Blog-January 10, 2023—10-11—SDFU Show

   Once a month---South Dakota Farmers Union works with our It’s YOUR Business Show and Agri Business Show—to give a thorough wrap of what they are doing---what the members seem to be thinking-----and just how together—we are going to get there.

   In this show—with Luke Reindl---at my side—and on the other side of the mike----we talked important, financial, and pressing stuff.

   We started from DC with quite the daily double!

   Senator Mike Rounds----(yes the former Governor) shared ---

• The Farm Bill---regardless of which party has the gavel---what needs done and what would be important to our #1 Agriculture industry
• The new House Speaker—that took 15 votes to get finally elected—what difference will it make for a California leader—trying to understand and really help those in the middle of corn and bean fields in South Dakota?
• The kind of questions Senator Rounds is getting from his constituents ----
• And how happy was he that the Jackrabbits won their first national championship kicking the pigskin in Frisco Texas on Sunday

    Rob Larew—is National Farmers Union President—he too joined us live

• USDA is providing additional funds for processing plants---will that create support for livestock markets and jobs
• The Farm Bill---always seems to be kicked around—what is NFU doing to help the members and their families
• President Larew attended the 107th Annual SDFU Convention in December---he gave us some insight to what he saw—what needs done and where we are going in 2023

    Mitch Richtor---is the SDFU Lobbyist in Pierre---today is the first day of the opening session---38 days----

     Mitch along with ag counterparts get together once a week to talk about how working arm and arm they can get as much for agriculture in 2023.

      Mitch is a long time lobbyist that listens---reports---and keeps us all knowing what is going on –or not going on in Pierre.

       We started the 2nd half of the show with Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree from Madison.

• We talked about the work that needs done to continue to build the ag needs and keep Ag #1 in South Dakota
• Will there be some national money—COVID Money to spend on Ag projects---
• 200 million in work force is a key topic he shared—something that is just breaking in Pierre and we’ll get more after the Governor’s Speech today

         We talked with Wade Christiansen—Co-owner of Kimball Livestock Auction—his auction with 5000 head of cattle started at 9:00—we talked to him just minutes before. He shared all the locations beef were coming from---and how they are still fighting the Big 4 in what needs done for those with beef in South Dakota

• He was just back from Frisco—riding the bus—where his son was part of the Jacks win Sunday over North Dakota State

   Rocky Forman—SD Farmers Union Man in Motion—shared a January 20-21 conference going on in Deadwood with reps from Oklahoma-North Dakota and South Dakota. It’s a chance to come up with ideas in the Tri-State Producers Conference

      Warren Rusche---Asst Professor and Extension Feedlot Specials at SDSU—shared what the snow by the foot—the wetness---and the loss of animals meant to South Dakota.

      In addition-we talked about cattle prices---not horrible—but there are added costs for producers and then are passed onto consumers.

       Warren suggested that management practices can help dictate outcome of cattle health.

      Quite the show—the audience –center stage---and we even talked about John Deere and another Farm Organization working together.

       Listen live to the show at 1320---105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App—Streaming on-line or just ask Alexa.

        Norm Anderson has the show available as a podcast by NOON on the day that the show runs live. Go to the KELO-AM Website—look for It’s YOUR Agri Business---January 10, 2023—10-11----the show is also available on the SDFU Website.

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