PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota lawmakers want to pass legislation aimed at protecting the Black Hills. SB 21 would create a full-time position within the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources who would be tasked with working with “forest stakeholders” to “manage the Black Hills National Forest.” South Dakota lawmakers want to see more involvement […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The number two person of the USDA announced today,she is stepping away from her role as the Deputy Secretary in the coming weeks. Citing a desire to have more time with family, USDA Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh released a statement on her decision. “It is with mixed emotions that today I am announcing […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The road to mandatory labeling of domestic beef is long and winding with more than one dead end. A new Congress is always another opportunity to bring legislation that is popular out in the country and with consumers but not so much with Washington lawmakers where a needed majority has failed to […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Egg prices are up more than 130% from year ago levels, and a U.S. farm group is asking the Federal Trade Commission to look into the high prices of eggs and possible price gouging. Farm Action, a farmer-led advocacy organization that sent a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan to share their […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – In an effort to help South Dakotans struggling with increased grocery costs, South Dakota Farmers Union partnered with Farmers Union Enterprises to donate 35,000 pounds of pork to Feeding South Dakota. “Family farmers and ranchers are not immune to increased grocery prices. Like everyone else, our food costs have gone up, […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The monthly COF report confirmed the continuing decline in placements and on feed numbers. Placements were down 8% from December 2021 with the usual holiday related slowdown in placements amplified by winter storms in most of the major feeding areas that canceled sales events and limited livestock movement. Tighter numbers caused by […]

PIERRE — The lack of any sign-ups for a multimillion-dollar water quality program is evidence that agricultural operations need even more incentives to keep waste out of waterways, according to the leader of the state’s environmental regulatory agency. Hunter Roberts is the secretary of the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He briefed the House […]

PIERRE, SD – Governor Kristi Noem and legislators announced legislation to preserve agriculture. “Agriculture is by far our state’s largest industry, accounting for one out of every five jobs in South Dakota. We need to preserve it,” said Noem. “When agriculture operations are attacked with frivolous claims, it can delay development and increase costs for […]

BILLINGS, MT – Long-time opponent to USDA’s continued efforts to mandate electronic identification of cattle, Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA CEO said the agency’s Thursday announcement is intended to serve the trade interests of the multinational beef packers by protecting them from having to pay higher prices for cattle as occurred following the BSE-related trade restrictions […]

NEW ORLEANS, LA – During this year’s American Sheep Industry Association’s annual convention in New Orleans, there was a lot of excitement about American wool. The American Sheep Industry Association’s Rita Kourlis-Samuelson explains some of the efforts ASI is doing to build demand for that high-quality U.S. wool clip. “We do export quite a bit […]