South Dakota Farmers Union

With the age of producers in the state rising and the number of young farmers remaining low, some are worried about the future of agriculture in South Dakota.

Some South Dakota agriculture producers aren’t expecting much from recently announced federal relief dollars.

For farmers, the implications to their government-sponsored health insurance are another worry brought on by a government shutdown.

Livestock farmers say allegations against the meatpacking industry for unfair business practices are beginning to pick up steam at the national level.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says mass deportations of undocumented immigrants will be done everywhere, including farm country. She says the plan is to have a 100% American workforce. However, those in the ag industry question what this would look like in practice.

A new wave of federal direct assistance to ag producers offering relief at a time prices are low, and inputs are high. But some of the state’s industry leaders worry it signals a shift farmers won’t like.

With President Donald Trump threatening tariffs on both Mexico and Canada, there are big implications on South Dakota’s agricultural economy.

The South Dakota Farmers Union is saying it helped secure a win for U.S. Cattle Producers in a settlement with one of the nation’s largest meat-packing companies.

Potential tariffs and a shakeup in federal government concerns many farmers and ranchers. The national debate was brought to South Dakota at the recent annual Farmer’s Union conference. Speakers addressed the new administration and a growing need for produce.

Two South Dakota agriculture organizations are watching potential upcoming tariffs closely. President-elect Donald Trump is vowing tariffs on goods imported into the country. Both groups remember Trump’s trade war during his first administration.