmers or farmhands, 743 Native American farmers, 240 Hispanic farmers, 34 Asian farmers and 10 black farmers.
More On National Ag Day:
Seven Ways Agriculture Affects Your Daily Life
