Union Farmer

we discuss policy every year because things change, so we need to discuss what is relevant to the current year.”

By discussing grassroots policy and having members vote on the organization’s policy each year, SDFU leadership knows what to advocate for or against when they visit with leaders in Pierre and D.C. explained Doug Sombke, President of SDFU.

“And it gives a united voice to family farmers and ranchers when a statewide organization like ours addresses a relevant topic like landowners’ rights,” Sombke said. “As a collective voice we carry a lot of weight, policymakers know they need to listen.” technology.

During the Policy Meeting, members go through SDFU policy book section by section and suggest additions or changes, explained Hank Wonnenberg, a Dallas farmer and Chair of the State Policy Committee. “We had a lot of good discussion and there were a few small changes suggested to make the policy book more clear and easy to understand,” Wonnenberg said.

All policy additions or changes brought forward during the July 20 Policy Meeting will be voted on during the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention held Nov. 30 through Dec. 1 in Huron.

In addition to updating current policy, members brought forward three Special Orders to address timely challenges facing farm and ranch families.

1. Oppose Anticompetative Practices in Livestock Markets

2. Eminent Domain

3. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Guidelines

Special Orders will be voted on by delegates during the 2023 State Convention. In case you were not able to attend the Policy Meeting, we asked the members who introduced these Special Orders to share more information in this Union Farmer article.

Special Order of Business #1 – Oppose Anticompetitive Practices in Livestock Markets vertical integration increasing potential for price manipulation and less competition.

Hank Wonnenberg, Dallas farmer, introduced this Special Order.

Question: Why did you see a need for this Special Order?

Answer: When I learned that national policymakers were proposing a change to U.S. law that prohibits sale barns from being partial owners of processing plants, I saw a need to act.

If sale barns also have financial interest in local meat lockers or other processing plants, it removes necessary competition. I see it as a step toward vertical integration and we run the risk of the beef industry going the way of the hog industry where most hog producers are contractors for the packinghouses.

In addition, this Special Order also addresses a concern of local livestock markets. Livestock auction owners are concerned because there is currently no law prohibiting processing plants from owning livestock auction markets.

Among the clarifications made to the policy book was in the section addressing electronic identification tags. Members discussed suggested policy should be updated to reflect the organizaton’s stance on electronic tags if mandatory countryof-origin labeling (MCOOL) were to be reinstated.

They proposed a change to policy that electronic identification tags remain a voluntary option and if these tags were necessary for MCOOL, then the organization would support federal subsidies for the

Farmers Union opposes efforts permitting livestock auction market owners to have direct or indirect ownership interest in protein processing facilities. While such practices have been illegal for more than 100 years, proposed legislation [“A-Plus Act” (H.R. 7438) and its companion bill in the Senate (the “Expanding Local Meat Processing Act” – S. 4709)] seek to reverse the rule that has been in place to support a competitive marketplace. Likewise, packers should not be allowed to own livestock markets. Enabling simultaneous ownership in livestock markets and processing facilities is a step toward

This Special Order is designed to strengthen the current state law by adding a clause to prohibit processing plants from investing in auction markets.

Special Order of Business #2 – Eminent Domain

We believe eminent domain should be reserved for public projects. In the case where eminent domain may eventually be used, we believe individuals must be notified, that public hearings be held and PUC approves the permit prior to the project’s start.

We oppose further expansion of eminent

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Around the State with Farmers Union Charles Mix Camp

South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.