CHEERS-a column by SD Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones

An Ear to the Ground

By Walt Bones, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture

CHEERS

Thursday, December 13, 2012

It seems that our Holiday Season has been commandeered by the “Fiscal Cliff” discussions in Washington, DC. I’m not sure who “Cliff” is but judging by the rhetoric I hear, they must be referencing Cliff Clavin the infamous know-it-all from the “Cheers” program. He always had this penchant for coming up with some of the most obscure facts at the most (in)opportune moment. He may have not been fast enough on the buzzer for the “Jeopardy” show, but he surely was armed with a plethora of facts, figures, and numbers.

I think the discussion is really simple and the answer is one that our State and our farmers and ranchers have figured out a long time ago . . . . you can’t spend more than you earn.  No credible lending institution would allow us to spend 140 percent of what we earn while we try to manage 640% of our annual earnings hanging over us as outstanding debt.  This pattern is not sustainable.

I appreciate the efforts of our Senate and House Agriculture committees.  Even though we have not come up with total consensus, they have streamlined some programs, eliminated others and proposed millions of dollars in cost saving cuts that will provide for an adequate level of funding.  Our forefathers taught us a long time ago that tough decisions must be made in tough times.  If all the other Departments in Washington, DC exerted the same effort and diligence, I think the discussion would be totally different.  But, since the percentage of the Federal Budget that goes to support production agriculture and conservation is only one half of one percent, our overall impact though admirable, is fairly minimal.

Agriculture is the rock that provides a firm foundation for not only the State of South Dakota, but for our country as well.  That rock is made out of our farmers and ranchers that take care of business, the land, their livestock, the wildlife, and the environment. 

I am eternally grateful, humbled, and honored to serve as your Secretary of Agriculture. As we turn the calendar from 2012 to 2013, I thank you for all you do and wish you a blessed Holiday!

Walt

South Dakota Department of Agriculture Welcomes New Agricultural Development Director

For Immediate Release: Dec. 12, 2012

Media Contact: Jamie Crew, 605.773.4073 

South Dakota Department of Agriculture Welcomes New Agricultural Development Director

 

PIERRE, S.D.—Paul Kostboth has been hired as the new Agricultural Development Director for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA).

“I am grateful for the invitation from Agriculture Secretary Walt Bones to join SDDA and excited to be working with him and the rest of the SDDA team promoting South Dakota’s number-one industry,” said Kostboth.

Kostboth grew up on his family’s farm in Canistota, SD. He graduated from Dakota State University in 2001 with a degree in business finance.

In January of 2002, Kostboth was hired by the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) to help finish creating a new statewide homebuyer education program. At the end of his first year, he was given the opportunity to oversee the Governor’s House Program with SDHDA.

“In both previous jobs and private business ventures, I have always enjoyed being challenged and continuously working to improve,” said Kostboth. “I look forward to those same types of opportunities here at SDDA.”

Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SD Dept. of Ag and SD FSA Distribute Hay To Drought-Impacted Producers

For Immediate Release: Dec. 4, 2012

Media Contact: Jamie Crew, 605-773-4073

SD Dept. of Ag and SD FSA Distribute Hay To Drought-Impacted Producers

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and South Dakota Farm Service Agency have distributed about 200 tons of donated Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) hay to state livestock producers whose pastures were adversely affected by this year’s wildfires.

“We thank all those who were involved and hope to use this system again in the future,” said state  Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones.

The Farm Service Agency, producers across the state and South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) staff helped distribute the donated hay to drought-impacted farmers and ranchers who applied by the September deadline or had contacted SDDA.

The hay was to be destroyed per USDA-FSA CRP contracts but was donated to SDDA for distribution to producers impacted by this year’s drought.  Producers who participate in the CRP program are usually asked to destroy hay that is baled because they are compensated monetarily for managing those acres.

“With this summer’s extreme drought conditions, hay is scarce,” Bones said. “Donation of this CRP hay will hopefully lighten the burden on a few of the livestock producers here in South Dakota.”

Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Dates for Key Leader Roundtable Committees in!

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 12:30-5 p.m., Pierre-Value Added Processing Committee in the SDDA Conference Room.

Monday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Pierre-Water, Natural Resources and Energy Committee at Matthews Training Center in the Joe Foss Building

Monday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mitchell-Infrastructure and Zoning Committee

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1-5 p.m., Pierre-Education and Youth Committee at GF&P Conference Room,2nd Floor, Joe Foss Building

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1-5 p.m., Pierre-Livestock Development Committee at Pierre Extension Office.

Stay tuned for meeting minutes!

South Dakota Department of Agriculture Participates in National Honey Bee Survey

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEW RELEASE                          

                                                                                                   For Immediate Release: Nov.30,2012

                                                                                         Media Contact: Brad Berven, 605-773-4432 

Bob Reiners, 605-773-3796

South Dakota Department of Agriculture Participates In

National Honey Bee Survey

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) has participated since 2011 in a national honey bee survey of pests and diseases. 

The objective of the survey is to attempt to identify or document any potentially invasive bee diseases, parasites or pests of honey bees, to investigate potential causes of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and determine overall bee health of U.S. bee colonies.

Because honey bees play a vital role in pollination activities, the survey has been funded annually by the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).  

South Dakota typically ranks in the top-five honey producing states. South Dakota is the home of  163 beekeepers who maintain about 250,000 hives at approximately 6,800 locations across the state.    

SDDA sampled 25 apiaries in 2011 and 24 apiaries in 2012 as a cooperator in this endeavor. The 2012 survey results for South Dakota are not expected for a few more months.

In addition to the honey bee health survey, SDDA also collected 10 bee pollen samples each year to test for possible environmental toxins and possible interactions with bee health. 

Nationwide testing in 2011 revealed that 35 pesticides were in the bee pollen samples out of the 174 pesticides that were included in the screening process.  

In 2011, 12 pesticides were detected in seven different beekeeper’s pollen samples in South Dakota. Chlorpyrifos and cyhalothrin were the two most frequently detected agricultural chemicals. The other most frequently detected chemicals were varroa mite control compounds administered by beekeepers.

It is important to remember that detection of contaminants in pollen does not mean the honey is contaminated.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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South Dakota Department of Agriculture Awards Grants

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 29, 2012
Media Contact: Terri LaBrie, 605-773-5436

South Dakota Department of Agriculture Awards Grants

PIERRE, S.D.-The South Dakota Department of Agriculture announces that 26 grants have been awarded through the Building Our South Dakota Rural Communities grant program.


These grants are available annually to 4-H Clubs, FFA Chapters, and Family Career and Community Leaders of America Chapters.


“We had a lot of applications this year, and a lot of great projects were funded,” said Walt Bones, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture. “Our rural youth are the future of agriculture in South Dakota, and this is just one way the department can support their efforts in making this state a better place to live, work and grow.”


The purpose of the grant program is to assist agricultural youth in beautifying and improving their communities by working together to accomplish educational and project goals.


The following clubs/chapters were funded:


Tabor Pioneers 4-H Club – Bon Homme County
Sweet Clovers 4-H Club – Bon Homme County
Let’Er Buck 4-H Club – Butte County
Andes Central FCCLA – Charles Mix County
Willow Lake FFA – Clark County
Clay County Flyers 4-H Club – Clay County
Florence FFA – Codington County
Mitchell FCCLA – Davison County
Coteau Hills 4-H Club – Day County
Webster Area FFA – Day County
DC Young Riders 4-H Club – Deuel County
Milbank FFA – Grant County
River 4-H Club – Hughes/Stanley County
Kaylor 4-H Club – Hutchinson County
Dell Rapids FFA – Minnehaha County
West Central FFA – Minnehaha County
Garretson FFA – Minnehaha County
Flandreau FFA – Moody County
Wall FFA – Pennington County
Perkins County 4-H Shooting Sports – Perkins County
Hillside Hustlers 4-H Club – Roberts County
Wilmot FFA – Roberts County
Spink County 4-H Jr. Leaders – Spink County
Marion FFA – Turner County
Marion FCCLA – Turner County


Other financial programs are available to South Dakota farmers and ranchers for beginning farmers and ranchers, livestock purchase, guarantees, dairy and feedlot expansions, value added businesses and manure management systems.


Visit http://sdda.sd.gov or call 605.773.5436 for more information.


Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) Facilitates Roundtable Priority Meetings

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture is facilitating committee meetings to identify the work plan for the priority areas identified in the 2011 and 2012 Key Leaders Roundtable.

The work plans will provide a framework for all agriculture stakeholders to move forward the Department priorities.  The committee groups include:

-Education and Youth
-Livestock Development
-Water, Natural Resources and Energy
-Infrastructure and Zoning
-Value-Added Processing

These committee groups consist of volunteers from agriculture commodity groups along with SDDA staff facilitating. 

The purpose of each committee is to identify overall objectives and strategies to address the priority areas. The objectives will have short and long-term timelines. All objectives will be created to be Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic and Timely (SMART).

Stay tuned for members from each committee!