Blog-February 8, 2022—10-11—SDFU Show

   Once a month we bring together—leaders---and members of the South Dakota Farmers Union—the oldest of the Farm Organizations in South Dakota.

   Today—lots of people in lots of different corners---taking care of business----

   While President and Vice President Doug Sombke and Wayne Soren are at meetings in Florida----we’ll talk with Luke Reindl---media and marketing manager.

   First stop is Jeff Kippley—a candidate for National Farmers Union Vice President---yes South Dakota native---tax office owner---looking for ways to help those in Ag---like price transparency-Mandatory county of origin labeling---higher ethanol blends like E-30…

   As tax advisors---they see the numbers behind many family farms and ranches---that need off-farm income to stay afloat financially.

    Mr. Kippley believes he can carry the water to help families in the future---if he can be elected as National Vice President.

    We’ll visit with John Peterson—a 5th generation farmer from Wakona—about Dakota Hemp. Pete sees a great potential with hemp but sees a need to establish places to sell the grain and fiber----we’ll ask what difference this hemp journey can have for South Dakota. His SD Hemp Association is helping put up fiber bale processing facilities. And of course we’ll ask for an explanation of what this means as well as what it being discussed in Pierre.

    Monday was Family Farmers and Ranchers Legislative Day. We’ll weigh into with Lobbyist Mitch Richter—what he saw—what he heard—how lunch in the Capitol Rotunda brought people together.

    And we always ask about the meetings that farm groups have each week during the legislative session. Yes there are many more dollars at stake this year---and not many farm projects. We’ll find out how the harmony chord is being struck for ag in 2022.

   Justin Tupper—VP of he United States Cattlemen’s Association was on a panel at the Black Hills Stock show. There is need for unity in the cattle industry—and we’ll find out –how that unity is fighting the packer-4---high prices at the retail counter---but lower-losing prices for cattlemen.

    Also part of the discussion is South Dakota Farmers Union Man-in-Motion—Rocky Forman---he’ll be part of the SDFU activities the rest of the week in Watertown—Winter Farm Days. We saw him in Sioux Falls for the Sioux Empire Farm Show in January—it give us a chance to talk to him about what he is seeing and hearing in 2022—and what he hopes to hear this week and the rest of the year.

    Laura Edwards—is the South Dakota State Climatologist. It has been a strange year—and she travels the state—she talks to us today from Rapid City. We’ll ask about what she sees---around the state—and what she expects to see as we move thru the rest of winter and head to the growing season.

   The South Dakota Farmers Union show—is heard live at 1320, 105.1, 107.9---use the KELO App—or Streaming on line.

   Norm Anderson will have the show posted as a PODCAST –by NOON on the day that the show runs live. To find the show—go to the KELO-AM website—look for PODCAST—It’s YOUR Business—and in this case the February 8, 2022—10-11-SDFU Show.

   The show is also posted on the SDFU website----use these notes as a guide to who-what-where-when-why are in the show—and how they are doing.

   Questions for me—feel free to call 605-728-2455 (Bill) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.