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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