STURGIS, S.D. – Connecting conservation-minded agriculture producers with incentive-based grant and private-market sustainability programs is the focus of AgSpire’s SustainAg Network.
A panel discussion set for Friday, June 21, 2024, ahead of the 2024 South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation Prime Time Gala the following day, will inform ranchers and farmers of the increasing opportunities for premiums, incentives, and cost-shares linked to sustainability practices.
Ryan Eichler is the director of producer programs with AgSpire. He raises cattle near Lake Preston, S.D.
“For the most part it’s relatively new to a lot of folks,” said Eichler. “Our aim with the Sustainability Panel is to bring together folks who are influential in the beef supply chain; who can give other ranchers and farmers good insight as to what the future of sustainability looks like, followed by conversations between producers and panel members. We’re very excited about the event.”
For many ranchers and farmers, achieving sustainability through conservation practices isn’t a new concept. So what makes AgSpire different?
“What’s different today is that there are incentives for producers in the market place that haven’t been available in the past,” shared Eichler. “What we’re really excited about is to bring ranchers and farmers the opportunity to extract value for the really good things they do.”
He continued, “And to really tell a very positive story through the people who sell our product. It’s an exciting time and one we can take advantage of and really start to be rewarded for being good stewards of the land.”
Eichler says while there are state and federal programs available to producers, many are focused on those who are just beginning a conservation plan. And also that don’t connect producers with private market sustainability programs. He says AgSpire goes further.
“We pride ourselves on being very producer focused. All of the programs we offer through our SustainAg Network are voluntary and incentive based,” he explained. “It’s a very diverse set of programs that pay producers for practices such as regenerative seedings, cover crops, perennial forages or grasses.”
During the “Making Sense of Sustainability” Panel Discussion that begins at 4:30p.m. (CT), June 21 at the Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel Convention Center, industry experts representing different sectors of the beef supply chain will discuss opportunities, the benefits to cattle operations, and the impact on the industry as a whole.
“The panel is comprised of some unique participants in the beef supply chain,” Eichler said. “Ranchers and farmers are getting approached with different opportunities to participate in sustainability programs, from regenerative feeding practices to farm tillage, to rotational grazing; things of that nature. There is a big demand in the beef supply chain, from some of the largest food companies in the U.S., that are paying ranchers and farmers to participate in these programs.
The “Making Sense of Sustainability,” Panel Discussion will be moderated by Jared Knock, who raises cattle, crops and forages near Willow Lake, S.D., and who is also a Co-Founder and Vice President of Business Development at AgSpire.
Panel presenters include rancher Brady Wulf, Clear Springs Cattle Company, Starbuck, Minnesota, Don Gales, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Friona Industries the second-largest cattle feeder in the U.S., Tim Hardman, Global Sustainability Director at Fulton Marketing Group, one of the nation’s largest beef supply chain management companies
For more information on the free panel discussion including presenters and registration, go to www.AgSpire.com
