South Dakota CertifiedTM Program

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 1, 2013

Media Contacts: Sarah Caslin, 605.773.5436

South Dakota Certified^TM Program

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) would like to remind producers who are interested in signing up for South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle ^TM Program to make sure they are Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Trained before their first calf is born.

Prior to submitting an application for participation in the South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle^TM program, producers must first have a South Dakota BQA/Critical Management Plan certification. Please contact the South Dakota Beef Industry Council, BQA Coordinator, Tracey Walsh at 605.224.4722.

For more details please contact Sarah Caslin, Livestock Development Specialist at SDDA at 605.773.5436 or visit http://www.sdcec.sd.gov/

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating over $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 122,000 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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TREE TALK – Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 31, 2013

Media Contact: John Hinners, 605.353.7187

TREE TALK – Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) will host informative Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops in February throughout northwestern South Dakota.

The free workshops will provide information about how to evaluate shelterbelts and plan improvements. Examples will be presented on shelterbelt renovation involving replacement, release and/or removal of selected trees and shrubs or rows, adding rows, removing branches, etc.

“Shelterbelt trees and shrubs face hard growing conditions in western South Dakota,” says John Hinners, SDDA agro-forester. “Weather events that damage and kill trees include drastic temperature drops, snow load, high winds and drought. Lack of maintenance and livestock also can damage or ruin shelterbelts.”

A list of dates, times and locations for the workshops: (all times Mountain Standard)

Date             Time                      Venue                                                  Town

Feb. 12         1 p.m.                     Harding Co. Rec. Center              Buffalo, SD

Feb. 12         6 p.m.                     Grand Electric Social Room         Bison, SD

Feb. 13         1 p.m.                     Harry’s Community Hall               Dupree, SD

Feb. 13         6 p.m.                     Community Legion Hall                Faith, SD

Feb. 14         1 p.m.                     Courthouse Comm. Mtg. Room    McIntosh, SD

Feb. 14         6 p.m.                     Community Center                      Timber Lake, SD

Producers who would like more information about attending one of the Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops should call their local conservation district: Corson County, 605-273-4506, Dewey County, 605-865-3552, Harding County, 605-375-3216, Perkins County, 605-244-7160, Tri-County, 605-967-2561, Ziebach County, 605-365-5185.

For questions for SDDA, contact John Hinners, SDDA agro-forester at 605-353-7187 by email at john.hinners@state.sd.us  , or Natural Resource Specialist Bob Drown at 605-244-5222, extension 4, or by email at robert.drown@sd.nacdnet.net

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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Livestock Development Meeting 1-23-13

Minutes of 01/23/2013 KLR Group 2: Livestock Development

Members Present: Lyle Perman, Roger Scheibe, Jodi Anderson, Ron Fredrick (via phone), Jerry Vogeler, Brad Greenway, Dave Uttecht, Garrett Bischoff (via phone), Scott VanderWal (via phone), Lowell Mesman,  Warren Rushe, Robin Salverson, Ed Blair, Brad Bunker (via phone), Gary Deering, Tammy Basel, JD Ryen, TW Schalesky, Sarah Caslin, and Jodi Bechard.

Chairman Jerry Vogeler started off the meeting. The results of the discussion at the “Next Generation Livestock Production Forums.” will be compiled and brought to the committee to review. It was mentioned that the group would like a presentation from the Dept. of Agriculture answering what was learned from the forums.

We plan to go through the individual industry and by June, we need to have the common problems as a whole to present at the Summit. Then from there, we can break down the individual problems for the different industries.

The sheep industry presented a power point on their expectations for the group and some numbers from their industry. The group will be going back to sheep in the coming meetings to discuss the positives and the obstacles in the sheep industry.

Dave Uttecht and Brad Greenway presented for the Pork industry. Suggestions from around the room where discussed.

-Dept. of Ag should have videos of facilities on the social media sites and we need to coordinate videos across the industry

-Need to find the knowledge gaps.

-Economic impact on keeping corn in SD.

-Unit train facilities and selling all corn to ethanol plants. 

-Need to tell our positive environmental story!

-Commissioners settling rules & not following

-Update economic research on specific areas.

-What is Northwest Iowa doing different? : Zoning laws, Public opinion, more enterprising?

The purpose of going through each species is to come up with 10 unified priorities and possible action plans to present at the Summit in Pierre on June 26, 2013.

Next meeting will be Friday, February 22^nd from 1-4pm in Pierre, location is TBD. Dairy will be making their presentation.  

Meeting Adjourned

Rural Reflections: A Year in Review from YOUR SD Department of Agriculture

http://sdda.sd.gov/documents/Rural%20Reflections%202012.pdf
Check out our new magazine, Rural Reflections!

Governor’s Coordinated Livestock Development Initiative

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 2, 2013

Media Contact: Sarah Caslin, 605.773.3649

Governor’s Coordinated Livestock Development Initiative

PIERRE, S.D. - A cornerstone of Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s economic development plan for South Dakota includes building on South Dakota’s competitive advantage – agriculture.

Over the past 18 months, the Governor and South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) have been very engaged with the agricultural community.

 “Knowing that agriculture is the primary industry investing in our rural communities, we have an opportunity to set the stage for the next generation of livestock production in South Dakota,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones. “In human terms, it’s also a dialogue about the next generation of farmers and ranchers in our state.”

The Governor’s Coordinated Livestock Development Initiative has four goals.

Goal No. 1 is to communicate South Dakota’s vision for livestock production. Starting this month, SDDA will hold forums across the state to discuss the challenges and advantages of livestock development in South Dakota. Dates; times can be found here.

“South Dakota has progressive, forward-thinking entrepreneurs who understand the exciting potential of today’s agri-business marketplace,” Bones said. “We’re continuing the conversation about the challenges and advantages South Dakota has to increase the number of livestock in our state.”

The second goal is to support a local presence for agricultural development. SDDA congratulates and supports the efforts of District One in gathering site-ready locations for livestock development in Moody, Grant and Brookings counties.

Goal No. 3 is to provide resources and training for South Dakota livestock producers. SDDA is providing support and services to producers through collaborative training opportunities and updated livestock development checklists.

The final goal is to explore ways to embrace local control when it comes to livestock development. “We have listened to the concerns expressed by townships and counties,” Secretary Bones said. “Their issues have been heard.”

SDDA is currently working with legislators, industry stakeholders and local governments on ways to support and be a resource for livestock development.

“Our livestock producers are held to a high standard,” Bones said. “With abundant feed, water, affordable land, processing capabilities and a favorable business climate, we think there is no better place to be in livestock production. We look forward to helping our current and new livestock producers, and we appreciate the demand they create for our grains and forages.”

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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