Farmers and Ranchers Urge D.C. Policymakers to Pass a Farm Bill
Pass a Farm Bill.
This is the message several South Dakota family farmers and ranchers delivered to D.C. policymakers during the 2024 National Farmers Union Fly-In, Sept. 9-11.
“A Farm Bill ensures the stability of farming and ranching,” explained Ryan Urban, a fourth-generation Pukwana crop and cattle producer. “It is scary the dollars it takes to produce food. The price of seed, price of machinery, price of livestock feed – the Farm Bill provides risk
Fly-In Continued on Page 18
Farmers Union Celebrates Harding County Buffalo Producers
Located between the ranching communities of Buffalo and Bison, Slim Buttes Ranch is home to one of the nation’s largest buffalo herds.
And the family who raises them say these majestic animals saved the ranch that has been in their family since it was homesteaded more than a century ago.
“Before we got the buffalo, we had sheep and cattle. It was a constant battle to keep them alive with coyotes and weather,” explained Sandy Limpert, a third-generation Harding County rancher. “We can’t compete in the marketplace with Brazil producing beef. We were working ourselves to death and not making a profit. We needed to make a change to something with more of an upside.”
Sandy and his wife, Jacki, had heard that unlike cattle, buffalo calve on their own, can defend themselves and their young from predators and they thrive in the weather extremes of the Northern Great Plains.
Limpert Family Continued on Page 2
The Limpert family ranches in Harding County raising buffalo: (left to right) Brodie, Roman, 9; Jacki, Tyden, 6; Sandy, Zoey, 13; Halona, and Zaylee, 12.
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Limpert Family
Continued from Page 1
The biggest challenge facing the couple in 1989 was finding the capital to convert their family’s cattle and sheep ranch to buffalo.
“It’s very capital intensive and its tough to go to your banker and say, ‘I’m going to buy this buffalo heifer and it’s going to be three or four years before we get any income out of it.’”
To make their annual loan payments, the Limperts had to get creative.
“We would buy 100 buffalo heifers, keep records on them and sell 50 of the lower performing heifers,” Sandy explained.
In addition to keeping their banker happy, keeping performance records from day one helped them improve herd genetics.
“Genetically, we have come a long way in 35 years,” Jacki said. “When we started, almost no one kept records on buffalo. And there was a lot of inbreeding and undesirable genetics –which makes sense when you think about the fact that the pool was not that great to begin with since all the buffalo today come from only about 1,000 that were left behind after the railroads killed all the rest off.”
Growing up on a cattle operation, Sandy understood the important role genetic selection plays in overall herd success. So, he and Jacki were determined to find a buffalo producer who felt the same way.
This led them to Doc Ken Thorlson, a North Dakota veterinarian and buffalo producer.
“He is one of our greatest mentors,” Jacki said.
“There’s
– Brodie Limpert
“We spent the whole day with him,” Sandy added. “He sold us six bulls. Buying those bulls from him was the best move we ever made. At the time, those were some of the best bulls in the nation.”
Today, Slim Buttes genetics are sought after among buffalo producers. Because of careful genetic selection, the Limperts were able to increase the herd’s average rate of gain in the feedlot from 1 pound a day to 3 pounds a day. They cut the time from birth to harvest nearly in half.
“We’ll start sending our own buffalo to the processor at 17 or 18 months, but the buffalo we buy from others will be closer to 30 months
before they are ready,” explained Brodie Limpert, Sandy and Jacki’s adult son. Together with the help of longtime employees, Aaron Moenkedick and Zach Gardiner, the family also operates a feedlot on the ranch.
Together with the buffalo they purchase to finish, the family ships a truckload of buffalo each week to Colorado to be processed by a family-owned company. Great Range Premium Bison supplies bison to Costo, WalMart and other retailers.
“Demand is always higher than supply. Most weeks they are only able to fulfill 45 percent of their orders,” Jacki said. There’s no herding buffalo
Like cattle, buffalo are ruminants. Their four-chamber stomach may be where the similarities end.
“When we got rid of our cattle and got into buffalo, our biggest learning curve was that we tried to treat buffalo like beef, and you just can’t,” Sandy said. “There’s no making them do what you want them to do. You can’t chase a buffalo. You must persuade them.”
The family quickly discovered the best way to move buffalo is to train them to follow the
cake pickup. Each morning around 7:30 Sandy drives out to where the herd is grazing and gives them a vitamin-rich feed supplement.
They only work the herd at weaning in early December. This is also when they are pregtested. Bulls are put in with the cows in June. Because of their dominant nature, a buffalo herd requires about two times more bulls than a beef herd.
“During breeding season, the bulls exert a lot of energy fighting off other bulls,” Brodie explained. “The older bulls are the dominant bulls. The young bulls, they won’t get much breeding done, but we leave them in to keep the old boys working.”
A buffalo cow will start raising calves at 3 and continue until they are about 25. The Limperts’ buffalo calve mid-April through May. The typical success rate is 95 to 97 percent.
explained. “When things went down, we had the ability to feed the animals and not have to sell our calves at the bottom of the market. We also custom fed for other producers and this helped with cashflow.”
The Limperts stopped delivering to the cooperative and began delivering finished buffalo to a processing plant in Rapid City. When the Rapid City plant closed, they began delivering one load a week to Great Range Premium Bison in Colorado.
At the same time, consumer demand for bison went up thanks to a popular restaurant chain.
“I give a lot of credit to Ted Turner,” Sandy said. “He started Ted’s Montana Grill. There were 45 restaurants and people eating bison and having a good experience.”
Today, buffalo producers impose their own checkoff of $1 a head to fund promotion of the product through the American Bison Association.
Because buffalo do not need assistance during calving, the Limperts have been able to increase their herd size to more than 1,700 without hiring more help. Today, the family along with Moenkedick and Gardiner are able to manage the grazing herd and buffalo in the feedlot.
Today in South Dakota, about 100 producers raise 33,995 head of buffalo. But in the late ‘80s when the Limperts got into buffalo there were far fewer producers. And with the young industry came extreme growing pains, Sandy explained. “In 2000, we were in a drought and the buffalo cooperative we had been selling our finished animals to went near bankrupt, and we had no where to sell our buffalo.”
Decisions they made a decade earlier helped them survive.
“When we started in the buffalo in 1989, Sandy wanted to keep more control. As we built our herd, we also decided to finish them here on the ranch and put in a feedlot,” Jacki
“Once someone has a good experience eating bison, they are hooked,” Sandy said. “We visit with the meat manager
at a grocery store in Spearfish and he tells us that it doesn’t matter what the price per pound on buffalo is, people come in and buy it and don’t complain about the price.”
And because the processor the Limperts work with is family-owned, processor profits trickle down to the producer.
Restoring grassland health
Replacing their cattle herd with buffalo is not the only change the Limperts made. They began putting in the infrastructure necessary to implement rotational grazing.
“We move them every seven days – so the pastures only get grazed seven days out of the
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year,” Brodie said. “By making them utilize a smaller pasture for a week we are able to increase our carrying capacity and we improve our ground. We have noticed a lot of new grass species reappearing.”
And compared to beef cattle, you can raise 23 percent more buffalo on open range because mature buffalo are smaller.
The ranch had about six pastures when Sandy was growing up. To implement rotational grazing the family has expanded to 40 pastures, drilled wells and installed more than 250 water tanks.
“There’s a lot of things we do different today,” Sandy said. “You know you have to change and adapt to grow. I believe if you keep doing the same thing your whole life, the same things as your dad or granddad did, nothing is going to change for the better – for the future.”
At 37, Brodie said he is able to ranch today because of his parents’ forward-thinking approach to the future of Slim Buttes Ranch.
“I’ve always loved the lifestyle and the buffalo. I’ve been here my whole life, and I never wanted to be anywhere else,” Brodie said. “You know I have classmates who would have liked to come home too, but there’s no room for them on their ranches. My parents are not retirement age yet, so if it wasn’t for the buffalo and some of the practices we started 25 years ago, I would not be able to be here either.”
Brodie and his wife, Halona, have four children: Zoey, 13; Zaylee, 12; Roman, 9; and Tyden, 6. The family lives down the drive from Sandy and Jacki.
“There’s no better lifestyle for the kids to grow up in,” Brodie said. “On the ranch they get to do something different and learn something different every day.”
To see more photos of the Limpert family, visit www.sdfu.org and click on the S.D. Farm & Ranch Families link under the About Us Tab. n By Lura Roti
West River Ranchers Weigh in on Farm Bill During National Farmers Union President Visit
Tables were packed at a Buffalo restaurant where nearly 50 Harding County ranchers gathered Aug. 26 to discuss pressing agriculture issues with the President of National Farmers Union Rob Larew.
“It was exciting to have the President of National Farmers Union out here in Harding County so that we could share our way of life and the challenges we face with someone who has influence in D.C.,” said fourth-generation rancher Joe Painter.
Reinstating mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) topped the list of policy issues Painter and other ranchers discussed with Larew.
“From a cow/calf producer standpoint, reinstating MCOOL would help us get fair prices. We know Farmers Union has been working on this and it sounds like there are more policy-
makers ready to help,” Painter said.
Larew explained that getting MCOOL into the Farm Bill is the best, if not the only chance, there is of getting the labeling law passed. “Because of Sen. Rounds (SD) and Sen. Tester (MT) support, this is the best possible opportunity we have seen in years,” Larew said.
But getting a Farm Bill passed is a challenge.
The current Farm Bill was passed in 2018. It expired in 2023 and was given a one-year extension by Congress.
“Based on what President Larew shared during the meeting and what we are hearing from others in D.C., the chances of getting a Farm Bill passed this year are small because regardless of upcoming election results, there will be a change of leadership on the Senate Ag Committee,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union.
In addition to the potential for getting MCOOL into the new Farm Bill, ranchers are eager for a new Farm Bill because of the need for updates to risk management and conservation programs they rely upon, explained Oren Lesmeister a Parade rancher, District 28-A State Representative and Farmers Union board member representing the Northwest District.
“Ranchers need a Farm Bill sooner than later,” Lesmeister said. “The current one is old and outdated. In addition to the need for updates, we are concerned that if we don’t get a Farm Bill passed soon, if there are budget cuts,
some of the newer programs may be cut or underfunded.”
Existing programs that provide risk protection to cow/calf producers when losses occur due to extreme weather are recent additions to the Farm Bill.
Many ranchers also rely on conservation programs found within the Farm Bill, explained Gary Cammack, a fourth-generation Union Center rancher and Majority Whip of the South Dakota State House.
Since 1984, the Cammack family has utilized USDA cost-share programs to help them install miles of waterlines and cross-fencing which allow them to implement rotational grazing.
“Without those funds, we probably would not have been able to afford to implement the needed infrastructure, and I know for sure many projects would have had to be delayed for years before we could get them done because of cost,” Cammack said.
To learn how conservation programs work for ranchers, aiding them in rangeland restoration, Larew began his western South Dakota visit with a tour of the Cammack Ranch.
“I have always believed that any time a western South Dakota rancher can share our story and our way of life with someone in a leadership position – especially someone leading a national farm organization – the opportunity should not get wasted,” Cammack said.
Cammack, his wife, Amy, and their fam-
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew traveled to western South Dakota to understand what ranchers need in the Farm Bill. Left to right: Doug Sombke, SDFU President, Union Center ranchers, Amy, Gary and Reed Cammack, Rob Larew, NFU President, and Oren Lesmeister, Parade rancher and SDFU Board Member.
ily were recognized in 2018 with the Leopold Conservation Award.
Because Meade County is currently experiencing a drought, Cammack was able to show the positive impact rotational grazing has on grassland health and forage availability – even during a drought.
Larew said learning about how the Cammack family utilized conservation programs from the Farm Bill and seeing this firsthand, provides him with a story he can share during visits with policymakers on Capitol Hill.
“When visiting a ranch like the Cammacks, you see how public dollars are being put to use to enhance habitat for wildlife, improve water quality and soil health. And the importance of Farm Bill programming to be flexible enough to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers where they are because conditions across the country look very different,” Larew explained. “All of the stories I gather while meeting with family farmers and ranchers will be shared. This is part of what I do because it is the mission of National Farmers Union to make sure the member’s voice is heard.”
The day after meeting with several Harding County ranchers in Buffalo, Larew toured the Painter Ranch. His visit comes just a few weeks after a fire burned 8,000 acres of land in the area.
In addition to losing forage to fire, like their neighbors, the Painters are suffering the impacts of a devastating drought.
“We got an inch of rain a few days ago, and that was the first significant rain we have seen this year,” Cindy Painter said. “To explain how dry things are, this year we were not able to hay 95 percent of our hay ground.”
Joe and Cindy said Larew’s visit to their community and ranch meant a lot to their fam-
ily. “You hear a lot on the media and it’s tough to know what or who to trust. So, it was nice to hear from someone who actually knows what is going on in D.C,” Cindy said.
Joe added, “From a cow/calf producer standpoint, Farmers Union has been working hard for us to reinstate COOL and stop monopolies in the packing industry.”
During his visit, Larew also gave an update on the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the possibility of packer monopolies.
“It is significant that the DOJ just opened an agriculture and farming specific anti-trust office in their criminal division in Chicago. This shows they are listening to cattle producers and plan to continue to investigate,” Larew said.
Continuing the conversation in D.C.
In September, some Harding County ranchers joined Larew in D.C. for the National Farmers Union Fly-In. South Dakota producers attend this annual event where they get to
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meet one-on-one with congressional leaders and USDA staff to share their story.
“We are passionate about Farmers Union because of the work this organization does for farmers and ranchers,” said 35-year-old Jason Latham.
Jason ranches with his parents, Darwin and Kay. He and his wife, Kaeloni, went to D.C. for the Fly-In. The Lathams worked with Lesmeister and Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union, to organize the western South Dakota tour.
“Working to support our farm and ranch families and getting to meet with them oneon-one during an event like this is the reason I enjoy my job,” Hofhenke said.
Ahead of the meeting, the couple reached out to friends and neighbors, encouraging them to attend the meal and meeting because it would give them an opportunity to get to know Farmers Union better.
“We want our community to know that Farmers Union is working for them. And it is a pretty big deal that the national president made time to visit Harding County,” Jason said. “Most of us out here belong to several agriculture organizations, but very seldom do we get visited by the organization’s national president – if ever.”
During the meal and meeting, Harding County ranchers decided to restart a county Farmers Union organization. Jason was elected President and Kaeloni was elected Secretary. n
By Lura Roti
Union Farmer
CO-OP MONTH
Sioux Valley Energy Invests in Member Communities to Help Them Thrive
Kassie Van’t Hof is one of two new child care providers in Hills, Minn., thanks to an innovative city project Sioux Valley Energy’s REVIVE 2030 and other local cooperatives helped with.
For more than a decade when Keith Elbers drove down Main Street, the mayor of Hills, Minnesota, passed an empty commercial property. It was an eyesore, and it now belonged to the city because its previous owner long ago quit paying property taxes.
Today, thanks to innovative collaboration between the city, Rock County, state agencies, Sioux Valley Energy Cooperative’s REVIVE 2030 program and other local cooperatives, when Elbers drives down Main Street, he sees something completely different.
“I drive by a thriving daycare that will soon have a large playground adjacent,” Elbers explained. “It is nice to see kids being dropped off by their parents in the morning and picked up in the afternoon.”
What changed? Elbers began working with Sioux Valley Energy’s Economic Development & Community Relations Executive Brandon Lane. As part of the electric cooperative’s REVIVE 2030 program, Lane works with member-communities at no cost. He helps them thrive by connecting them to resources to help them accomplish their goals and overcome challenges.
And in Hills, Minnesota, population 700, access to childcare was THE challenge they needed help with.
“We lost four childcare providers in two
years,” Elbers said. “Everyone who lives here, works somewhere else. We had families who did not know what to do.”
Elbers explained that many young families call Hills home because of its exemplary school system, lower housing costs and proximity to
job opportunities in larger communities like Brandon, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Like many rural communities in southwest Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota, Hills depends on Sioux Valley Energy for electricity. Elbers knew that the cooperative had an economic development professional on staff, so he reached out to Lane when he began seeking solutions to his community’s childcare crisis.
Lane encouraged Elbers and the community to think creatively and make use of resources they had – like a vacant commercial space. Lane also helped connect Elbers to funding opportunities, he encouraged the city to fill out grants and to ask other stakeholders for donations.
“It’s my job to find out what a membercommunity wants or needs to thrive and help connect them to the resources and the right people,” explained Lane, who has spent the last 15 years working with nearby rural communities of Brandon and Harrisburg.
“Economic development does not always mean bringing in large industry that will provide 300-plus jobs. It also means improving quality of life with community resources, like childcare or enhancing a community’s identity with a park or lighting for the park,” Lane said.
A good neighbor
“Brandon Lane is another tool in my toolbox. As a small town mayor, I don’t have a lot of time to look for resources,” explained Elbers,
What REVIVE 2030 provides to member communities:
REVIVE 2030 offers (or can provide access to) the following suite of services to communities within the Sioux Valley Energy service territory footprint. Some services may be contracted utilizing matching REVIVE 2030 funding assistance::
• Grant Writing Assistance: Sioux Valley Energy will work with communities on identifying applicable grants, gathering information for the application process and may help a community complete grant applications.
• Community Planning Assistance: Communities needing assistance in planning community projects, exploring funding for those projects and carrying out planning tasks can request assistance from Sioux Valley Energy.
• Strategic Planning Services: Sioux Valley Energy may assist communities and associated economic development organizations with strategic planning for its boards, committees, leaders, etc.
• Education and Networking Opportunities: Sioux Valley Energy may provide education/ training along with networking opportunities for communities and its citizens as it pertains to economic/community development.
• Community Marketing Assistance: Sioux Valley Energy can provide limited marketing design and advertising development to a community to promote the area or an event.
• Event Planning Assistance: Communities needing assistance in planning activities that will benefit the community and its citizens such as summer festivals, downtown community events, parades, etc., can request limited planning assistance from Sioux Valley Energy.
CO-OP MONTH
who balances his volunteer duties as mayor with his full-time career as an auctioneer and real estate agent. “Sioux Valley Energy is part of our community, and this is their way of giving back. It is huge.”
Feedback from listening sessions with communities they serve is the reason Sioux Valley Energy invested in hiring an economic development professional their communities could partner with, explained board president Dan Leuthold, an Ellsworth, Minnesota, cattle producer.
“Our mission is ‘Serving Our Members. Always.’ One of the Cooperative’s guiding principles is community service, so it just felt right to help our communities thrive.”
To understand how they could best serve their members, Sioux Valley Energy hosted community input/listening sessions in 2022.
“Through these community dialogues, we learned communities were not just looking for us to donate money, but they were looking for assistance to keep their communities alive and thriving,” Lane explained.
Amy M. Farr was among the many community members to provide feedback during the first Sioux Valley Energy community listening session. The economic development director for the city of Hartford came away from the session optimistic.
“It was a unique group to collaborate with. They really dug deep to understand the needs of our communities,” Farr explained.
At the time, the community of Hartford wanted an industrial park to inspire businesses to move to town to increase job opportunities and bolster the tax base.
“Today’s companies want shovel-ready locations where all the infrastructure is available so they can come in and just worry about building the building they want. Without an industrial park, they are not interested,” explained Hartford Mayor Arden Jones. “We knew what we wanted, but we did not know how to get there.”
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Working with Eric Foshiem of the Rural Electric Economic Development Fund (REED Fund), Lane helped the city of Hartford gain access to funding opportunities, including a federal Economic Development Administration grant for $1.7 million.
“To have access to an economic development professional from the outside through REVIVE 2030 made all the difference,” Jones said. “It is so important for little towns like us to have an extra person to rely on. Larger cities have large teams of employees who do development.”
The anchor business should break ground in Hartford’s 47-acre North Oaks Industrial Park this fall and two more purchase agreements are in the works.
“Being a part of this community project has been an absolute dream,” Farr said. “I never imagined I would be a part of anything of this scope and magnitude.”
Jones agreed. “This industrial park shows that Hartford is holding true to its mission to help community members live lively here through job opportunities and a tax base that supports infrastructure and schools.”
Kassie’s Clubhouse
To help the community of Hills provide accessible, affordable childcare to families, REVIVE 2030 resource partners helped connect the city to funding sources, like American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. With Sioux Valley Energy’s commitment, Elbers also made an ask to a local agriculture cooperative, New Vision Co-op. The cooperative donated more than $25,000 to help the city with the project.
The renovation converted the drab commercial space into a cheerful space where three inhome providers could operate independently, with a shared laundry and indoor play space.
A third local cooperative also helped make
the daycare a success. Alliance Communications donated a large parcel of vacant land adjacent to the new daycare to be used as an outdoor play space. Sioux Valley Energy also donated funds through its REVIVE 2030 program and its Operation Round Up program for playground equipment.
The city committed to maintaining the indoor and outdoor properties and provide the childcare spaces rent-free as long as the daycare providers pay utilities.
When the city put out a call for daycare providers to move in, hometown girl, Kassie Van’t
Hof was one of two providers to answer the call. The 20-year-old recently returned home after graduating from Southeast Technical College with a degree in business administration. When she arrived in Hills, she did not have a job, so she was living with her parents when she saw the city’s ad for a daycare provider and decided to put her degree and love for children into action by starting her own daycare business.
“Without this space, I would not have started a daycare,” Van’t Hof explained.
Because of REVIVE 2030, dirt is moving in Hartford’s industrial park.
Union Farmer
CO-OP MONTH
Get to Know 2024 Co-Op Hall of Fame Honorees
Don Peterson began acting as the legal counsel to Intercounty Electric Cooperative in 1990. He was an integral part of the merger process with Tri-County Electric Cooperative.
Peterson’s counsel guided Central Electric to address several challenges, including a merger in 2000, the relocation of a new headquarters building in 2012, the hiring of a new general manager in 2015, the creation of Operation Round Up to support nonprofits within their cooperative footprint, the construction of multiple service centers, and provided counsel to help the cooperative navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past 32 years, Peterson has developed a reputation as one of the premier cooperative attorneys and has contributed significantly to economic development throughout our region and state.
Peterson is active in his community of Mitchell. He has served on multiple boards. He has also coached Little League, volunteered for Special Olympics and found time to teach night classes at Dakota Wesleyan University in business/employment law.
For more than 35 years, he has been the key adviser and consultant to the Mitchell Area Development Corporation on every major development project in the Mitchell ommunity.
Peterson and his wife, Cindy, are active in their church, have a 22-year-old son with special needs and are very involved parents.
Ed Mallett joined the cooperative system in May 1982 with GTA, Willow Lake, and Kidder, South Dakota, under their manager trainee program and accepted his first affiliate cooperative general manager position in
1979 under Farmers Elevator, Grover, South Dakota.
Mallett went on to serve as regional director for Farmers Elevator, Circle, Montana, and Harvest States, Watertown, South Dakota, both divisions of CHS.
In July 1997, Mallett accepted a promotion to assistant vice president in Watertown, directing operations of 50 locations. Since that time, he has served as regional vice president for the southern, Midwest and central operations, which grew to supporting the operations and staff at 121 locations across CHS.
Mallett’s strong leadership transformed the company, grew the business and improved operations. The thing about Mallett is that he could see the potential in people, sometimes even before they could see it in themselves. He mentored, developed and coached people to see their own potential, and their careers would flourish.
Mallett also served as a member of the inaugural Board of Technical Education for South Dakota’s four technical colleges. He saw firsthand the impact technical education had on the workforce CHS employed and was a champion to expand those opportunities.
Mallett provided leadership and innovation to drive Cenex Harvest States being the catalyst for the State-of-the-Art Precision AG lab at Lake Area Technical College.
Dennis Rensch was a member of the Madison Farmers Elevator Co. Board of Directors from 1999 until his retirement in 2023. He became president in 2011 and remained president of the board until his retirement in
2023. During his 24 years of service, Rensch played an extremely vital role in the history of the cooperative and was an imperative part of the overall strategic planning for the company.
Over the course of his time at the cooperative, Rensch provided excellent leadership and personal commitment.
His major accomplishments include facilitating a $1.6 million project to upgrade railroad tracks and loadouts, investments into additional bunkers and storage, the purchasing of “BinCity” storage facility in Madison and many more investments that led to success. He was also selected as Dakota State University Honorary Captain in 2018 for the “Ag Bowl” because of his and his family’s contributions to area agriculture.
Rensch and his wife, Donna, have been farming near Ramona, South Dakota, since 1974.
He cares immensely for the success of the cooperative and feels very strongly about the long-term success of Madison Farmers Elevator Co. He has inspired and persuaded others, including other board members and management to act to advance the cooperative system.
He has set the standard for other board members’ longevity for dedication and service to the cooperative. In advancing the cooperative system, he was a part of the decision-making process and strategy that it took for the company to make annual progress and expansion since 2000. n
222024 Cooperative Hall of Fame Honorees: Dennis Rensch, Ed Mallett and Don Peterson.
South Dakota State Fair
Farmers Feed 1,000 State Fair Fairgoers Lunch for 48 Cents
Fair food has a reputation for being fried and expensive. But Aug. 31 during the South Dakota State Fair, fairgoers could buy lunch for only 48 cents – the share farmers and ranchers receive for the ingredients.
“Farmers Share Lunch is an easy and tasty way to educate consumers about the profit challenges family farmers and ranchers face,” explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.
The premiere sponsor of the South Dakota State Fair and the state’s largest agriculture organization, Farmers Union has hosted this Farmers Share Lunch since 2007.
Fairgoer and Huron resident Joy Petersen
says she was surprised to learn how little farmers receive for the food they produce, and grateful that Farmers Union helps inform consumers.
“Some people have no idea what the farmers receive for the food they produce. When I heard their share for a full lunch was only 48 cents I thought, ‘this is so sad’ because I know it costs them a lot to produce the meat and vegetables and milk.”
Reliance rancher David Reis appreciates the effort Farmers Union makes to provide education.
“I think the majority of consumers think most of the money they spend in the grocery store for food goes to farmers or ranchers and the truth is only a very small percentage does,” explained Reis, who together with his wife, Brenda, and their grown children raise cattle. “The Farmers Share Lunch helps explain the reason there are fewer and fewer family farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. Farm and ranch families need to be able to earn an income from the land to feed their own families.”
The Farmers Share Lunch also connects consumers with those who raise their food. Reis is among many South Dakota producers attending the meal at the fair – all proceeds of which go to Make-A-Wish.
To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union works to support South Dakota farm and ranch families, visit www.sdfu.org n By
Lura Roti
Agriculture producers and other property owners were given an opportunity to evaluate the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) candidates during Farmers Union Day at the State Fair. Farmers Union Lobbyist Mitch Richter is pictured here with PUC candidates Kristi Fiegen and Forrest Willson. Candidate Gideon Oakes was unable to attend.
code.
OFFICIAL CONVENTION NOTICE
To: All local and county unions of the South Dakota Farmers Union. Notice is hereby given that the 109th annual convention of the Farmers Union Educational and Cooperative Union of America, South Dakota Division will convene on Dec. 11, 2024 at the Crossroads Hotel & Convention Center in Huron, South Dakota, at 11 a.m. (CT).
Directors from District I, III and VII and delegates and alternates to the National Farmers Union Convention will be elected. Bylaw changes, will also be voted upon and delegates will adopt a policy program. The Convention will remain in session until disposition has been made of all business.
The South Dakota Farmers Union bylaws provide:
“Each chartered county union in good standing shall be entitled to one delegate for 10 dues-paying members or major fraction thereof. Each county president, if not an elected delegate, shall be a delegate ex-of-
ficio to district and state conventions and shall have one vote therein.”
“Credentials must be signed by the president and secretary of the county which such delegates represent and be received by the State Office no later than 5 days prior to the state convention (Dec. 4, 2024), and registered at the venue no later than 8:30 a.m. (CT) on last day of the convention.” The election will be held prior to the first refreshment break on Dec. 12, 2024.
FARMERS EDUCATIONAL AND COOPERATIVE UNION OF AMERICA (SOUTH DAKOTA DIVISION)
Doug Sombke, President Karla Hofhenke, State Secretary-Treasurer
Early Bird – A policy program will be sent out to any delegates that we receive by Dec. 1, 2024.
Joy Petersen was among 1,000 fairgoers to enjoy the SDFU Farmers Share Lunch.
Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director & Doug Sombke, SDFU President hold a check to fund a Wish. All proceeds from the Farmers Share Lunch went to Make A Wish.
essington Springs FFA members won the South Dakota Farmers Union State Fair Farm Safety Quiz Bowl championship, Aug.31 during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair.
“These teens understand the dangers associated with farm and ranch work and how to stay safe – keeping rural youth safe is the goal of this safety quiz bowl,” explained Doug Sombke, SDFU President and fourth-generation Conde farmer. “Most farm and ranch families have been impacted by an accident, so Farmers Union works to educate South Dakota youth so they can make safe decisions.”
Wessington Springs FFA Chapter team members are Addyson Orth, Mariah Messmer, Holden Jackson and Haiden Boschee. Wessington Springs FFA Chapter qualified for the State Fair Quiz Bowl Championships during the 2024 State FFA Convention. Other FFA teams to qualify were Canton FFA Chapter – team members are: Alyssa Richmond, Owen Gard, Jacob Rupe and Conley Winquist; Milbank FFA Chapter – team members are: Nicholas Fonder, Avery Vanoverbeke, Kaden Schweer and Landon Novy; Kimball FFA Chapter – team members are: Gunner Fuegen, Carter Konechne, Gavin Reindl and Joseph Gilbertz.
Due to the rural nature of South Dakota, all teens, whether they live on a farm or ranch or live in town, should understand how to stay safe explained Brady Duxbury, the Agriculture
Education Instructor and Wessington Springs FFA Adviser. “When you consider the fact that agriculture is the third most dangerous career, and the fact that most South Dakota teens will spend time on a farm or ranch, whether it is for a summer job, or they are visiting friends or relatives, so it is surprising to me how little farm safety training we do for our youth,” Duxbury said.
He added that because the quiz bowl is a competition, youth who participate actually spend time studying farm safety. “Teens are always looking for a way to test themselves and compete against their peers,” Duxbury said.
“Keeping rural youth safe is the goal of this safety quiz bowl.”
– Doug Sombke, SDFU President
During the Quiz Bowl, teens are asked a series of safety questions related to operating heavy equipment, application of herbicides, driving all-terrain vehicles and working with livestock.
Because his team qualified for the championship, Canton FFA member JJ Rupe said he thought about farm safety quite a bit as he worked on his family’s farm.
“The contest made me think about some
new aspects of farm safety – like weight limits of an ATV,” Rupe said. Rupe grew up working on his grandparents’ farm and said most of what he knows about farm safety he learned from his Grandpa Denny. “My grandpa got his hand caught in a combine. After that, he got really big into farm safety and telling us what we need to do to be safe.”
The accident happened when Rupe’s mom, Laurie, was a teen. Fortunately, doctors were able to save Denny’s hand.
The Wessington Springs FFA Chapter team members received a cash reward. In addition to the Farm Safety Quiz Bowl, as a premiere sponsor of the South Dakota State Fair, South Dakota Farmers Union also promotes farm safety to thousands of fairgoers through their handson Farm Safety Trailer.
Farm safety is also a focus of the state’s largest agriculture organization’s camp programming that reaches hundreds of rural youth each year. To learn more about how Farmers Union supports rural youth and families, visit www.sdfu.org n By Lura Roti
Editorial Note: Although Platte-Geddes team qualified during the State FFA Convention, the team was unable to compete at the State Fair so Kimball FFA Team competed in their place.
Canton FFA Team Members are Alyssa Richmond, Owen Gard, Jacob Rupe and Conley Winquist.
Kimball FFA Team Members are Gunner Fuegen, Carter Konechne, Gavin Reindl and Joseph Gilbertz.
Milbank FFA Team Members are Nicholas Fonder, Avery Vanoverbeke, Kaden Schweer and Landon Novy.
Wessington Springs FFA Team Members are Addyson Orth, Mariah Messmer, Holden Jackson and Haiden Boschee.
South Dakota State Fair
Union Farmer
South Dakota State Fair
What does Farm to Table mean to Rural Youth?
Rural youth shared what comes to their mind when they hear the words, “farm to table,” competing in the South Dakota Farmers Union Coloring Contest. Contest winners are - Division 1 winners: Braxten Sombke, Groton; Saul Swanson, Pierre; Claudia Aho, Hamlin; Hannah, Centerville; Kendall Boehnke, Tea; Division 2 Winners: Summer Kangas, Hamlin; Addison Johnson, Baltic; Jacob Willprecht, Dell Rapids; Evolet Lopez, Crooks; and Lilyanne Zephier, Wagner.
Braxten Sombke
Claudia Aho
Hannah Wielocha
Kendall Boehnke
Saul Swanson
Addison Johnson
Evolet Lopez
Jacob Willprecht
Lilyanne Zephier
Summer Kangas
Bosten Morehart of Jorgensen Land & Cattle Wins Farmers Union 2024 Photo Contest
When Bosten Morehart read the rules for the 2024 South Dakota Farmers Union Photo Contest and saw that photos needed to be of farmers and ranchers in their element, he knew he had plenty to choose from.
Through his social media work, Morehart takes about 200 photos a week because it’s his job to capture and share the daily stories of Jorgensen Land & Cattle, a fourth-generation family farming and ranching operation near Ideal, South Dakota. The Jorgensen family also operates Lazy J Grand hunting lodge.
“I have become really good at capturing candid moments – when the subject is not paying attention to the camera,” explained Morehart.
A journalism/digital and social media graduate of South Dakota State University, Morehart’s passion for photography began because of a football injury. “I had to have shoulder surgery my senior year, so I was not able to play baseball, but I still wanted to be around my teammates, so I picked up a camera and started taking photos and videos of my teammates and creating social media posts.”
When Morehart accepted the position with Jorgensen Land & Cattle, he had plenty of photography and social media experience, but he did not know much about livestock and farming. He said he’s enjoyed getting a daily behind the scenes look at life on a South Dakota farm and ranch.
“I am learning more and more about agriculture,” Morehart said. “Once I take a photo or video, I will grab someone and ask questions about what is going on so I can learn and put the work into words on social media.”
Morehart’s winning photo captured the moment employee Dylan Donahue put a Gallagher eShepherd Collar on a cow’s neck. This collar enables virtual fencing and enhances grazing management for improved grassland and herd health.
Like all Jorgensen Land & Cattle employees, Morehart begins his week at the employee meeting where work priorities are discussed. “Based on
what the priorities are, I try and figure out what would do best on social media, and I go around and capture every priority as it is happening.”
Because he is new to agriculture, Morehart recognizes the importance of the storytelling work that he does. “A lot of people don’t understand what farmers and ranchers do every day to get food on the table and into the grocery stores – and to help the environment,” Morehart said. “It is really important to show the work that farmers and ranchers do.”
Showcasing the lives and work of South Dakota family farmers and ranchers is the goal of the South Dakota Farmers Union Photo Contest, explained the organization’s Executive Director Karla Hofhenke of the contest that launched in 2020.
“Everyone is impacted by the work our family farmers and ranchers do every day because the work they do feeds us all,” Hofhenke said. “But many do not understand the care and effort that goes into the food they buy, or know the people who raise it. This photo contest is one of many ways Farmers Union works to connect consumers with producers.”
To learn more about South Dakota Farmers Union and see other contest photos, visit www.sdfu.org n By Lura Roti
Use your smartphone camera to scan this QR code and view all photo submissions.
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Farming for the Future Scholarship Invites Students to Advocate for Ag & Compete for College Cash
If you are a student passionate about agriculture and eager to advocate, South Dakota Farmers Union Farming for the Future
Scholarship is an opportunity to compete for cash for college. Scholarship funds of $15,000 will be awarded.
All majors and students who are high school seniors and beyond are welcome to apply. Deadline to enter scholarship contest is Oct. 6.
“South Dakota is full of students who grew up rural and are passionate about agriculture, this scholarship gives them an opportunity to advocate,” explained Samantha Bowman, Education Program Specialist for South Dakota Farmers Union.
$15,000 in Scholarships to be Awarded to Ag Advocates
A social media advocacy contest, Farming for the Future Scholarship is a 7-week challenge, giving away a $100 scholarship prize each week to the challenge winner. Overall winner receives a $3,000 scholarship - with $15,000 in scholarship dollars awarded in total.
“I am excited to see the creative ways students advocate for ag,” Bowman said.
Education and supporting the next generation has been fundamental to South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) since the state’s largest agriculture organization was established in 1914, explained Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director.
“Today’s students are tomorrows farmers, ranchers, agronomists, rural nurses, teachers, electricians, animal nutritionists – these students are our future,” Hofhenke said. “The future of our rural communities depends upon them receiving a quality education and Farmers Union wants to help support their educational journey.”
Enter by Oct. 6
Scholarship winners will be announced weekly on South Dakota Farmers Union Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information visit www.sdfu.org and click on the Scholarship link under the Education Tab.
High school seniors and all majors pursuing two and four-year college degrees and beyond can compete in this scholarship advocacy contest. n By
Lura Roti
Know a student who needs a scholarship? Scan this QR code and text the link to the student. Deadline to enter is Oct. 6.
SDFU members who are seniors in high school or freshman in college that have committed to attend a South Dakota post-secondary institution.
Who can apply? Full-time students pursuing a graduate degree in an accredited agriculture-related field (Research, animal science, ag business, ag education, etc.) and who show a strong interest in working in South Dakota.
More information?
youthprograms/scholarships
nesses, where the investors may not even live in the state. We live in these communities.”
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how REVIVE 2030 can help you thrive, visit siouxvalleyenergy.com and click on the ‘Community and Youth’ tab. n By Lura Roti SVE Continued from Page 7
Van’t Hof recently married and purchased a home with her husband. But she says she plans to keep her daycare in the space provided by the city.
“It is nice to keep my business separate from my home,” Van’t Hof said.
Currently, Van’t Hof and the other provider each care for 10 children. They both have waitlists. The city is seeking one more daycare provider.
Elbers said the city believes by housing the providers, it will be easier to find a new provider if a provider closes their business. The city also believes by keeping the costs minimal, providers can keep their fees affordable for parents.
REVIVE 2030 wants to serve your community
In addition to Hills, Minnesota, and Hartford, South Dakota, since its official launch in ‘20, REVIVE 2030 has worked with several rural member-communities. Additional examples of community-led projects they have helped with include Humboldt, South Dakota -- the program assisted the Humboldt Economic Development Corporation with incorporation paperwork and state EIN paperwork.
In Colton, South Dakota, REVIVE 2030 provided initial capital to the Colton Economic Development Group for the Geraets Housing Addition, along with contract templates for covenants and farm leasing. Lane also helped with sponsorship opportunities for the baseball association.
In Brandon, South Dakota, Sioux Valley Energy Cooperative’s manager of public relations Jay Buchholz serves on the Brandon Development Foundation board, providing guidance and expertise for projects. Buchholz also partnered with the Brandon Development Foundation and Retail Strategies (retail experts that provide assistance to communities) to provide additional support for recruiting commercial/ retail businesses to bolster the local sales tax revenue. Sioux Valley Energy was also a founding supporter of the Corson Development Association in the Brandon area which helped to purchase and develop 117 acres for commercial and industrial use in the early 2000s.
And in Magnolia, Minnesota, REVIVE 2030 provided assistance with grant applications for upgrading the city park’s playground equipment including the addition of ADA-compliant equipment.
“Guided by our ‘Serving Our Members; Always’ mission, the board and leadership team wanted to see what our cooperative could accomplish in a decade,” Leuthold explained. “This is what can happen in cooperatives because the members lead, versus private busi-
If you are a Sioux Valley Energy membercommunity and want to learn more about
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Around the State with Farmers Union
South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.
SDFU is the premier sponsor of the new Sheep Barn being built at the South Dakota State Fair. The groundbreaking was held at the fair this year.
YANKTON COUNTY FAIR
CLAY COUNTY FAIR
ARLINGTON FUN DAYS
BROWN COUNTY FAIR
STATE FAIR SHEEP BARN
Farmers Union Ag Expo Center Connects
Children & Families to Agriculture
The Farmers Union Ag Expo Center opened Aug. 12 at the Brown County Fair. Inside this interactive space, the state’s largest agricul-
ture organization connects South Dakotans who don’t live and work on farms and ranches to the individuals and animals that do.
“Even though agriculture is our state’s No. 1 industry, not many of the farm kids I grew up with became farmers. And this is not a unique story,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union and a fourth-generation Brown County farmer. “As South Dakotans lose their connection to family farms and ranches, it becomes important to educate them on where their food comes from and how it is raised.”
Designed for hands-on learning, the Farmers Union Ag Expo Center is home to a sow and her piglets; chickens and hatching eggs; a cow scheduled to calve during the Brown County Fair, as well as interactive games to teach children and families about where their food comes from – the animals, soil, plants and people who make up South Dakota’s largest industry of agriculture.
“We worked to create a space filled with hands-on exhibits and livestock so that South Dakotans of all ages can engage with agriculture,” said Samantha Bowman, the Education Program Specialist for South Dakota Farmers Union.
Bowman led the collaborative design effort for the 4,800-square-foot building sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union.
“Education has been a focus of our organization for over a century, so this Ag Expo Center aligns with our mission,” said Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director for South Dakota Farmers Union. “As generations of South Dakotans get further away from the farm, they don’t have the opportunity to interact with livestock or crops, so we wanted to create a space where they can.”
Among the state’s largest county fairs, the Brown County Fair welcomes more than 280,000 visitors each year. Located in Aberdeen, the state’s third largest city, Brown County Fair and Park Manager, Rachel Kippley, said this new exhibit just makes sense. Because even though Brown County is among the state’s largest agriculture producing counties, many kids who grow up in Aberdeen don’t have an opportunity to visit a farm.
“Our Fair Board was excited to partner with Farmers Union to bring the Ag Expo Center to our fair,” said Kippley, who also farms with her family. “Connecting consumers to agriculture has always been a part of what happens naturally at the Brown County Fair through our livestock barns and shows. And now with the Farmers Union Ag Expo Center we can be more intentional about providing visitors with information about where their food comes from and who raises it.”
The South Dakota State Fair and the Sioux Empire Fair have facilities similar to the Farmers Union Ag Expo Center. South Dakota Farmers Union said their leadership team is eager to sponsor more ag education spaces at other fairs in the state.
“Educating consumers is among the many ways we work to support family farmers and ranchers,” Sombke said. n By Lura Roti
As Erika Moulsoff watched the Round Robin at the Brown County Fair, she mentioned to her friend that she’d like to show pigs next summer. That’s when her friend shared that there was a contest in the new Farmers Union Ag Expo Center and based on an application, a youth could win a sow and 12 piglets (born during the Brown County Fair).
Erika’s answers won the contest, and she will use the profits from marketing the piglets to purchase show pigs for the 2025 Brown County Fair.
“It is a lot of work caring for a sow and piglets, but I enjoy it – and I can’t wait to show pigs next year,” said Erika, who was eager to show livestock larger than the poultry she has been showing in 4-H.
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protection we need if our crop fails or a blizzard kills our cattle.”
Ryan and his wife, Samantha, were among 26 producers South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) brought to D.C. to share with policymakers how an outdated Farm Bill impacts their farms, ranches, their families and their rural communities.
“These farmers and ranchers came out here and worked as hard as they work at home planting a crop, haying or working cattle – even though they know the possibility of getting a Farm Bill passed this year is slim,” explained Doug Sombke, President of SDFU and a Brown County crop and cattle producer.
Sombke’s thoughts echoed those of National Farmers Union President Rob Larew when he met with members during a morning meeting with officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“This is the perfect time for you to be in D.C. because of the challenges we face,” Larew said. “Input costs are rising, increasing the financial pressures farmers face and weather-related disasters continue to trend upward – we need a Farm Bill now.”
National Farmers Union Vice President and Aberdeen farmer Jeff Kippley agreed, adding, “Commodity drop in the last six months is evidence we have to have safety nets in place for American farmers.” Kippley is also Vice President of SDFU.
The last Farm Bill passed in 2018.
In addition to risk protection programs for crops and livestock, efforts are underway to get Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL) as part of the new Farm Bill.
Because this has long been a policy Farmers Union members have advocated for, members were disappointed when Secretary of Agricul-
Amanda & Jerad Goens, Clear Lake
“We need to advocate for a Farm Bill, first and foremost, because of the uncertainty in the markets. Farmers need some sort of security and that is found in Farm Bill programs.”
ture Tom Vilsack focused on a recent rule that mandates if retailers wish to label meat, it can only carry the Product of the USA or Made in the USA label if meat is born, raised and harvested in the United States.
“This is a step in the right direction, but it is voluntary. Our livestock producers deserve mandatory country-of-origin labeling,” Sombke said.
Urban agreed. “Truth in labeling is not the complete solution,” Urban said. “As livestock producers, we ought to have mandatory labeling because producers in our country produce the best cattle in the world and we should be able to capitalize on our investment in quality.”
Cost-share programs are another aspect of the Farm Bill that Farmers Union members focused on in discussions with policymakers. Many depend on cost-share dollars to help
MEMBER THOUGHTS
Carleyn & Cole Petersen, Eagle Butte
“It is important that policymakers meet ranchers, so they can understand how what they do impacts us and our ability to keep families ranching and farming.”
fund vital infrastructure updates like installation of waterlines and fencing to support rotational grazing and other conservation efforts.
Like so many cattle producers, White River rancher Dustin Schmidt, relies on these costshare dollars to provide necessary water for his livestock. And he helps other ranchers do the same through his business installing waterlines.
“We have very limited water resources. Our dams are few and far between and oftentimes they are stale and muddy and unusable. And wells are not dependable, so we need waterlines and tanks to help utilize and disperse grazing rotation systems,” Schmidt said.
A member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Schmidt has traveled to D.C. to advocate for agriculture before. He started his cattle operation from scratch and if in the future his sons want to raise cattle, he hopes to help them get
Samantha & Ryan Urban, Pukwana
“It is scary to think about how much it costs to farm these days. Advocating to pass the Farm Bill will help ensure the stability of farming because of the risk management programs it provides.”
Scan with smartphone camera to access Fly-In TV & radio news stories.
started. “We need to support our livelihoods and stick up for ourselves. If we don’t fight, advocate and educate for ourselves, no one else will,” Schmidt said.
Clear Lake farmer Amanda Goens agreed. “It is so important for policymakers to hear our personal stories. Understand that we are real people and the challenges we face as farmers are real.”
When Amanda and her husband, Jerad, met with policymakers, they shared the impact low crop and commodity prices have on their young family and their rural community.
“There is so much uncertainty in the markets, we need the security found in the Farm Bill because like so many other young producers, we do not have the capital necessary to cover input costs, so we need these risk management programs in order for our bankers to back us,” Jerad explained.
The Goens have three young children and like most family farmers and ranchers, they depend on Amanda’s off-farm income to cover groceries, health insurance, daycare and other daily essentials.
“I worry about these young producers,” said Wayne Soren, a Lake Preston farmer and the former Vice President of SDFU. “I thought the hurdles we had to overcome when I was a young producer during the Farm Crisis of the ‘70s and ‘80s were something, but at least we could repair our own tractors. We need to figure things out if we want the next generation to thrive.”
In addition to passing a Farm Bill, ensuring farmers have the right to repair their own equipment and choose who repairs their equipment was also top of mind and conversations with policymakers.
“I recently had a sprayer engine that needed a new injector. I can replace the injector, but I need to hook up to a special computer in or-
Angie & Zane Reis, Oacoma
“We are here advocating for the way of life we love and preserving this way of life for our kids. This is why we do what we do – for our kids.”
der for the new injector to work,” explained De Smet farmer Rob Lee, when he met with a staff member of a representative from Oregon.
On a similar topic, Aberdeen farmer Kirk Schaunaman encouraged the same staffer to support efforts to protect farmers’ proprietary field data gleaned by precision farming technology.
As the meeting wrapped up, the staff person thanked the South Dakota farmers for meeting with her. “Our boss appreciates the work farmers do as stewards of the land, so she always likes working with Farmers Union members.”
When meeting with Congressional staff, South Dakota farmers and ranchers broke into small teams. Beresford farmer and SDFU board member Larry Birgen led the team Lee and Schaunaman were on. Participating in NFU FlyIns for years, Birgen said the need to advocate does not go away.
“It seems like there is always an issue we need to address. This year it is asking to get a new Farm Bill passed,” Birgen explained. “I enjoy hearing what experienced farmers like Kirk and younger farmers like Rob have to say when we meet with policymakers.”
During the Fly-In, Farmers Union members had the opportunity to meet with Sen. John Thune and Rep. Dusty Johnson. During these
MEMBER THOUGHTS
Dustin Schmidt, White River “We need to support our livelihoods and stick up for ourselves. If we don’t fight, advocate and educate for ourselves, no one else will.”
meetings, getting Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL) into the Farm Bill topped the priorities discussed.
Support for MCOOL from South Dakota’s policymakers is strong.
“Lord knows we have labeling on everything except what is on the center of our plate,” Thune said.
However, optimism they would be able to get a Farm Bill to pass during the 2024 session was low.
“I am frustrated we do not have a Farm Bill all tied up,” Johnson said.
During the conversation with Johnson, Oren Lesmeister, a Parade rancher and SDFU board member, asked if the representative would support the Department of Justice if their investigations into the meatpackers proves antitrust violations.
“Rep. Johnson would not commit to anything at all,” Lesmeister said.
The Department of Justice investigation into the meatpackers began after department leaders met with Farmers Union members during the 2022 NFU Fly-In.
“It is eye-opening and great to hear we have a voice,” said Carleyn Petersen, who ranches with her husband, Cole, near Eagle Butte. The Petersens have three children and said their children are the reason they made time for the Fly-In.
“We want to keep our ranch going for the next generation,” said Cole. “It is important to share our stories with policymakers, so they understand how what they do impacts us.”
To learn more about the 2024 Farmers Union Fly In, see photos, watch videos and listen to news stories from South Dakota family farmers and ranchers, visit www.sdfu.org n By Lura Roti
Kaeloni & Jason Latham, Camp Crook
“We live in the middle of a very rural South Dakota county, so we need help sharing our stories so we can have policy that helps family farmers and ranchers.”
South Dakota members, Aeriel Eitreim and Chaz Blotsky serve in elected positions on the Farmers Union National Youth Advisory Council.
Department of Justice Gives Update to Cattle Producers During Farmers Union Fly-In
The Department of Justice is committed to seeking justice for American livestock producers.
“If we are not fighting to protect our family farmers, what are we doing,” asked Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Jonathan Kanter when he met with family farmers and ranchers on Capitol Hill to give them an update on the on-going investigation into the meatpacking industry during the 2024 National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In.
“We have done a lot, but we need to do more,” Kanter said. “Agriculture and farming have been a huge priority for us, and I am here to say it will remain a huge priority for us going forward and that is because the consequences
of concentration in agriculture ripple out – it affects everything.”
Kanter went on to share that through conversations with family farmers and small, rural business owners he has a clear understanding of the impact financial struggles in agriculture have on rural communities.
“Small farmers face powerful monopolies everywhere. Farmers can’t catch a break, and thousands everywhere are forced to give up and shut down the family farm,” Kanter said.
“Those losses start to add up and each one is truly the American Dream disappearing. They spiral. Small towns struggle to survive. Schools shrink. Independent pharmacies lose buyers. Corner stores vanish. Hospitals close and our
“The destruction of the local family farm leads to destruction of our rural communities. If we want thriving rural economies… then we need thriving family farms.”
– Jonathan Kanter, Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust
communities suffer. The destruction of the local family farm leads to the destruction of our rural communities.
“If we want thriving rural economies…then we need thriving family farms,” Kanter said.
Kanter went on to discuss the actions the Department of Justice (DOJ) has implemented to back his words.
Actions speak louder than words
• In 2023, the DOJ sued Agri Stats for operating extensive information exchanges among meat processors
• DOJ collaborates with USDA to enforce Packers & Stockyards Act
• 2024 DOJ expands Chicago DOJ team of
Continued on Page 26
FUEL Prepares Young Leaders to Visit About Ag Policy
Late August, in a Buffalo café surrounded by friends and neighbors, Harding County ranchers, Kaeloni and Jason Latham helped restart the Harding County Farmers Union.
Although they lead full lives – the couple has three young sons and they both work full time – Jason ranches with his dad, Darwin, and Kaeloni is the office manager for a local construction company – they said “yes” to Farmers Union because of their experience as members of the 2024 Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership (FUEL) Program.
“Saying ‘yes’ when we were asked if we wanted to participate in FUEL is the best thing we could do,” Jason said. “It put us in a position to do good work for our ranching community that we otherwise would not be able to do.”
Kaeloni agreed, adding, “FUEL gave us an opportunity to take an in-depth look at Farmers Union and we realized, we pay dues to several ag organizations, but of all the organizations we are members of, Farmers Union gives us the loudest voice. And they give us the tools we need to make a difference.”
Sponsored by Farmers Union Enterprises, the organization which oversees Farmers Union Industries, FUEL is designed to strengthen young producers’ leadership and communication skills. FUEL seminars are held throughout the year.
“Looking to the future of agriculture and Farmers Union organization, we need to actively prepare the next generation of leaders,” said Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director. “This is the reason we invest in a variety of educational programs for members of all ages.”
Clark farmer and SDFU board member Gail Temple added, “anytime we can support opportunities that provide ag producers with in-depth, information on advocating or other leadership training it is a good idea because the more comfortable they are with advocating or speaking in public the better able they are to be leaders in their rural communities and in the
agriculture industry.”
Preparing FUEL participants to advocate for the policy they need to succeed on their family farms and ranches was the focus of the most recent workshop held two days before the 2024 National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In. Along with the Lathams, Chaz Blotsky, a rancher from Hidden Timber, also participates in FUEL.
“The workshops focused on how to best share our stories and conduct our meetings with policymakers,” Blotsky explained. “We actually practiced meeting with different types of people based on how receptive they were to our policy asks – those who agree, those on the fence and those who do not agree. The chance to practice prepared me and calmed my nerves. If I had not had this practice, I would have sat quietly. Because of this, I was able to speak up and advocate for what our family ranch needs.”
Reflecting on their Fly-In meetings with
Jason and Kaeloni Latham (far right) advocate together with Doug Sombke, SDFU President (far left) and Clear Lake farmers Amanda and Jerad Goens.
Chaz Blotsky and Sen. John Thune
Jonathan Kanter
2024 Photo Contest Entries
Amanda Goens
Bosten Morehart
Bosten Morehart
Caitlin Serr
Caitlin Serr
Calli Williams
Calli Williams
Calli Williams
Hadlee Holt
Johnny Stahl
Laine DeJong
Laine DeJong
Laine DeJong
Laine DeJong
Laine DeJong
Lillian Jung
Lindsey Cain
Lisa Rossow
Lisa Rossow
Noelle Heuer
Patti Johnson
Sam Swanson
Sam Swanson
Shantel Knippling
Shari Evenson
Shari Evenson
Shelby Wieseler
Shelby Wieseler
Shelby Wieseler
Tara Peterson
Vicki Soren
Vicki Soren
WINNING PHOTO: Bosten Morehart Vicki Soren
Bosten Morehart
So Much for the End of The Cold War
Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition
Do we laugh or cry when we hear the president of the American Petroleum Institute (API) say the “Cold War” between ethanol and oil is over as the two industries are “uniting” to fight EVs? Having a common foe is not “uniting.” Ethanol can make up for failures in the EV sector and do it by replacing the harmful components in gasoline. And while this insinuation of a cozy relationship is being bandied about, the petroleum industry is keeping lawsuits going that now have them jumping for joy as the U.S. Court of Appeals has overturned the EPA denial of small refinery waivers from 2022.
In a Radio Iowa interview, API says they have ended their opposition to year-round E15, as if it is some great and grand gesture and when you hear them say it, it is almost as if they are waiting for applause, or perhaps a thank you – how nice of them to allow competition. Now, you may hear objections that the API for the most part represents the retail end of the business and the real opposition is coming from the refiners through the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Association.
And I get that – the oil industry is not monolithic and there are plenty of companies using ethanol and supporting it, but their trade associations have in fact been mortal enemies to ethanol, fighting against every drop. The small refinery waiver issue is just one example but a particularly bitter one. The law allows for a waiver if a refinery can demonstrate significant economic harm from the RFS. Waivers have been granted, overturned, granted again and overturned again. This most recent decision
reverses the last denial of ’22 waiver requests. It is not clear yet how many gallons of ethanol will be affected but it is not an insignificant amount. So here we go again with the ethanol industry now having to take legal action and use up political capital.
This whole waiver issue has always puzzled me. The refineries claim the hardship is that they have to purchase RINS, which have varied greatly but only in rare instances have been more than the price of a gallon of ethanol. It is their choice to not buy and use ethanol. If they did, they would enjoy the margins that come from ethanol costing less than gasoline. So, they don’t want to buy ethanol and they don’t want to buy a RIN, then they scream from the rooftops that it is causing great economic harm. The lower price of a gallon of ethanol they could buy not only has that positive margin, but it frees up a gallon of gasoline that they can then sell, also at a profit margin.
It’s worth remembering that the U.S. Congress passed the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) —twice—as an energy, environmental and economic stimulus program. In doing so, it codifies that it is the policy of the United States, for the good of the country, to require a modest mix of renewables into our transportation fuels. In light of this fact, the calculus for granting any waiver should be extremely rigorous.
Since the advent of the RFS, I have always felt a great analogy in terms of policy are the many requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Among many other provisions, it requires most buildings to provide wheelchair acces-
sibility and other similar improvements. Would we stand by if building owners refused to provide such improvements simply because they said it cost too much? That it’s inconvenient? That they don’t like it? What’s next – refusing to pay taxes? Not stopping at red lights?
The RFS has done everything and more it was intended to do. For all the moaning and groaning we hear about high gas prices, ethanol has kept those prices from being far worse. If EPA let us blend at higher levels it would be even better. I traveled through rural Pennsylvania last month and saw E15 consistently 20-25 cents lower than E10. And both were 70 cents or more lower than E-zero.
But back to the cold war. I view the API statements with great skepticism. These same Pennsylvania stations that literally make the case for ethanol as a lower-cost fuel were also advertising “Ethanol Free Gas” with huge signs, and we see that throughout the country. In the interview, the API president said they want to, “Ensure American consumers have access to the fuels that they depend on every single day.” Well, we have been trying to have access to E15 and higher blends for decades. In fact, the fuels that we “depend on” are increasingly premium fuels that an E2030 could provide at a much lower cost than they can.
So I would not sell my winter coat quite yet, the “Cold War” is far from over and when the petroleum industry stops suing over every ethanol initiative (a new one was just filed in August to block cellulosic ethanol volumes), maybe we can take them at their word. n
Union Farmer
September is always a busy month on Capitol Hill when Congress returns from the annual August district work period. When lawmakers arrived back in Washington, hundreds of family farmers and ranchers were waiting for them with a message: It’s time to pass the farm bill..
NFU hosted the annual Fall Legislative Fly-In from September 9-11. Almost every year since 1909, we have gathered in the nation’s capital to lobby for a fairer, more equitable food and agricultural system. With the since-extended 2018 Farm Bill nearing its next expiration date, family farmers and ranchers showed up in full force to make their voices heard.
2024 NFU FALL LEGISLATIVE FLY-IN: A RECAP
Nearly 300 Farmers Union members from across the country descended on Washington to advocate for a 2024 Farm Bill and Fairness for Farmers. Throughout the week, members attended over 250 congressional meetings, met with leadership from key federal agencies, and visited with senior White House and Administration officials and staff.
The fly-in events started with a briefing from Agriculture Department officials at USDA’s Jefferson Auditorium. Secretary Vilsack spoke about the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to create new opportunities for family farmers and ranchers and building a strong, secure, and resilient food system. Secretary Vilsack has always made time to answer questions from Farmers Union members and he did so once again and spent nearly two hours with us.
Following the Secretary’s remarks, members heard from Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie, and Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. NFU President Larew and FSA Administrator Ducheneaux signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to address staffing levels and improve customer service at USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county-level offices.
NFU and FSA will work together to gather feedback on the experiences of family farmers and ranchers when interacting with FSA staff and the programs they deliver. Farmers Union members have worked hard for years to bring this issue to the forefront. This MOU represents NFU’s and USDA’s shared commitment to collaborate on practical solutions so that FSA offices deliver efficient and effective programs for family farmers and ranchers.
In a briefing on Monday afternoon at the Kennedy Caucus Room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, members heard from high ranking officials from the Biden-Harris Administration and the Senate Agriculture Committee. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan spoke to the group and discussed how the FTC is promoting and requiring competition in agriculture and the food system. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter highlighted how the Department of Justice is strengthen antitrust enforcement against corporate consolidation. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan offered remarks on how his agency is helping farmers and ranchers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, and protect the
environment. Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee John Boozman (R-AR) also offered his perspectives on the timing and process for authorization of a five-year farm bill before the end of the year.
On the Wednesday of Fly-in, 85 members attended a briefing at the White House for a discussion to learn about the progress being made on the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy accomplishments. and provide perspective on the issues facing family farmers and ranchers across the country.
But the main events of Fly-in are always when Farmers Union members converge on Capitol Hill to lobby Members of Congress and their staff for swift action on a farm bill. NFU’s 2024 Fly-In priorities include passing a strong farm bill that promotes competition, strengthens the farm safety net, and empowers farmers to address climate change and soil health.
Members also urged lawmakers to protect the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) rulemakings from undue interference, defend funding for DOJ antitrust enforcement, and guarantee the right to repair; support pathways and promotion of higher-level blends of ethanol and advanced biofuels; and freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) while pursuing broader agricultural workforce reforms.
Though Fly-In is officially over, our members left their mark throughout Washington spreading our message, gathering information, and creating new opportunities for NFU. In the weeks ahead, NFU’s Government Relations team will be following up with congressional offices and agency officials to build upon the important work Farmers Union members accomplished throughout the fly-in.
PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT: “UNFAIR PRACTICES” RULE DEVELOPMENTS
Amidst the fly-in activities, NFU finalized and submitted comments to USDA on the “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets” proposed rule, also known as the “unfair practices” rule. This rule is the fourth in the series of rulemakings USDA has undertaken to strengthen enforcement of the P&S Act.
The rule proposes a framework for evaluating “unfair practices” claims under section 202(a) of the P&S Act, including a framework for evaluating harms to a market participant (or participants), and another framework for evaluating harms to markets.
NFU’s comments commended USDA for advancing the rule and asked the department to ensure the final rule delivers robust and durable protections for family livestock producers when they are injured by meatpackers, poultry integrators, or other regulated entities. NFU expressed strong support for the proposed rule but also outlined areas needing clarification, adjustment, and strengthening.
NFU’s comments asked USDA to make more explicit that unfair practice claims under the P&S Act should not require a farmer to demonstrate harm to competition to prove injury or likelihood of injury; recommended USDA clarify and strengthen provisions in the rule with respect to justifications based on countervailing benefits; requested outright prohibition of cross-market balanc-
Rob Larew
National Farmers Union President
ing; and expressed concern that the rule excludes a regulatory framework for section 202(b) of the P&S Act on undue preferences and advantages.
Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) weighed in to support USDA’s rule, with a unanimous 5-0 vote from the commissioners in favor of submitting their comment, especially notable given the bipartisan composition of the FTC’s commissioners. USDA utilized standards in the FTC Act when constructing the proposed rule, and FTC’s comments bolster the rationale for finalizing the rule based on the proposed framework.
NFU will be monitoring closely as USDA undertakes the process of reviewing nearly 5,000 public comments received on this proposed rule. A fifth P&S Act rulemaking on price discovery and transparency in fed cattle markets is currently being written by USDA, but its timeline for being proposed remains uncertain.
In addition to public comments, NFU issued an action alert on the proposed rule, encouraging Farmers Union members to sign a petition in support of the proposed rule, while urging USDA to ensure family farmers and ranchers have strong protections from unfair practices by corporate monopolies in the livestock sector. Farmers Union members can expect more opportunities to make their voices heard on this issue in the weeks and months ahead.
FARM BILL STATUS – POST FLY-IN
The current farm bill, operating under last year’s extension, expires on September 30. It is certain a full reauthorization will not happen prior to the deadline, as Congress is set to leave town until after the November elections. However, the impacts of the farm bill expiration will not be felt until after the first of the year, which means lawmakers still have a window to pass a new farm bill before the 118th Congress ends.
There are indications the “Four Corners” – the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees – are poised to fire up negotiations on a farm bill that can pass both chambers by the end of the year.
A memo from House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (R-GA), which was published in Agri-Pulse, highlighted the “small window of opportunity to broker a deal” for a compromise bill to pass during the upcoming lame-duck session (between the conclusion of the November elections and the next session of Congress). NFU is among the leaders of the campaign, “Farm Bill for America’s Families,” a broad coalition of farm bill stakeholder groups pushing for Congress to get the farm bill done this year.
However, there remain disagreements that need hashing out. A major point of contention is the CBO’s late summer score of the House farm bill, more specifically the savings from the restrictions on the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). CBO’s estimate on those savings is far below Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) estimates. The future of the climate-smart agriculture funds from the Inflation Reduction Act also remains a sticking point, as well as restrictions on the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). n Current as of September 25, 2024
Union Farmer
From the President.... Fair Prices in Ag Should Concern Everyone
Iam fired up as our family heads into harvest 2024.
Once again grain prices are down. And cattle prices are not what they should be.
While farm income is down 26 percent this year–a 20-year low, inputs haven’t changed since 2023… if anything prices have gone up. And the family farmers and ranchers – the people doing the work –are not in control of the markets. Corporations are.
Fair prices for farmers and ranchers are something everyone should care about because corporate consolidation is a problem for all Americans. It’s the reason our input costs continue to increase. And the reason the farmer share remains so low while grocery store prices continue to rise.
Widespread corporate consolidation was the focus of Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan’s talk when she met with us on Capitol Hill during our recent D.C. Fly-In. It is also the focus of a Sept. 22 “60-Minutes” interview I watched Sunday night.
She gets it.
So does the Department of Justice Antitrust Division. Jonathan Kanter, the Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, also met with us during the D.C. Fly-In. He and his team amped up their investigation into consolidation among the meatpackers after meeting with Farmers Union in 2022.
Farmers Union first met with DOJ in 2022 because we needed their help.
Exposing the impact taking competition out of the marketplace has been a focus of Farmers Union for generations as we speak out and fight for family farmers and ranchers. Policy that supports fair prices has been a focus since our organization began more than a century ago.
Thankfully, the DOJ listened. During his talk, Kanter said, “We have done a lot, but we need to do more. Agriculture and farming have been a huge priority for us, and I am here to say it will remain a huge priority for us going forward and that is because the consequences of concentration in agriculture ripple out – it affects everything.”
Hearing leaders from the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice understand the root problem impacting family farmers and ranchers is encouraging. When we met with the Secretary of Agriculture, his message to us was
not very market based. Matter of fact, it was more government subsidy based. I’m sorry Mr. Secretary but farmers and ranchers want a price from the market that is fair and just. We should not be content with subsidies from renewable energy. Yes, we can help enormously in the climate change dilemma and we should be rewarded for it, but it should not be a replacement for lost markets!
I was offended. If Ford wasn’t making money selling pickups, would a government official try to encourage the truck manufacturer by saying at least they can live off the subsidies they are getting from electric vehicles?
Farmers Union will not be placated. We will continue to fight for policy that supports fair prices.
During the same meeting, the Secretary of Agriculture did not sound optimistic about getting MCOOL in the Farm Bill, reminding us of the Product of the USA rule. Yes, it should be illegal to mislabel a product. Yes, this is a positive step forward. But we will continue to advocate for mandatory country-of-origin labeling because this is what our livestock producers deserve. This is the policy we have in place.
When it comes to policy, know that your voice was heard in D.C. The family farmers and ranchers who were on the Fly-In asked for a Farm Bill that includes MCOOL and they shared how low prices impact their families and rural communities.
Each year Farmers Union brings members to D.C. to advocate because we cannot afford to let somebody else tell our story. The issues we are fighting for today are too important.
Remember the issues that impact your family farms and ranches when you vote this November. Your vote is another way to make your voice heard.
Want to watch “60-Minutes” interview with the FTC Chair? Use your smartphone camera to scan this QR code.
South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes eight times per calendar year, with issues printed in January, February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September/ October and November/December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D.
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Contact NFU National Farmers Union 20 F Street NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001
Rob Larew, President ~ Jeff Kippley, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org
Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union
Doug Sombke, SDFU President
Union Farmer
Growing up the family joke was that Collin Palmer would become an insurance agent.
“I grew up on my grandpa’s ranch and Grandpa always said I should sell insurance so I would have enough time to ride horses and rodeo,” shared Palmer, a rodeo athlete and the new Farmers Union Insurance Agent for the Bison agency.
Get to Know the Collin Palmer Agency, Bison
Palmer’s grandpa is Lonnie Krause, and he raises Quarter Horses on the family’s ranch near Bison. The ranch is also where Palmer has his insurance office today.
A 2022 business administration/marketing and social media graduate of Black Hills State University, Palmer competed in tie down roping and team roping on the collegiate rodeo team. Today, when he has spare time, he continues to compete on the amateur circuit.
New to the insurance business, Palmer doesn’t have a lot of spare time right now. But he does see many parallels between his favorite sport and new career. “Unlike basketball or other sports, in rodeo you not only get to know the athletes you are competing against, but you get to know their families,” Palmer explained. “You know each other so well that when someone needs a hand, there is always someone stepping up to help. With insurance, it is important to get to know your customers well so that you understand what their needs are, and you can help them have the coverage they need to protect their assets.”
In order to get to know his customers and their needs, Palmer spends much of his time out in the field making home and ranch visits.
“I love the fact that as an insurance agent I am not tied to a desk
DOJ Continued from Page 20
attorneys dedicated to enforcing laws related to agriculture
“If we are not going to fight for fairness, if we are not going to fight for competition for our family farmers, we might as well pack up and go home,” Kanter said. “So, not only are we going to do it, but we are going to do it better, going to do it bigger and going to do it stronger.”
Use your smartphone camera to scan to learn more about DOJ efforts.
South Dakota Cattle Producers in the Room Kanter first met with Farmers Union members during the 2022 D.C. Fly-In. National Farmers Union organized the meeting and because space was limited, they prioritized attendance to livestock producers.
The meeting was scheduled to be brief – 5 minutes to be exact – National Farmers Union President Rob Larew recounted in his introduction of Kanter, but after a few cattle producers shared their testimonies of how packer concentration impacted their lives and livelihoods, Kanter cleared his schedule. Instead of the 5 minutes, the initial meeting lasted two hours.
“I was in the room for that first meeting two years ago and the work the Department of Justice has been doing for cattle producers since that
all day – yes there is a lot of time that I spend doing paperwork –but I spend a lot of time out meeting with customers and making sure they have the coverage they need.”
Along with serving as an insurance agent, Palmer also partners with his brother, Conner, to raise cattle on his grandpa’s ranch. Because he grew up on his grandpa’s ranch, Palmer understands the devastation a storm can cause or a baler fire. And he wants to make sure the families he serves have the coverage they need.
“It’s my job to help minimize risk of loss when they have a terrible accident or a bad storm comes through.” n By
Lura Roti
Contact: Collin Palmer
605-244-7431 • Collin.palmer@fumic.com
“I was in the room for that first meeting two years ago and the work the Department of Justice is doing for cattle producers is impressive.”
– Scott Kolousek, Wessington Springs Cattle Producer & SDFU Board Member
time is impressive,” said Wessington Springs cattle producer Scott Kolousek. Kolousek also serves as a board member for South Dakota Farmers Union.
“I am optimistic that the DOJ will get something done to protect us from antitrust issues with the packers.”
Getting something done to protect against antitrust violations among packers is important to American cattle producers, explained Zane Reis, a fifth-generation cattle producer.
“They control the markets and we are at their mercy. And this is not just a cattle producer problem – it impacts consumers too,” Reis said. “Let me give you an example. In 2014 our calves sold for $1,600 right off the cow. Meat prices in the grocery store went up too. The next year we got $750 for our calves, right off the cow. But guess what, the packers charged the retailers the same amount and the price for meat in the grocery store remained high.”
Zane raises cattle with his wife, Angie, his siblings and parents, David
Thank You
Thank you to the South Dakota Farmers Union for the prizes we won and for another great “Farmers Share” meal at the S.D. State Fair.
Keep up the great work in advocating for South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers!
Terry & Eileen Sestak Tabor, SD District #1 Members
ORDER YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FARMERS UNION CENTENNIAL COOKBOOK
Cookbooks are $10 plus tax and shipping. Call 605-352-6761 or email sdfu@sdfu.org to place your order today!
COOK’S CORNER
Snickers Salad
1 sm. pkg. vanilla instant pudding
1 c. skim milk
8 oz. tub of whipped topping
Farmers Union member Brad Greenway was named 2024 Eminent Leader in Agriculture, Family and Community by SDSU Colleges of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and Education and Human Sciences.
4 lg. apples cut in bite-size pieces (I use Red Delicious) ½ of an 11 oz. pkg. of Snickers
Mix pudding with milk then with the whipped topping. Cut Snickers into bite-size pieces. Add the Snickers and apples right before serving. Serves 4 to 6 people.
Continued from Page 26
and Brenda Reis. David also attended the D.C. Fly-In Capitol Hill meeting and heard the DOJ update. In 2023, David Reis was among a group of South Dakota cattle producers SDFU asked to travel to D.C. to meet with DOJ staff and policymakers to discuss packer concentration.
And during the 2023 SDFU State Convention, Michael Kades, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Antitrust Division at the DOJ, traveled to South Dakota and gave an update. During his trip to South Dakota, Kades collaborated with SDFU to attend a livestock auction and tour feedlot operations.
As David considers his children’s and grandchildren’s interest in continuing the family ranch and tradition of cattle production in South Da-
kota, he is hopeful that the DOJ’s efforts will mitigate packer concentration and create fair livestock markets for producers and consumers.
“I was very impressed that they are adding another 200 attorneys to focus on this issue, because from what we were told, the packers have a large group of lobbyists working for them,” David said. “Cattle producers need fair markets. You know, when I was a young producer in the ‘70s, the rancher got about 34 percent of what beef was selling for in the grocery store. Today, we get maybe 15 percent of what it is selling for in the grocery store. And our input costs have gone up significantly since the’70s.”
To learn more about the work South Dakota Farmers Union is doing to get fair markets for family farmers and ranchers, visit www.sdfu. org. n By Lura Roti
Union Farmer
Continued from Page 20
policymakers, Kaeloni and Jason agreed that being prepared was key.
“I learned that even if someone agrees with you, we need to make the ask that they help us advocate for what we need,” Kaeloni said. “We live in the middle of a very rural South Dakota county, and we need their help sharing our stories so we can have policy that helps family farmers and ranchers.”
To learn more about FUEL, contact Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director, SDFU at Karla@ sdfu.org. n By Lura Roti
