Union Farmer May/June 2020

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Volume CV, No. 3 Huron, SD MAY/JUNE 2020

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA’S FARM & RANCH FAMILIES SINCE 1915.

Protecting Food Security

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SDFU Staying Connected

Meet 2020 Summer Interns

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Ending Price Gouging Sen. Rounds says is Matter of National Food Security

Celebrating Farm & Ranch Moms

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S.D. Farmers Union Celebrates Corson County Ranch Family

South Dakota Farmers Union has served South Dakota farm and ranch families for more than a century. Throughout the year, we share their stories in order to highlight the families who make up our state’s No. 1 industry and help feed the world. This month we highlight the Jerry and Carolyn Petik ranch family of Corson County. Jerry & Carolyn are pictured here with ranch dog, Hank.

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rice gouging has concerned South Dakota farmers and ranchers for years. However, it was tough to prove the need for governmental oversight. That is, until COVID-19. “The farm-gate marketing system is broken, and it is no more obvious than today because COVID-19 has shown us that there is price gouging going on. There has always been price gouging, but COVID-19 has made it even more obvious,” explains Doug Sombke, S.D. Farmers Union President and Conde farmer. “This is not only

Price Gouging Continued on Page 6

STATE LEADERSHIP CAMP JULY 27-30, 2020 Storm Mountain, Rapid City, SD (Dates subject to change)

To register, visit www.sdfu.org.

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photo courtesy of Carolyn Petik

n Black Horse Ranch, there’s a creek bottom that offers excellent winter protection for cattle during a blizzard – most of the time. It can also be the most dangerous spot for them to shelter. “It just depends on which way the wind is blowing,” says Jerry Petik, 71, a third-generation Corson County rancher. In a way, ranching is similar to that creek bottom. “Everything is always evolving – the markets, the weather. So, we need to constantly evaluate what we are doing,” explains Jerry, who raises cattle and forage crops together with his wife, Carolyn, 40 miles southeast from Lemmon, S.D. To offer some protection from market swings-, Jerry and Carolyn diversified their marketing plan.

Petik Family Continued on Page 2


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Union Farmer May/June 2020 by South Dakota Farmers Union - Issuu