South Dakota Union Farmer - April 2014

Volume XCVII, NO. 4

Huron, SD

Apr. 2014

South Dakota

Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

FARMERS UNION MEMBERS TRAVEL TO CHILI AND PERU

NFU MEMBER PROFILE: CONVENTION DALLAS TONSAGER PAGE 10 PAGE 3

PAGE 8

A Victory for Country-of-Origin (COOL) Labeling South Dakota Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke issued the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reaffirmed the District Court’s ruling denying a preliminary injunction on the implementation of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations.

“The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia continues to illustrate that South Dakota Farmers Union and National Farmers Union are on the right side of COOL,” said Sombke. “Our livestock producers have long advocated for COOL and have been supportive of this process from the start.

We truly believe that our consumers have the right to know where their food comes from.”

This decision is the latest setback for plaintiffs who filed the case in an effort to have the revised COOL regulations invalidated. The

case was filed on July 8, 2013, by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Meat Institute, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Pork Council, North American Meat Association, American Association of Meat Processors, National Pork Producers Council, Southwest Meat Association and Mexico’s National Confederation of Livestock Organizations.

“We have faced strong opposition from the packer-producer groups and foreign competitors who continue to challenge COOL’s constitutionality,” Sombke said. “Today is another step in the right direction for the independent livestock producers of our great country.”

National Farmers Union, with the support and encouragement from South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU), along with the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, American Sheep Industry Associa-

tion and the Consumer Federation of America, became intervenors in the lawsuit on Aug. 19, when the court entered an order granting their motion to intervene in full, permitting the groups to participate in the preliminary injunction hearing as well as the remainder of the litigation.

Today’s ruling affirms a Sept. 11, 2013, decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that also denied the request for a preliminary injunction. As a result of today’s decision, the revised COOL regulations will remain in place while the case is pending.

COOL was first enacted in the 2002 Farm Bill and the United States Department of Agriculture implemented the final rules for COOL on December 11, 2013 that provide customers with information about where their meat was born, raised and harvested. ■

Sec. of Agriculture Addresses National Farmers Union Convention “We do it because we care about every farmer.

We care about all size operations. We do it because we don’t deem the smaller operator less important than a commercial size operator. We don’t deem that their family is any less entitled to opportunity than any other family inrural America. We do it because of the value and importance and the contribution that those farm families of all sizes make to the rest of us. We do it because of the securities I’ve mentioned. We do it because every single person in this country has been given a gift, an extraordinary gift and it’s unrecognized and it’s the gift of freedom to do what you choose with your life.”

See page 10 for full story

Union Farmer Around the State with South Dakota Farmers Union Special Thanks!

Legislative Leadership in Agriculture: Farmers Union would like to thank Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee Chairs Senator Shantel Krebs and Representative Charlie Hoffman for their service to South Dakota agriculture. Both legislators are seeking other opportunities and are not seeking election to the legislature in 2015. Krebs is running for Secretary of State and Hoffman has decided not to seek another term. We would also like to thank Senator Larry Rhoden for his leadership in agriculture. Rhoden is term limited and will not be returning in 2015, however, he has filed and is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Senator Tim Johnson.

Bill Sponsors Senator Larry Rhoden for being the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 170 Senator Ryan Maher for being the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 161 Senator Jason Frerichs for being the prime Senate sponsor of House Bill 1195 Senator Chuck Welke for being the primes Senate sponsor on House Bill 1260 Representative Dennis Feickert for being the prime sponsor on House Bills 1195 and 1260 Representative Tona Rozum for being the prime House sponsor of Senate Bills 161 and 170 South Dakota’s agriculture industry has benefited from your dedication and service.

Thank you!

South Dakota Farmers Union would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have recently lost a loved one.

Hubert “Budd” Kazmerzak, age 89, of Erwin, passed away Monday, March 17, 2014 Budd was a lifelong dedicated member of South Dakota Farmers Union.

Clip and Save Calendar April 2 4 7 9 12 14 15 16 18 19 21 30

Jr. REAL, Howard Summer Intern Retreat, SDFU Board Room FFA Quiz Bowl, Brookings Jr. REAL, Beresford District I meeting, Geddes Rancher FSA Meetings, Eagle Butte/Hermosa Rancher FSA Meetings, Interior/Union Center VAADC meeting, SDFU Board Room State Office Closed Lyman County Meeting, Presho State Camp Planning Meeting, SDFU Board Room

Jr. REAL, Faith

May 1 12-16 26 27-29

3rd Grade Farm Tour

Summer Intern Training, SDFU Board Room

State Office Closed District I & II Camp, Swan Lake

June 8-13 19 22-27 26-28 23

State Leadership Camp, Rapid City SDHSRA Meal, Belle Fourche All State’s Camp, Bailey, CO Red Power Show, Huron Tripp County Camp, Colome

July

Cook’s Corner To celebrate Farmers Union Centennial, we will be releasing a cookbook and we’re calling on Farmers Union members to contribute.

Please send your favorite recipes to khofhenke@sdfu.org or submit through our website www.sdfu.org.

Each month we’ll select one recipe to feature in the Union Farmer’s Cook’s Corner.

4 13-16 17 24 27-30 27-30

State Office Closed, Independence Day Assoc. of Cooperative Educators, Austin, TX Minnehaha Co. Camp, Hartford Beadle Co. Camp, Huron District III & VII Camp, Lake Richmond District IV, V, VI Camp, Camp Bob Marshall

Visit the Events section at www.sdfu.org for more details on upcoming events.

Cowboy Caviar Submitted by: Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director

Ingredients: 1 can black beans │1 can black eyed peas │1 can diced tomatoes 1 can kernel corn │1 firm avocado │2 cans tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel) 1 ½ cup green onion, finely chopped │1 med purple onion, finely chopped 1 ½ tsp Ground cayenne pepper │¼ tsp Garlic salt │½ bottle zest Italian dressing

Open and drain all canned items in a strainer.

Rinse the beans thoroughly.

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Refrigerate overnight.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Apr. 2014

20% OFF

*

their entire purchase at

Directions:

2

Farmers Union Members get

Union Farmer

Double D Western Wear & Tack 800 21st St., Huron, SD

www.ddwesternhuron.com

Please present this coupon with your purchase * Excludes all boots, men’s jeans and tack

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Union Farmer From Oldham to Washington D.C. – A Farmer’s Journey to Impact Rural Ag Policy As a freshman in high school, Dallas Tonsager’s dad taught him about the business of farming from the soil up.

“He gave me land to farm. I had to learn very quickly the key elements of how a farm works because I was responsible for everything involved in farming that piece of land,” Tonsager explains, from deciding what to plant and managing the inputs to harvest and paying taxes on the earnings.

A lot of responsibility for a 16-year-old to shoulder. However, his dad understood, like three Presidents and multiple organizations he has served throughout his long career in farming, agriculture and rural policy, that Tonsager has what it takes to get the job done.

By high school graduation, Tonsager was farming fulltime; which he continued to do as he pursued a degree at South Dakota State University. And, he might still be farming had it not been for the Farm Crisis of the 1980s motivating him to get involved in ag policy.

“Farmers can do more for themselves when they work together.”

For his contributions to the industry of Agriculture and Farmers Union, Tonsager was recently presented with the National Farmers Union award for meritorious service during the Farmers Union National Convention.

If you don’t know Tonsager, or his story, here’s the short version of how Tonsager’s passion for agriculture and rural communities took him off the farm and into leadership roles where he could impact national ag and rural policy.

While attending SDSU, Tonsager volunteered for McGovern’s Presidential campaign and got to know McGovern’s volunteer coordinator, Tom Daschle.

When Daschle decided to run for the House in 1977, Tonsager again volunteered his time to help.

Jim Miller, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Service; Joshua Tonsager, Sharon Tonsager, Keith Tonsager, Dallas Tonsager, Lindsey Tonsager.

“These two men had a great impact on me,” Tonsager says. “Daschle has been incredibly helpful to me throughout my career and appointments.”

In 1993, Daschle nominated Tonsager and President Clinton appointed him to serve as the State Director of the USDA Farmers Home Administration. It would be the first of three Presidential appointments Tonsager would receive throughout his career, serving under Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama.

He recently stepped down as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development.

“Farmers Union prepared me well.”

In his mid-30s when the Farm Crisis began, Tonsager was farming fulltime with his brother on the family’s diversified crop and dairy farm near Oldham.

www.sdfu.org

It was during this difficult time that he became involved in S.D. Farmers Union. An organization he’d always been a member of, however it wasn’t until this crisis that he was motivated to become actively involved.

“I was impressed at how Farmers Union aggressively tried to deal with the difficult times we were facing. Leland Swenson, the president at the time, asked me to become involved in Dallas Tonsager a state task force that Farmers Union had launched to develop dairy policy that would address the issues the industry was dealing with,” he explains.

Through the experience, Tonsager gained leadership skills as well as a clear understanding of how policy development worked. He was hooked. “Lee Swenson’s leadership style pulled me in, I have always tried to emulate it,” Tonsager says.

“I looked at the subjects being dealt with and had the belief that farmers could do more for themselves working together,” says Tonsager, who served as President of South Dakota Farmers Union from 1988 to 1993.

When he was first appointed to serve as President of Farmers Union he somehow managed to continue farming. He would get up, milk his cows, commuting an hour to spend the day in the Huron office and then return home for evening chores.

“Eventually it just became too much, and my brother took over the farm. I’ve been an occasional farmer ever since,” he says.

He attributes the years spent with Farmers Union to preparing him for future Presidential appointments.

“Farmers Union prepared me. It gave me the opportunity to be a part of policy debates, make mistakes and learn,” Tonsager explains. “Also, the management experience I gained as state president was hugely important to my future appointments.”

“Farmers have credibility.”

In his most recent role as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tonsager managed 6,000 people and four years of programs totaling $140 billion.

Although Tonsager left his daily farming chores behind him when he devoted his life to public service, he says without his farming roots he wouldn’t be where he is today.

“My production agriculture background very much impacted the appointments I’ve received,” he says. “There is a huge amount of respect for farmers. Simply by being a farmer I have credibility to fight for policy that will benefit American agriculture.”

An example of this credibility was demonstrated during President Obama’s campaign. In 2007, Tonsager and a friend started a group called Rural Americans for Obama, and were called upon to advise the President’s campaign on agriculture and rural policy.

“We put together a group that became more nearly 400 individuals nationwide to campaign with Obama and help him write policy on agriculture and rural issues,” he says. “It is great to be able to have direct impact on many issues that affect agriculture.”

See TONSAGER page 5

Union Farmer

Apr. 2014

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Union Farmer Doug Sombke Re-elected to Serve on National Farmers Union Legislative Committee Farmers Union played an important role in passage of the Agriculture Act of 2014, which Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack acknowledged during a speech he gave to delegates attending the recent National Farmers Union Convention, in Santa Fe, N.M. South Dakota Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke played an integral role in the process as chair of the National Farmers Union Legislative Committee.

“For the first time in many years it looked like we might not get a farm bill, so the legislative committee, along with the National Farmers Union staff, worked to encourage Congress to remain focused and, although everyone made compromises, in the end we are happy with everything we were able to get into the bill for U.S. farmers and ranchers,” said Sombke, who was re-elected to serve chair of the Legislative Committee during the convention.

The Legislative Committee he chaired provided guidance to National Farmers Union staff as they worked to lobby members of the House Agriculture Committee. Sombke compares the process to a game of chess.

“As the bill was being drafted, ultimately our responsibility was to the farmers and ranchers who we represent. It was like chess. Here’s their move, now what’s the move you will make to get the most for our members,” Sombke said.

He points to the livestock indemnity and dairy protection programs included in the recently passed farm bill as prime examples of programs that will have a positive impact on South Dakota farmers and ranchers.

“When this farm bill passed and it included these programs, for me, it felt like spring had finally arrived after a long hard winter,” Sombke said.

As he moves into his second term as committee chair, Sombke says he and his committee will now work to ensure implementation of the farm bill runs as smoothly as possible for farmers and ranchers.

“National Farmers Union has led the fight to represent family farmers and ranchers at all levels of government and we will continue to do so as the new farm bill is implemented,” Sombke said.

National Farmers Union is a family farm organization founded in 1902 with over 250,000 members nationwide. The National Farmers Union Legislative Committee is made up of other Farmers Union presidents from across the country. The committee works with NFU legislative staff in Washington, D.C., on national agriculture issues. ■

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Apr. 2014

SDFU at the Washington Pavilion Ag Day

During Ag Day held at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, Torchbearer, Alyson Hauck helps Kinsley and Parker make a Farm Charm necklace as their mom, Pam Strain watches.

Farm Charms was the way that Farmers Union helped teach kids about all the things that go into production on South Dakota farms - soil, sunlight, water, animals, soil organisms, etc. Each child used materials that represented those things to make their very own “Farm Charm” that they then made into a necklace to share the story with others.

Each necklace came with an informational tag that read: The farm is the source of most of the food that we eat, shelter that protects us from the weather and many of the clothes that we wear. The land that we depend on is a nonrenewable resource. Once it is gone it is very difficult to get more. People that own and work the land are aware of the close connection between the land and the environment they want to protect both the land and the environment for future generations.

This Farm Charm is to remind each of us of the importance of farms in our lives and the need to protect the environment. As we talk about different aspects of the farm we will drop a pinch of material into a bag that represents each item that we talk about which will, in the end, become our “Farm Charm.” ■

For every five new members you sign up to join Farmers Union you get one chance to enter a drawing to win a free trip to Washington D.C. and participate in the 2014 Farmers Union Fly in. Airfare and hotel accommodations will be provided for the lucky winner.

Drawing is Aug. 1, 2014.

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Golf Tournament Funds Leadership Education for Agriculture’s Next Generation If you were to meet 17-year-old Keely Thompson today, you wouldn’t guess that the vice president of the student council, treasurer of the New Underwood Activities Fund and member of the Rodeo Team, was once a shy girl, who was content to sit on the sidelines.

When asked what brought her out of her shell, Thompson doesn’t hesitate. “Farmers Union youth programs; they helped me break out of my shell, gave me social skills and gave me the confidence to speak in front of people,” says the New Underwood High School senior, who is actively involved in her family’s ranch.

Thompson is one of more than 3,000 rural youth who participate in Farmers Union youth leadership programs each year.

Hosted throughout the state, Farmers Union funds several leadership-focused activities designed specifically to provide rural youth, ages 6 through 18, with leadership and life skills as well as insight into South Dakota’s number one industry of agriculture.

“I’ve enjoyed all the opportunities it’s provided to me and now that I’m a camp counselor, I’m able to mentor younger kids,” she said.

Golf for Rural Youth Thompson and rural youth like are the reason Jim Wahle volunteered to organize this year’s Dakota Prairie Foundation Open June 18 at Spring Creek Golf Course in Harrisburg. He hopes to raise at least $10,000 for Farmers Union leadership education.

The tournament will be a fourperson, best ball format.

“Investing in rural youth is investing in the future of South Dakota’s number one industry,” said Wahle, who farms near Salem and serves as District 2 Farmers Union President.

He adds that along with leadership development, Farmers Union education programs also teach rural youth about the cooperatives which play an integral role in many rural communities.

“Those of us who live in rural South Dakota depend heavKeely Thompson, New Underwood ily upon cooperatives and its important our youth understand how they work,” he said. “I bank at a cooperative, I get my phone and internet service from a cooperative, I purchase most Investing in rural of my farm inputs from a cooperative, I buy my fuel youth is investing in the from a cooperative and I sell most of my grain to a cooperative.” future of South Dakota’s To learn more about Farmers Union youth leadernumber one industry, ship programs, visit www.sdfu.org. agriculture.

Wahle is currently looking for team and hole spon- Jim Wahle sors, to learn more, contact the state Farmers Union office at 605-352-6761 ext. 114 or khofhenke@sdfu. org. ■

“

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Tonsager: The Next Thing Continued from page 3

His first Presidential appointment came in 1993, when President Clinton appointed him to serve as state director for the USDA Farmers Home Administration. In this role he co-chaired a team that envisioned and designed a new national field structure for the newly created USDA Rural Development mission area. He then worked for the USDA Rural Development in South Dakota.

He then carried his knowledge to the non-profit sector, serving as the Executive Director of the South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Development Center.

The next Presidential appointment came in 2004, when President Bush nominated Tonsager and the Senate confirmed him to serve as a board member for the Farm Credit Administration. During his term he worked to increase capital access for critical rural and agricultural processing projects.

His latest appointment began in 2009 when President Obama asked him to serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development. Tonsager initiated new efforts to provide capital solutions for rural citizens in ways that created new jobs and impacted rural communities in very real ways.

For example, he worked to refocus rural electric programs to allow Rural Utility Service funds to be used to retrofit homes for energy efficiency purposes. This program creates jobs, saves money for patrons and improves the environment without any additional cost to the government.

“The great thing about working in agriculture policy is that in agriculture, more than other issues there is more of a bipartisan take on things,” Tonsager explained. “People tend to look at most issues the same way. We all tend to think in terms of the farmers and ranchers. Most of the time, people in a core sense want the producers to do well and want the rural economy to do well, and ensure that the resources are there to do this.”

www.sdfu.org

The Next Thing Tonsager served as Under Secretary until May 2013. Today, he spends some time consulting and is enjoying extra time with his wife, Sharon, their two grown children Keith and Josh, daughter in law Lindsey and new granddaughter Ilia.

He hopes to again to play another role in the administration or the private sector to improve the lives of rural Americans.

When he looks to the future of South Dakota’s agriculture industry, he encourages Farmers Union members to look ahead for the next industry to stimulate growth in the agriculture economy.

“We need to be extremely forward thinking,” he says. “We had to build the corn ethanol industry in the 1980s and 1990s otherwise we would not be where we are today.” ■

Union Farmer

Apr. 2014

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Union Farmer Six Rural Youth Recognized for Commitment to Agriculture and Communities by South Dakota Farmers Union South Dakota Farmers Union recognizes six rural youth for their commitment to agriculture and their communities with the Torchbearer distinction award.

The Torchbearer award recognizes youth who have completed all levels of the Famers Union youth achievement awards. It is the highest achievement award the organization presents to its youth membership.

The following high school seniors received the Torchbearer award: Dayton Trujillo of De Smet, son of Kathy McAdaragh and Steven Trujillo; Keely Thompson of New Underwood, daughter of Dana and Roxona Front row (left to right): Bonnie Geyer, State Education Director, Thompson; Brooke Enright of Union Center, Huron; Keely Thompson, New Underwood; Alyson Hauck, daughter of Travis and Jone Enright; Bailly DeSmet; Bailly Enright, Union Center. Back row (left to right): Enright of Union Center, daughter of Travis Brooke Enright, Union Center; Dayton Trujillo, DeSmet; Jackie and Jone Enright; Alyson Hauck of De Dethlefsen, Stickney.

Smet, daughter of Jason and Bobbi Hauck and Jackie Dethlefsen of Stickney, daughter of Cheryl and Clyde Dethlefsen.

“These youth have exhibited leadership and given back to their communities and the industry of agriculture through participation in Farmers Union leadership training, camps and volunteering their time for community development,” explains Bonnie Geyer, South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director.

Many of the Torchbearers became involved in Farmers Union youth programs as elementary students attending Farmers Union day camps. This is true for Dayton Trujillo. He got involved in Farmers Union youth programs at the prodding of his aunt. However, after attending the Farmers Union day camp as an elementary student, he says he didn’t need encouragement to stay involved.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself and developed self confidence and communication skills through Farmers Union youth programs. The last few years I’ve been able to give back as a camp counselor working with young kids,” Trujillo says.

He adds that along with learning, he has made life-long friends through the programs.

“The friends I have made in Farmers Union are U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack visits with like an extended family,” Trujillo says.

Along with friends, Bailly Enright says she gained SDFU Torchbearers at NFU Converntion. leadership and speaking skills through Farmers Union camps and education opportunities that paid off when she ran for student body president.

“Farmers Union pushed me to step out of my element and stretch myself,” says the Faith High School student body president.

Rural Youth Learn Policy Development at National Convention in Santa Fe Each of the six Torchbearers received an all expense paid trip to the National Farmers Union Convention in Santa Fe, N.M., March 8-12.

While attending the event, the students had the opportunity to hear U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack speak, attend presentations on the recently passed farm bill and got to be involved in policy development.

“I learned a lot more about the farm bill and how much work goes into the policy of Farmers Union. It was really interesting to hear all the viewpoints of the members from the different states,” Jackie Dethlefsen says. When Dethlefsen first got involved in Farmers Union as an elementary student, she says she was shy, but because of the experiences she gained through the program, she became more confident.

“I used to be the shy kid in the corner, but the Farmers Union program broke me out of that shell. I now can walk up to just about anyone and have a conversation with them, which I did multiple times during the convention,” Dethlefsen says.

The new Torchbearers will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Union Farmer. To learn more about Farmers Union youth programs, visit SDFU.org or contact Bonnie Geyer at 605-352-6761 ext. 125 or bgeyer@sdfu.org. ■

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Apr. 2014

Union Farmer

EPA & Army Corps of Engineers Provide Clarity to Stream and Wetland Protections Covered Under the Clean Water Act On March 25th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jointly released a proposed rule that seeks to clarify stream and wetland protections covered under the Clean Water Act. In communications accompanying the release, the EPA directly addressed the relevance of the proposed rule to agriculture.

“The proposed rule preserves the Clean Water Act exemptions and exclusions for agriculture,” the release stated. “Additionally, EPA and the Army Corps have coordinated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop an interpretive rule to ensure that 53 specific conservation practices that protect or improve water quality will not be subject to Section 404 dredged or fill permitting requirements.

The agencies will work together to implement these new exemptions and periodically review, and update USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation practice standards and activities that would qualify under the exemption. Any agriculture activity that does not result in the discharge of a pollutant to waters of the U.S. still does not require a permit.”

Farmers Union is in the process of reviewing the 370-page draft and plans to submit official comments to the Federal Register during the 90-day public comment period. SDFU will examine the rule to ensure that it provides greater certainty for farmers as to which waters fall under Clean Water Act jurisdiction while honoring all existing protections for farming practices. ■

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Insight & Understanding into What SB 46 Means to Your Livestock Operation

Almost all of us are now aware of Senate Bill 46, the animal cruelty legislathat you are working on, the practice is used by multiple producers. tion that was introduced in the state legislature and signed into law by Governor The other key exemption in this section is “all aspects of the livestock indusDaugaard. try.”

South Dakota Farmers Union supported the bill and was a part of the draftLivestock is defined as any animal own, bred or raised for profit except dogs, ing process. No one at South Dakota Farmers Union would support cruelty to cats, rabbits, or household pets. If you raise any animal for profit with the exanimals. We focused our efforts on making sure all usual and customary livestock ception of those listed and are raising them in a usual and customary way, it is practices could not be misconstrued. This article is intended to assist you as a not considered animal cruelty. producer to fully understand the legislation that was signed into law.

Another important question to then ask is, what is the definition of humane SB 46 will go into effect on July 1, 2014. South Dakota was the last state in the killing? Humane killing is defined as causing “the death of an animal in a mannation to add a felony penalty option for animal cruelty. Now that it has become ner to limit the pain or suffering of the animal as much as reasonably possible law, what does it mean to animal agriculture? under the circumstances.” If you are acting in a reasonable manner under whatSection 15 ever circumstances you may be in to limit pain and suffering, you should not be charged with animal cruelty.

The first and most important part of Senate Bill 46 was Section 15 or Section 40-1-17 of the code. This is the section on exemptions, or practices that cannot be Then the question becomes, what is cruelty? As of July 1, 2014, animal considered animal cruelty. For reference, here is the exact language passed into cruelty will be “to intentionally, willfully, and maliciously inflict gross physilaw: cal abuse on an animal that causes prolonged pain, that causes serious physical “Nothing in this chapter or chapter 40-2 may be construed to interfere with an injury, or that results in the death of the animal.” animal under the direct and proper care of a licensed veterinarian or with perThe key to understanding this definition is to break it down into three elesons engaged in standard and accepted agricultural pursuits or animal husbandry ments. The first part is a person’s mental state, the second is the type abuse, and practices. the third is the result. If someone is charged with animal cruelty, they must meet all three elements.

In addition, the following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter and chapter 40-2: The first element, a person’s mental state, is where an individual must intentionally, wilfully, and maliciously conduct the act. They must be found to

(1) Any usual and customary practice; have done it with all three states of mind. Put in a different way, a judge or jury

(a) In the production of food, feed, or fiber, including all aspects would have to find that an act was purposely carried out with malice, or an evil

of the livestock industry; intent. If a person is found to have acted in this manner, then a court would look

(b) In the boarding, breeding, competition, exhibition, feeding, to the next two elements.

raising, service work, showing, training, transportation, and The second element is simply determining if the act committed would be gross

use of animals; or physical abuse. Gross physical abuse is most commonly used to define acts

(c) In the harvesting of animals for food or byproducts; that result in permanent disfigurement, the tearing of limbs, breaking of bones,

(2) Any humane killing of an animal; etc. If a person is found to have caused gross physical abuse to an animal, they

(3) Any lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, or other activity authorized by would have met the second element.

the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; The third element is the result element. If the second element is met, it must

(4) Any lawful pest, vermin, predator, and animal damage control, also have caused prolonged pain, serious physical injury or have died from the

including the disposition of wild animals; result of the abuse. In order for this element to be met only one of the three po (5) Any reasonable action taken by a person for the destruction or control tential outcomes needs to happen. If the gross physical abuse causes prolonged

of an animal known to be dangerous, a threat, or injurious to life, pain, it would be considered cruelty. The same if it was serious physical injury or death of an animal that is attributable to the act.

limb, or property; and

(6) Any actions taken by personnel or agents of the board, the If all three elements are met, then a court should find that a person is guilty of

Department of Agriculture, Department of Game, Fish and Parks, animal cruelty. The penalty for cruelty is a class 6 felony. A class 6 felony is up

or the United States Department of Agriculture in the performance of to two years imprisonment in the state penitentiary or a fine of $4,000 or both.

duties as prescribed by law.”

All other acts of animal abandonment, mistreatment, or neglect remain class 1 As long as a livestock producer or citizen is engaging in any of these activities, misdemeanors. A class 1 misdemeanor is one year imprisonment in a county jail or $2,000 or both. they should not be charged with animal cruelty. Under this section all rodeos, horse races, livestock shows, slaughtering, processing, are exempt, as long as SDFU believes that the addition of this language will protect the future of the the practice being used would be usual and customary for that particular type of animal agriculture industry in South Dakota. This legislation will benefit South function.

Dakota agriculture.

The use of the words “usual and customary” can be debatable, however, the If you have additional questions about SB 46, or other issues. Do not hesitate language is intended to imply that in your geographic area, or the type of species to contact the South Dakota Farmers Union office. ■

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Apr. 2014

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Union Farmer Farmers Union Members Travel to Chile and Peru with SDARL The world of agriculture became smaller for a group of South Dakota Farmers Union members who explored agriculture in Chile and Peru with Class 7 of South Dakota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (SDARL).

“Even though we’re from different hemispheres there is a bond between agriculture producers. This trip really showed me how small the world of agriculture is,” said SDFU member Kurt Zuehlke, who raises crops and cattle on his family farm near Britton.

Zuehlke was one of five SDFU members who participated in SDARL Class 7. The Class VII SDARL other members were Mike Frey, Dawn evident almost immediately, explained Cope; when Nagel, Silvia Christen and SDFU LegislaSDARL toured farms where corn and soybean seed tive Director, Mike Traxinger. was being grown this winter to be planted in South South Dakota Ag & Rural Leadership (SDARL) Dakota and other Midwestern states this spring. is a private, not-for-profit organization, dedicated The trip was 10 days. During that time SDARL to identifying and developing leadership for agrimembers explored many asculture and rural communipects of Chile and Peruvian ties. Since 1999, SDARL agriculture; from Chile’s has provided intensive study largest produce market, a and training experiences for fruit processing plant and more than 210 South Dakota meeting with government agricultural producers and agriculture officials to tours agribusiness leaders. of crop and livestock operaThroughout the 2-year tions and a Monsanto seed SDARL experience, the 30 processing plant. individuals selected from “It’s powerful to experiSouth Dakota’s production ence firsthand that there are ag and agribusiness sector, no borders when it comes to travel across the state and globalization of our agriculto Washington, D.C. gainDawn Nagel at a llama & alpaca farm in Peru ture products,” Cope said. ing first-hand knowledge Mike Frey, a crop and dairy producer from Clareabout the state’s No. 1 industry as well as national mont echoed Copes thoughts. policy. They also have the opportunity to engage in personal and professional leadership development.

“The entire SDARL experience has made me think To wrap up the experience, each class goes on an outside the box of what I do international tour. Class 7 toured Chile and Peru this daily on my farm and open February. my mind to possibilities beyond my own operation,” The international trip adds a global perspective to the overall experience, explained SDARL Executive Frey said. “Bottom line, Director, Lori Cope. when you get down to it, all of us involved in produc“We must develop tion agriculture need a better leaders with essenunderstanding of how we tial knowledge and understanding of ag- can all work together for the larger cause of feeding the riculture in a global context,” Cope said. World.”

While touring the Chile “Economically, farms and various agriculture agriculture’s global operations Frey said he was impressed by how willinterdependence is ing the producers they met were to adapt to changes increasing at an astonishing rate. Many in markets or their environment. of our World’s critical problems interface directly “If something wasn’t doing well, they would rip with agriculture – food supplies, trade and natural it out and plant something new,” Frey said. “They resources.” aren’t afraid of change.”

An example of interconnectivity between South Connecting with Chile’s agriculture producers was Dakota’s agriculture industry and Chile’s became a highlight for many SDARL members, explained

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Zuehlke. “We made so many connections with their producers because we share the same passion for helping feed the world as well as many of the same challenges. Like us, they face a labor shortage and the challenge of an aging agriculture population.”

Zuehlke applied for SDARL two years ago because he was looking to enhance his communication and leadership skills.

“Agriculture has many voices speaking out against it. I wanted to make sure I had the training to be an effective voice speaking up for agriculture. Through SDARL I am confident I can be the advocate I need to be,” said Zuehlke, who currently serves as Class 7 president.

Along with leadership development, creating more connections with South Dakota agriculture producers and agribusiness people is what motivated Zuehlke’s classmate, Dawn Mike Traxinger at Machu Picchu Nagel to apply for Class 7 SDARL. A Gettysburg farmer and County Executive Director for Sully County Farm Service Agency, Nagel says the experience has not only connected her to a large network of those involved in South Dakota agriculture, but it has given her a broader view of the state’s ag industry.

“SDARL has really opened my mind to the bigger picture of agriculture,” Nagel said. “Until we traveled to the Black Hills and learned about the forestry industry, I’d only really thought about South Dakota’s agriculture as being production and ag- business related.”

Juggling her day job at Farm Service Agency, Nagel makes time to actively participate in her family’s Gettysburg crop, cow/calf and background feeding operation. She partners with her dad, his siblings and cousins to run the diversified operation.

While touring a feedlot in Chile, Nagel was impressed at how similar the basic day-to-day operations were to her own – yet how much more labor-intensive this Chile feedlot was. In fact, she said from what she saw, most aspects of production agriculture in Chile were more labor intensive.

See SDFU IN SDARL page 10

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer USDA Proposing Important of Fresh Beef from Certain Regions in Brazil

The USDA has proposed amending the regulations governing the importation of certain animals, meat, and other animal products by allowing, under certain conditions, the importation of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from a region in Brazil (the States of Bahia, Distrito Federal, Espirito Santo, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Rondonia, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, and Tocantins). Based on the evidence in a recent risk assessment, the USDA determined that fresh (chilled or frozen) beef can be safely imported from those Brazilian States provided certain conditions are met.

Farmers Union will be submitting comments against this proposal, as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) still poses a threat. Any changes to the current ban would be harmful to family farmers, ranchers and the general public due to the possibility of transmission of FMD to U.S. livestock, resulting in eroded consumer confidence in our food supply.

The economic costs of an FMD outbreak in the United States would be tremendous. A 2002 study conducted by Purdue University and the Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health at APHIS found that if an epidemic similar to the outbreak that occurred in the U.K. in 2001 were to strike the United States, a loss of $14 billion in U.S. farm income (in 2002 dollars) would result. This includes costs of quarantine and eradication of animals, a ban on exports, and reduced consumer confidence.

We encourage you to write the USDA and oppose this proposal. Comments are due April 22, 2014 and can be submitted by visiting http://www.regulations. gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2009-0017-0010.

Click the “Comment Now” button to submit comments.■

SDFU IN SDARL Continued from page 8

“It was intriguing to me how they seemed to value the person who is doing the job more than the economics of finding technology to do the same job,” Nagel said. “However, it’s all extremely funcMike Frey at Viña San Pedro tional.

I guess that’s Vineyard one of the biggest lessons I learned from international travel. Not that how they do something is better or worse than how we do it here. But, that it is what works for them at the time, and how we do things here is what is working for us.”

To learn more about the trip and to view a complete trip itinerary as well as a daily blog kept by class members during the trip, visit www.SDARL.org.■

www.sdfu.org

Getting to know Board Member: Joel Keierleber As a grassroots farm/ranch organization, Farmers Union relies heavily on our board members for guidance and insight. So you can get to know this team of leaders, each issue of Union Farmer we will be featuring one of our board members.

Q: During the National Farmers Union Convention you served on the Policy Committee, what was that like?

A: I enjoyed the process, as well as the opportunity I had to get to know the other committee members.

The committee’s role is to take all resolutions that come from the states and evaluate them, combine similar resolutions, and reword them to ensure they are easy to understand. Once the originators of the resolutions approve of our changes, then they go to the floor to be voted on by the national delegates Joel Keierleber, District 4 which determines if they become part of the 2014 Farmers Union Policy.

National Farmers Union staff takes the policy that passes at the national convention and uses it as a guide when lobbying in D.C. Q: While we’re on the topic of National Convention, what do you enjoy most about attending?

A: I really enjoyed getting to know farmers from across the nation. It’s interesting that no matter how similar or different our farming operations are from one another, we all face very similar challenges – resources, aging producer population, regulations.

I also enjoy learning about their operations as well as management practices that I can incorporate into my own farming operation.

During this last convention I got to know one of the “largest small” family farmers in Hawaii – his farm was 2,000 square-feet and he raises ducks, and red worms and produces an organic insecticide. Basically all three enterprises were stacked on top of each other. I also met a guy from North Dakota who doesn’t use any fertilizer on his fields, yet because of his soil’s health, he is able to raise 125% of the county average.

Q: Tell us about your farming operation?

A: Well, I grew up on a dairy and got my first cow when I was 10 as a 4-H project. However,

Union Farmer

getting my own start in farming hit a bump when I was injured in a farm accident in 1977. I spent three months in the hospital and the doctors told me I needed to pick a different occupation because I’d be crippled.

My dad’s health wasn’t good, so they sold the farm. A year later, my wife, Audrey and I knew that farming was what we wanted to do. We purchased just a few hundred acres to start off with, while she worked at a 35 year teaching career to allow us to grow and manage our agriculture career. We knew we could manage that and could build from there.

When we started our farm was diverse, we raised pigs, sheep, wheat, milo and, cows and hay on shares. We also sold balers and feed for two feed companies. We started no-till farming in 1980 and by 1986 we were 100% no-till.

Today, like most farms we are much less diversified. We operate about 2,000 acres with grain and high dollar hay, which we sell for horse and dairy feed. We also have a cow/calf operation and finish out the calves. Our land is managed on a very large rotation that includes planting farm ground back to hay and then pasture every few years to build the soil back up.

Q: Tell us about how you became involved in Farmers Union?

A: I grew up involved in 4-H (which is a tradition in our family, our kids were in 4-H and my wife and I were 4-H leaders); then when we purchased our farm, the farmer who sold it to us happened to be a Farmers Union member. We were always impressed by the fact that Farmers Union policy is directed to serve family farmers and over the years became more involved.

Farmers Union has also supported several other issues I feel strongly about – like wind energy development in South Dakota, Redistricting and Feeding America. The Farmers Union is the only farm group to support the SNAP program in our recent farm bill. It is great to belong to an organization that cares about people and not just profits.■

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SD Well Represented During 112th National Farmers Union Convention

Looking back on the recent National Farmers Union National Convention held in Santa Fe, N.M., South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) President, Doug Sombke said South Dakota was well represented.

“Even though we’re a small state, we have a strong voice,” says Sombke, who was re-elected to chair the National Farmers Union Legislative Committee during the convention. “As far as policy goes, I don’t know of any that we presented that didn’t pass. In fact, the policy we presented on redistricting passed exactly word for word as we wrote it.”

During the National Convention, delegates from across the U.S. vote on policies that will become the national policy that NFU staff will use when lobbying for agriculture and family farmers and ranchers throughout this next year. SDFU delegates included; Jim Burg, Paul Dennert, Jim Wahle, Wayne Soren, Garret Bischoff and Chad Johnson.

The delegate process impressed Jim Burg. A semiretired farmer/cattle producer and feedlot operator from Wessington Springs, Burg and his wife,

24 Delegates from South Dakota attended the National Farmers Union Convention at Santa Fe, New Mexico

Bernice drove 2,500 miles to attend their first national convention.

“I really enjoyed discussing policy with members from across the nation,” Voices in Action: Policy Debate says Burg, who has been a member Testifing on South Dakota’s behalf Vice President Wayne Soren (top photo), President Doug Sombke (bottom photo). his entire farming career. “This was a great opportunity to get away and meet with farmers and ranchers from across the country.

It really gave us a good perspective on farming across the nation and helped South Dakota’s voing delegation awaiting their ballots. (L to R) Paul us understand how the Dennert, Wayne Soren, Garret Bischoff and Chad Johnson policy we put in place “I love standing up for issues that impact agriculimpacts others in our industry.” ture and my community,” says Thompson, who will Policy discussions also intrigued be attending South Dakota State University this fall, Torchbearer, Keely Thompson, 17 pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a focus as well. The rancher and senior at on genetics. “The entire Farmers Union experience New Underwood High School, was has really broke me out of my shell and taught me among 6 SDFU Torchbearers to earn a lot about leadership and standing up for what I the trip to National Convention. believe.”

“I loved watching the policy meetThroughout the convention, South Dakota’s 6 delings – the entire process really interegates were actively involved. Along with voting on ests me,” Thompson says. “A couple policy, Dist. 4 President, Joel Keierleber served on issues that came up were relevant the Natl. Policy Committee (Read about his experito me and my neighbors, like the ence in his Q&A found on page 7). And, longtime policy to allow us to drive tractors member and past SDFU President, Dallas Tonsager, and semis without a CDL.” was presented with the Meritorious Service Award, During the convention Thompson the highest honor given within National Farmers and the other Torchbearers particiUnion. pated in all delegate activities and “This award means a lot to me, because it was discussions. She says the experience given to me by individuals within organization that I inspired her to run for a delegate deeply respect,” says Tonsager, who has attended all seat next year. but three conventions since 1986.

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www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Tonsager Recognized at National Farmers Union Convention in Santa Fe, N.M.

Continued from page 10

Convention Highlights During the convention, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the delegation and thanked them for the role National Farmers Union played in passing the Agriculture Act of 2014.

Other presentations and speakers included: a farm bill update panel with Sara Wyant, president, Agri-Pulse Communications; Bart Fischer, chief economist, House Agriculture Doug Sombke casting his ballot Committee; Joe Shultz, Chief Economist, Senate Agriculture Committee; and Alexis Taylor, chief of staff, Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. There was also a state agriculture policy panel which included Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Salazar, New Mexico Director/Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte, and Wyoming Director of Agriculture Jason Fearneyhough.

Mark your calendars! The 2015 Convention will be held, March 14 to 17, 2015: Wichita, Kansas. To learn how you can be nominated as a delegate contact your local County President or Karla Hofhenke, U.S. Sec. of Ag,, Vilsack visits with SD youth SDFU Executive Director. ■

Joel Keierleber (L) presenting policy along with Dave Velde (R)

Nebraska Farmers Union President, John Hansen, Sharon Tonsager Dallas Tonsager with National Farmers Union President, Roger Johnson presenting Tonsager with his Meritorious Service Award.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson convened the 112th general session of the National Farmers Union Convention this Sunday.

Johnson subsequently presented a National Farmers Union award for meritorious service to Dallas Tonsager, a native South Dakotan.

“Dallas Tonsager has 35 years of agricultural, business, cooperative and financial experience through his work as a farmer, businessman and community, state and national leader,” said Johnson. “He served two terms as South Dakota Farmers Union president, held several leadership positions in the industry, and retired after holding the position of U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development. Tonsager committed his tenure as under secretary to making the Rural Energy Assistance Program (REAP) a nationwide program instead of being concentrated in the Midwest.”

Tonsager served as South Dakota Farmers Union president from 19881993. He was then appointed by President Bill Clinton to head the South Dakota USDA Rural Development department as its state director. He served in that capacity until 2001. He was the executive director of the South Dakota Value-Added Agriculture Development Center from 20022004 and was on the board of directors for the Farm Credit Administration from 2004-2009. In 2009 he was appointed by President Barack Obama to head the USDA Rural Development department as under secretary and served until 2013.

“Dallas Tonsager has dedicated his life to public service and improving rural America,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke. “Words cannot express how outstanding of an agricultural leader Tonsager has been to South Dakota and rural America. He is well deserving of this award.”

Tonsager grew up on a dairy farm near Oldham and has been involved in the diversified farm operations since 1976. He graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in agriculture in 1976. Dallas and his wife, Sharon, have two sons.

Meritorious Service Awards honor those who have made particularly noteworthy contributions to agriculture, humanity and Farmers Union.

This is the highest award the NFU Board of Directors can bestow upon any individual.■

$25,000 in Scholarships ‘Insuring a Brighter Tomorrow’ applications available now Deadline April 15, 2014 www.sdfufoundation.org

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Union Farmer Wrap-up of the 2014 South Dakota State Legislative Session: Your Voice was Heard South Dakota’s Legislative Session ended March 14, 2014. Overall, Mike Traxinger, SDFU Legislative Director says it was a successful session.

“I consider it a successful session from the standpoint that meaningful and good legislation was passed,” says Traxinger, explaining that when the session began in January there were 449 bills introduced.

Of all the 200 bills passed into legislation this session, the one that will have the greatest impact on South Dakota farmers and ranchers is Senate Bill 46 (referred to as the Animal Cruelty law), says SDFU President, Doug Sombke.

“It was paramount that this legislation was written by a group of individuals who clearly understand agriculture and the needs of livestock producers,” says Doug. “In the end, Senate Bill 46 passed without breaking the confidence in what our producers’ do today or changing any laws.”

Actively involved in drafting this bill, Traxinger credits much of the bill’s success to the leadership of South Dakota’s State Veterinarian, Dustin Oedekoven.

“He was the bill’s point person and spent countless hours bringing the agriculture organizations and legislators together to ensure that everyone was

Top Agricultural Issues in the 2014 Legislative Session

on the same page,” says Traxinger of the experience, he details in his article located on page 7. SDFU members came out to Pierre and testified on this issue and others during the session. An act, that both Sombke and Traxinger say is even more valuable today.

If there is one take-home from the 2014 Legislative Session, Sombke says it is that your voice counts.

“We are losing representation in Pierre as fewer and fewer legislators are actively involved in production agriculture,” Sombke says. “When you show up, our legislators listen.”

He points to Senate Bill 169, the nonmeandered waters issue, as an example of a bill that benefited from member turnout.

“Farmers Union members from the Northeast really showed up to defend their position. The turnout put the issue to bed this session. It didn’t fix the issue, but it kept a bad law from becoming a reality,” Sombke says.

He adds that he and Traxinger are already working with members on SDFU’s nonmeandered water policy for 2015.

Traxinger echoes Sombke’s thoughts on member involvement. “They see me every day. And, although I represent our members’ views and share their concerns directly with legislators, at the end of the day, having members turn up and share their personal story has the greatest impact on how legislators vote.”

Another good example of how member turnout impacted legislation was the work Farmers Union did with Harding County ranchers and landowners to pass additional legislation that would further protect them in the event of oil and gas exploration and development on their land. “Although one of the bills did not pass, it was a very close vote because ranchers came to the Capitol and met with the committee members to share their concerns,” Traxinger says.

As we move into preparing for the 2015 session, Traxinger provides the final bill review. For the 2014 Legislative Report Card, read page 15. ■

Minimizing the Risk of PEDv – Is Feed a Culprit?

Ron Slaba testifying in House Commerce and Energy on SB 170

SDFU is at the State Capitol representing your voice during the 2014 Legislative Session. The list below includes the top priorities/issues for the year that have been finalized since that last publication of the Union Farmer.

Senate Bill 161- Damages Available for Failure to Provide Notice to Surface Owners SB 161 allows a surface owner or lessee to seek actual and punitive damages if a mineral developer does not provide written notice of surface disturbing mineral development activities at least thirty days before they begin. The activities include well site construction, road building, grading, excavation, demolition, and related activities.

SB 161 passed the Senate 31-3 and the House 67-2. It was signed by Governor Daugaard on March 24.

Senate Bill 170 – Surface Owner Compensation SDFU has been working with the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and Dakota Rural Action on passing Senate Bill 170. Senator Rhoden is the prime sponsor in the Senate and Representative Rozum in the House.

Senate Bill 170 would provide for additional categories of damages available to surface owners due to mineral development. The bill would add damages for the loss of the use of the surface owner’s land and for lost access to the surface owner’s land. It also clarifies that a lessee is entitled to recover damages from mineral development that a lessee has sustained from the title holder.

The bill was assigned to the House Commerce and Energy Committee and heard on Wednesday, March 5. It failed by a vote of 5-8. Those voting in favor of SB 170 included Representatives Cammack, Kirschman, Nelson, Parsley, and Peterson. ■

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PEDv is the hottest topic in pork production today, and it will probably result in structural changes to pork industry world-wide. Since the first case in the US was identified in April 2013, it’s been estimated that we’ve lost up to 10 million pigs in the US alone, which will impact both pork producers and the allied industry partners that serve them. However, it is important to know that it is a “pig-only” disease, and poses no threat to other livestock or people, and the pork it completely safe.

The most common way for PEDv to spread is through the fecal-oral route. Unfortunately, PEDv is extremely virulent, and it would only take 1 tablespoon of the virus to infect every pig in the United States. Therefore, even a very small piece of manure carried on a boot, tire, hands, etc, is enough to cause a farm to break with PEDv. Pork producers have responded by stepping up biosecurity to prevent the introduction of PEDv, and that may have contributed to the decrease in PRRS cases observed this winter. However, even farms practicing strict biosecurity have broken with PEDv so the question now being asked is “can PEDv come in other ways?”.

One possible method of transmission could be that PEDv travels with the wind like PRRS. There is also growing evidence that PEDv can be transmitted through feed.

Plasma proteins and other blood-based feed ingredients have tested positive for PEDv using the PCR test, but it’s important to remember that all a PCR test tells you is that the virus is present. It does not tell you if that virus is alive or dead.

The biggest frustration with PEDv is ALL that we don’t know. It’s a new virus and while a great deal of research is being done on it, there is still so much we don’t know. As of now, we can’t say definitively that blood products and other feed ingredients cause or don’t cause PEDv. However, they are a possible vector of the disease, and each producer needs to weight the risks and benefits of using those products.

For more information, please contact Dr. Bob Thaler, Extension Swine Specialist (605-688-5435) or Dr. Russ Daly, Extension Veterinarian (605-688-6589). ■

Union Farmer

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Farmers Union Producers Share Concerns with Feds over Rail Delays included issues of fairness and commodity priority.

“As agricultural producers, we understand how the extreme cold has affected the rail industry this winter, but weather extremes are part of doing business in South Dakota,” said DuWayne Bosse, SDFU Marshall County President. “While the immediate concern is about shipping last year’s harvested grain to the coasts, it is important to look STB Official Gabriel Meyer, Tom Hitchcock, Franklin Olson, Ryan Wagner and at the bigger picture. How will Steve McCleerey this affect the agricultural commodity South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) members markets going forward?” met with representatives from the Surface TransFarmers Union members are concerned about the portation Board (STB) Office of Public Assistance, potential impact the delays have already had and Governmental Affairs and Compliance March 27 in could continue to have on the agricultural industry Fargo to discuss concerns agricultural producers are in the area. Delays in receiving rail cars have ranged facing with the delay in rail service across South anywhere from 17 to 40 days.

Dakota.

“With the current price of rail cars and the high de“The meeting was very informative and I appreci- mand for them, our local cooperatives and elevators ated the open discussion we had with the federal in Northeast South Dakota are greatly concerned officials from the STB,” said Jason Frerichs, SDFU about whether or not they will receive their rail Roberts County officer and State Senator. car orders,” said Steve McCleerey, SDFU Roberts Delays in rail service have been attributed to the County Farmers Union President. “When these lack of infrastructure, an extremely cold winter, and facilities do not receive the rail cars they ordered, it competition with oil, coal and container shipments. backs up the whole market.”

Some of the major concerns shared by producers “The bottom line is that all of the costs associated

with the delays and lack of infrastructure eventually fall on the farmer,” said Ryan Wagner, SDFU member and Roslyn farmer. “We have already seen how rail delays have affected the basis. If our commodities are not able to be shipped out on rail before the next harvest, how will it affect our baseline, markets, and price?”

The South Dakota ethanol industry has also seen delays and many plants are not running at full capacity.

“This issue isn’t merely causing challenges for grain commodities, it is also placing a burden on value-added agriculture, including the ethanol industry,” Frerichs said. “Ethanol plants are not running at full capacity and producers have had to delay delivering grain because these plants have maxed out their storage capabilities.”

The STB is an economic regulatory agency that Congress charged with resolving railroad rate and service disputes and reviewing proposed railroad mergers.

Additional members attending the meeting included: Tom Hitchcock, chief executive officer at Redfield Energy, LLC. in Redfield, S.D.; and Franklin Olson, farmer and SDFU board member from Pierpont, S.D. SDFU will continue to work on this issue. Please contact the Huron office with concerns about rail transportation in your area. ■

Details of Farm Bill Sign-up to be Provided at Community Gatherings Ranch families are invited to attend any of four community gatherings to be held in Eagle Butte, Union Center, Hermosa, and Interior on April 14 and 15. At each meeting, a free meal will be followed by presentations from Farm Service Agency (FSA) officials with details about the Livestock Disaster Program application process set to begin April 15.

FSA officials will provide details about reporting and documentation requirements, information about how the disaster programs will be administered and answer questions from producers.

The 2014 Farm Bill signed into law fully funded Livestock Disaster Programs including the Livestock Indemnity Program and Livestock Forage Program that provide financial support to producers who suffered losses in the October blizzard and droughts of 2012 and 2013.

Community Gatherings will be held at the following locations: Eagle Butte. SD LandMark Hall Monday, April 14 beginning at 6:30pm

Union Center, SD Central Meade Co Community Center Tuesday, April 15 beginning at 6:30pm

Hermosa, SD Custer County Fairgrounds Monday, April 14 beginning at 6:30pm

Interior, SD Interior Volunteer Fire Hall Tuesday, April 15 beginning at 6:30pm

These gatherings are jointly hosted by USDA Farm Service Agency, Intertribal Agriculture Council, SD Cattlemen’s Association, SD Farmers Union, SD Farm Bureau, SD Sheep Growers Association, and SD Stockgrowers Association with the generous support of Ag United, First Interstate Bank of Sturgis, South Dakota Dairy Producers, Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative, West River Electric Assoc, DakotaLand Feeds, Central Life Sciences, SDSU Extension - West River Ag Center, and the SD Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

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Union Farmer Farmers Union Now Taking Nominations for Rural Dakota Pride Award If you lived in Dewey County in the late 1980s and you weren’t a member of the tribe, the nearest health clinic was 100 miles away.

Rancher Dean Schrempp decided to change this.

A county commissioner at the time, Schrempp pursued grant dollars and called on friends and neighbors, launching a local fundraising campaign. He organized a board of directors.

Because of Schrempp’s efforts, the clinic reopened its doors in 1993 and has remained open and self-sustaining ever since.

“I’ve always been a person who believes in helping people and my community out,” Schrempp says.

Not one to sit on the sidelines, Schrempp serves as a South Dakota State Representative for District 28A as well as serving on several boards. At 77, Schrempp continues to manage his farm and ranch-

ing operation together with his wife, Mavis and their four sons.

“If you don’t get involved, nothing gets done,” he says.

It’s this mantra that motivated him to start the Cheyenne River Boxing Club 45 years ago.

Designed to give youth a positive activity, Schrempp held the boxers to a strict no drugs or alcohol policy. Over the years, he coached more than 300 youth, driving them to boxing competitions across the country.

In 2013, Farmers Union recognized Schrempp with the Dakota Rural Pride Award.

“Rural communities depend on these unsung heroes. They are the people who do what needs to be done,” says Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.

Each year, the Rural Dakota Pride Award recog-

Rural Dakota

PRIDE Awards

REAL Program Concludes in Sioux Falls on March 24-25

Ron Slaba, Farmers Union Harding County President, presents on the Duties and Responsibilities of being a board member to the REAL class during their final session.

Graduate Student Scholarship Deadline is June 1, 2014

Farmers Union is now taking applications for the 2014 Foundation Scholarship through June 1, 2014.

Students interested should visit the Farmers Union website at www.sdfufoundation.org.

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Union Farmer

nizes five individuals who give back to their rural communities.

As an organization which supports South Dakota farmers and ranchers, Hofhenke explains that Farmers Union understands the integral connection between those who work in South Dakota’s number one industry and their rural communities.

“One survives with the other,” she says. “Without thriving communities, it’s difficult to encourage young people to return to their family’s farm or ranch. Rural communities are key to the future of South Dakota’s agriculture industry; which is why we like to recognize those individuals who help them thrive.”

2014 Nominations are June 30, 2014 South Dakota Farmers Union is currently accepting nominations for the Rural Dakota Pride Award Nominations can be submitted via the Farmers Union website, www.sdfu.org or by contacting Hofhenke at 605-352-6761 ext. 114. The five awards will be presented during Farmers Union Day at the 2014 South Dakota State Fair. ■

SD Rancher Relief Fund surpasses $5 million A relief fund set up to help South Dakota ranchers in the wake of an early October blizzard has surpassed $5 billion.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Executive Director Silvia Christen says $4.2 million has been doled out to about 600 ranchers, and a decision will be made in early April on distributing the rest.

The fund was set up by the Stockgrowers, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association after the Oct. 4-5 blizzard that killed an estimated 43,000 head of livestock in the state. It has received donations from around the country. ■

NEWS, EVENTS AND MORE ONLINE NOW!

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Union Farmer 2014 Legislative Scorecard Each year, South Dakota Farmers Union crafts its Legislative Scorecard in an attempt to educate members about some of the legislation the organization worked on throughout the recent legislative session and give you an idea where lawmakers stand on the bills important to you.

We hope this information proves to be valuable to you as a citizen and voter.

Please read through the bills which were selected for this year’s scorecard, and find the corresponding votes of your lawmakers on the pages that follow.

The scores were determined based on the votes each lawmaker cast. If they were absent for a vote, their absence will not be reflected on the legislator’s overall score. Some of the legislation was voted on and defeated in committee, so not all lawmakers voted on every piece of legislation chosen for the scorecard.

House Bill 1081 This bill increases and changes the wheat assessment rate (checkoff) from 1.5 cents per bushel to .4% (4/10 of 1 percent) of the market value per bushel of wheat.

SDFU opposed this legislation. It passed both chambers and was signed by the governor.

House Bill 1112 This appropriations bill provided $2.037 million from the general fund, $1 million from the higher education facilities fund, and granted the Board of Regents the authority to accept and spend $2.483 in donations for the construction of swine teaching and research facilities at South Dakota State University. SDFU supported this legislation. It passed both chambers and was signed by the governor.

House Bill 1195 This bill would have provided for the election of commissioners to the South Dakota Wheat Commission. Currently the commissioners are nominated for consideration and appointed by the Governor. SDFU supported this legislation. It failed in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

House Bill 1260 This bill would have allowed a producer to have five days, instead of 48 hours, to object to a written confirmation of a grain contract. SDFU supported this legislation. It failed in the House Judiciary Committee.

House Concurrent Resolution 1021 This resolution provided that the House of Representatives and Senate request the immediate withdrawal of the USDA’s proposed rule titled “Importation of Beef from a Region in Brazil,” that would allow the importation of fresh and chilled beef from 14 states in Brazil. It also requests the USDA promulgate a rule to strictly prohibit the importation of fresh and chilled beef from Brazil until the USDA Secretary certifies to Congress that every region of Brazil is FMD free. SDFU supported this resolution. It passed both chambers and does not require the governor’s signature.

Senate Bill 22 This bill authorizes an arresting officer the ability to issue a citation for certain livestock inspection violations in lieu of an arrest. SDFU supported this legislation. It passed both chambers and was signed by the governor.

Senate Bill 46 This bill adds a felony penalty for cruelty to animals, but also clearly exempts all aspects of the livestock industry, including Rodeos and other competitions from this penalty. Usual and customary practices and other time-honored animal uses are protected under this exemption section. SDFU supported this legislation. It passed both chambers and was signed by the governor.

Senate Bill 161 This bill allows a surface owner or lessee to seek actual and punitive damages if a mineral developer does not provide written notice of surface disturbing mineral development activities at least thirty days before they begin. The activities include well site construction, road building, grading, excavation, demolition, and related activities. SDFU supported this legislation. It passed both chambers and was signed by the governor.

Senate Bill 170 This bill would have provided for additional categories of damages available to surface owners due to mineral development. It would have allowed for a surface owner to add damages for the loss of the use of the surface owner’s land and for lost access to the surface owner’s land. It also would have clarified that a lessee is entitled to recover damages from mineral development that a lessee has sustained from the title holder. SDFU supported this legislation. It passed the Senate and failed in the House Committee on Commerce and Energy.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 This resolution expressed the legislature’s support for citizens and communities in eastern South Dakota impacted by server high water conditions over the last two decades and for those affected to come together to resolve these issues for the betterment of their communities and South Dakota. SDFU supported this resolution. It passed both chambers and does not require the governor’s signature.

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Traxinger, SDFU Legislative Director, 605-352-6761 ext. 112 or mtraxinger@sdfu.org. ■

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Apr. 2014

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Union Farmer Y = Legislator Supported Legislation

N = Legislator Did Not Support

E = Excused

A ‘Y’ vote does not necessarily mean they voted ‘Yes’ during the committee or floor vote. An ‘N’ vote does not necessarily mean a lawmaker voted ‘No.’ Some Yes votes were meant to defeat measures. Some No votes were meant to keep from defeating a measure.

STATE SENATE

SDFU Stance

SDFU Stance

SDFU Stance

SDFU Stance

SDFU Stance

SDFU Stance

SDFU Stance

SDFU Stance

Senate Vote SB 22

Senate Vote SB 46

Senate Vote SB 161

Senate Vote SB 170

Senate Vote SCR 6

Senate Vote HB 1081

Senate Vote HB 1112

Senate Vote HCR 1021

29-6

33-0

31-3

23-11

34-0

32-3

31-4

35-0

Support (Y)

Senator

Begalka Bradford Brown Buhl Curd Ewing Frerichs Heineman Holien Hunhoff, J. Jensen Jones, C. Jones, T. Kirkeby Krebs Lederman Lucas Maher Monroe Novstrup, A. Omdahl Otten Jr., E. Peters Rampelberg Rave Rhoden Soholt Solano Sutton Tidemann Tieszen Van Gerpen Vehle Welke White

District

4 27 23 15 12 31 1 13 5 18 33 8 17 35 10 16 26 28 24 3 11 6 9 30 25 29 14 32 21 7 34 19 20 2 22

TOTALS:

Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y

Support (Y)

Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Support (Y)

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y E N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Support (Y)

Y E N Y N Y Y N N Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N

Support (Y)

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Opposed (N)

Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Support (Y)

Y Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Support (Y)

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Based On Votes Cast

% with SDFU

88% 71% 88% 100% 57% 75% 75% 75% 63% 88% 88% 75% 75% 88% 86% 63% 71% 75% 63% 75% 75% 63% 100% 88% 88% 88% 88% 88% 88% 88% 88% 88% 88% 75% 75%

18 Farmers Union Members File Petitions to Run for Governor and the State Legislature Our members work to protect and promote the interests of farmers and ranchers by taking a leadership role in advocating for farming, ranching and agricultural interests across the state. We are strongly encouraged about the future of agriculture in South Dakota with this list of Farmers Union members who have stepped up to run for public office.

Farmers Union Members Running for: Governor Susan Wismer, Britton State Senator Jason Frerichs, Wilmot (District 1) Jim Peterson, Revillo (District 4) Ann Tornberg, Beresford (District 16) Bernie Hunhoff, Yankton (District 18) Oren Lesmeister, Parade (District 28) Gary Cammack, Union Center (District 29) Haven Stuck, Rapid City (District 33)

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Apr. 2014

State Representative Dennis Feickert, Aberdeen (District 1) Steve McCleerey, Sisseton (District 1) Burt Elliot, Aberdeen (District 3) Patrick Kirschman, Sioux Falls (District 15) Jean Hunhoff, Yankton (District 18) Peggy Gibson, Huron (District 22) Joan Wollschlager, Lake Preston (District 22) Dean Schrempp, Lantry (District 28A) Ron Slaba, Ludlow (District 29A) Tammy Basel, Union Center (District 29)

Union Farmer

To donate online go to: www.sdfu.org or mail to: SD Farmers Union, PO Box 1388, Huron SD 57350

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

STATE HOUSE Representative

Anderson Bartling Bolin Cammack Campbell Carson Conzet Craig Cronin Dryden Duvall Ecklund Erickson Feickert Feinstein Gibson Gosch Greenfield Haggar, D. Haggar, J. Hajek Hawks Hawley Heinemann Heinert Hickey Hoffman Hunhoff, B. Johns Kaiser Killer Kirschman Kopp Langer Latterell Lust Magstadt May Mickelson Munsterman Nelson Novstrup, D. Olson Otten, H. Parsley Peterson Qualm Rasmussen Ring Romkema Rounds Rozum Russell Schaefer Schoenfish Schrempp Sly Soli Solum Stalzer Steele Stevens Tulson Tyler Verchio Werner Westra Wick Wink Wismer

District

16 21 16 29 35 20 32 33 23 34 24 25 11 1 14 22 32 2 10 10 14 9 7 8 26A 9 23 18 31 3 27 15 35 25 6 34 5 27 13 7 19 3 28B 6 8 4 21 17 17 31 24 20 30 26B 19 28A 33 15 5 11 12 18 2 4 30 22 13 12 29 1

TOTALS:

SDFU Stance Opposed (N) House Vote HB 1081

SDFU Stance Support (Y) House Vote HB 1112

SDFU Stance Support (Y) Committee Vote HB 1195

SDFU Stance Support (Y) Committee Vote HB 1260

SDFU Stance Support (Y) House Vote HCR 1021

SDFU Stance Support (Y) House Vote SB 22

SDFU Stance Support (Y) House Vote SB 46

SDFU Stance Support (Y) House Vote SB 161

SDFU Stance Support (Y) Committee Vote SB 170

SDFU Stance Support (Y) House Vote SCR 6

65-4

63-7

3-9

3-10

69-1

70-0

54-15

67-2

5-8

69-0

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

www.sdfu.org

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

█ Y █ N █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ Y █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ E █ █ █ █ N N █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ █ N N Y █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █

█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ N █ █ █ N █ Y Y N █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ N █ N █ Y █ N █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ █ N █

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Union Farmer

Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y N Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

N █ █ Y █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ Y █ N █ █ █ █ █ █ Y █ █ █ Y Y █ █ █ █ N █ █ █ █ █ █ █ N N █ █ █ █ █ █ N █ █ █

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Based On Votes Cast % with SDFU

75% 88% 86% 78% 71% 86% 75% 75% 63% 100% 86% 71% 75% 88% 88% 75% 63% 50% 86% 71% 63% 86% 86% 86% 71% 86% 67% 83% 75% 60% 88% 88% 56% 75% 86% 86% 75% 71% 86% 86% 75% 86% 63% 63% 88% 88% 75% 86% 86% 86% 75% 86% 57% 75% 75% 75% 86% 86% 75% 75% 71% 75% 86% 86% 71% 86% 75% 86% 75% 86%

Apr. 2014

17

Union Farmer

NFU Delegates Adopt Eight Special Orders of Business NFU’s held its 112th anniversary convention March 8-11 in Santa Fe, N.M. During the convention, delegates from across the country debated a number of amendments to NFU’s policy and passed eight special orders of business (SOBs) resolutions that highlight a particularly timely or high priority issue on which to focus advocacy efforts for the coming year. This year’s SOBs focused on the following Roger Johnson topics: NFU President • International Year of Family Farming: The United Nations (U.N.) has officially designated the year 2014 as the “International Year of Family Farming,” and NFU delegates felt it important to reinforce that recognition with a SOB. The resolution states, “NFU recognizes the vital role family farms play in the economic and social wellbeing of the United States and the world, and the importance of raising the profile of family farming by focusing the world’s attention on its significant role in alleviating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development in rural areas.”

• Family Farming and the Implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill: After many years of advocacy, NFU is proud to have finally achieved passage of a new five- year farm bill. However, as the delegates recognized in this SOB, “equally important as the

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Apr. 2014

legislative process is the implementation of the farm bill, and NFU urges officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to act in a way that benefits family farming throughout the nation.” The resolution goes on to list a number of specific implementation priorities.

• Family Farming and Immigration Reform: “The current immigration system is broken, especially for agricultural laborers and employers,” stated NFU delegates. Congress and the administration have highlighted immigration reform as a policy priority in 2014, making this SOB particularly timely; however, a number of obstacles stand in the way of completion. As the resolution continues, “NFU is supportive of the legislation passed by the U.S. Senate in June 2013, which included agriculture provisions based upon an agreement between a coalition of farm organizations and the United Farm Workers. The U.S. House of Representatives should follow this example and take action to pass a reasonable comprehensive reform bill.”

• Family Farming and Trade Policy: Pending free trade agreements and the president’s request for trade promotion authority, which would prevent Congress from amending or filibustering trade agreements negotiated by the president but instead subject them to only an up or down congressional vote, prompted delegates to adopt an SOB that “opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership as it currently stands because it uses the same failed blueprint as past trade agreements” and “opposes legislation that would enact trade promotion authority, or ‘Fast Track,’ for negotiating trade rules.”

• Family Farming and Animal Disease Protection and Research: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are in the midst of a process to move research on highly contagious animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), from its current location on Plum Island, N.Y. to a mainland location in Manhattan, Kan. This proposal “poses significant risks a concern echoed by a 2009 Government Accountability Office report. The inadvertent release of any of the diseases researched at the facility, which will be located in close proximity to domestic livestock production, would be devastating to the U.S. livestock industry.” For that reason, the resolution opposes moving this research to Kansas but, if inevitable, “urges Congress to provide robust funding of the Kansas facility to ensure it is in top condition to contain these highly contagious diseases and

Union Farmer

prevent them from contaminating the U.S. herd.”

It also opposes “attempts to loosen restrictions on imports from countries that are affected by FMD.” • Family Farming and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): The RFS is the main policy driver of biofuels, and it is “under attack on a variety of fronts. In Congress, the deep-pocketed oil industry and other interest groups have put the RFS in their crosshairs.” The administration has also proposed to reduce the 2014 biofuels targets under the RFS and is in the process of soliciting input on its proposal to do so. The resolution states that “NFU remains adamantly opposed to changing the statute legislatively or administratively.” To combat the claim that the oil industry has met a ‘blend wall’ and is unable to use more biofuels, “NFU calls for the retention of the RFS, increased availability of blender pumps nationwide, and the expansion of flexible-fuel vehicles.”

• Family Farming and the Reform of the Beef Checkoff: NFU is a member of the Beef Industry Checkoff Group, in which livestock stakeholders have come together to seek changes to the checkoff which will ensure the funds are not used to support priorities that are contrary to ranchers’ interests.

To support this work and stress the need for a swift resolution of this nearly three-year process, delegates passed an SOB that outlines the organization’s priorities for reform: “Checkoff programs are intended to promote the consumption and further research and development of commodities, funded by assessing a fee from a farmer, rancher, grower or processor, based on the production of the commodity. These are worthwhile objectives if the checkoff programs and funds are properly administered.

Policy organizations should be divorced from the beef checkoff program.” The resolution concludes by stating “if adequate changes to the current structure of the beef checkoff are not made within the confines of the Beef Industry Checkoff Group, NFU will seek its own resolutions to these problems.”

• Sequestration: Automatic, arbitrary and acrossthe board budget cuts, known as the sequester, went into effect after Congress was unable to reach a compromise on spending cuts and tax rates to reduce the deficit. These cuts have already “weakened the ability of some agencies to perform their duties”; therefore, the resolution urges “the immediate repeal of sequestration.”

Read the full text of the special orders of business at www.nfu.org. ■

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

From the President...

The third president of the United States Thomas Jefferson once said, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” This quote could be used to describe this and many past South Dakota Legislative Sessions.

With the 2014 session in the books it is good to look toward future sessions to be better than the past. One of the bright spots to remember however will be the animal cruelty legislation Governor Daugaard signed into law this session. Many in agriculture helped see this law through this year’s session. South Dakota Farmers Union began working on building language for the new law the day after the 2013 session. We knew that if we did not do something, animal rights groups were going to take those of us in agriculture to task over an animal cruelty law by attempting to pass a ballot referendum.

That outcome would have been very expensive to defend and the language would not have been friendly to agriculture. We began visiting with others in the agriculture community, more specifically, our South Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Oedekoven who oversees the Animal Industry Board, to begin putting animal cruelty language together addressing the issue while at the same time keeping common livestock care practices we currently use protected by the law. There were several meetings throughout the year addressing and building the language which was signed into law. At each meeting more

South Dakota

people began believing in what we were doing and began contributing more to the cause.

South Dakota Farmers Unions legislative director Mike Traxinger was a key player in building the bill and a part of the team lobbying for it Doug Sombke throughout the session.

SDFU President I am very proud of the work he did on our behalf, reassuring me he is a great addition to the Farmers Union team.

Now it is on to tomorrow and working towards next year’s session. I have already given Mike instructions that we will begin concentrating our efforts on the troubles between landowners and the water over their lands for next year. It is time for serious consideration on this issue which has left landowners and outdoorsman in an unknown state for many years. As Thomas Jefferson said, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

Have a great spring and God Bless all you do!

Union Farmer

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes ten times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March, April, May/June, July, August, Sept/Oct, November, and December. Copies are available for $3.00 per year (included with membership dues), and non-members annual subscription is $7.50. Advertising rate is $6.00/column inch. Periodical postage paid at Mitchell, S.D. POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

Contact SDFU 888.734.8136

605.352.6761

1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org

sdfu@sdfu.org

SDFU State Office Staff

Karla Hofhenke.......ext. 114 Executive Director Huron Luanne Thompson.....ext. 111 Mike Traxinger...........ext. 112 Administrative Assistant Legislative Director Virgil Claremont Bonnie Geyer..............ext. 125 Education Director Huron

Kelsey Schnetzer........ext. 116 Membership Director Wolsey

Rebecca Long.............ext. 115 Communication Specialist Huron

Erin Wilcox................ext. 118 Rural Development Director Huron

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton

Wayne Soren..........Vice Pres.

Lake Preston Terry Sestak...........District I Tabor Jim Wahle..............District II Salem Franklin Olson.....District III Pierpont

Contact NFU

Joel Keierleber.......District IV Colome Dallis Basel..............District V Union Center Lynn Frey...............District VI Lemmon Chad Johnson.......District VII Groton

National Farmers Union 20 F Street NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001

Roger Johnson, President ~ Don Teske, Vice President Doug Peterson, Secretary ~ John Hansen, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

NEWS, EVENTS & MORE ONLINE NOW!

WWW.SDFU.ORG

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

The South Dakota Union Farmer is published 10 times per calendar year with issues in January, February, March, April, May/June, July, Aug./ Sept., October, November, and December. All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items by mail to the State Office, P.O. Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org

Apr. 2014

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