Blog-May 10, 2022—South Dakota Farmers Union Show

   Each month on the 2nd Tuesday of the month----we share the 10-11 slot with our friends---long-time friends from South Dakota Farmers Union. The largest and the oldest farm organization in South Dakota.

    Today—Doug Sombke—President of  SDFU joins us in studio along with Luke Reindl—who works the information side of the organization---and together we put together this monthly show.

    We start the show with Walt Bones—Former Ag Secretary----and farm leader in South Dakota for a number of years. He’s still working---and pushing for agriculture but he says he’s retired.

     This week Mr. Bones was named the 2022 Governor’s Ag Ambassador and will be recognized June 22nd as part of the Annual Governor’s Agriculture Summit in Brookings.

     Walt joins us this morning----and with President Sombke we’ll talk about the Bones push to help agriculture in our state in so many ways.

      Obviously there are some concerns about ethanol usage—or lack there of------the beef industry and the Big 4 that are rightly accused of taking money out of the pockets of cattle producers and pulling excessive amount of precious dollars out of the pockets of consumers at the grocery counters.

      Good ole “Walt” joins the ranks of Jim Woster, Roger Schiebe, Brad Greenway, Dr. Bob Thaler and my friend from WNAX—Michelle Rook ---who just took what she does to Indiana after 24 years.

       10:20---we visit with Jim Seurer---Glacial Lakes in Watertown.  Nearly every gas station we have observed in the last few days now features some of their cheapest fuels at $4.00 plus. Glacial Lakes will share some of the differences people are seeing in Watertown, Huron and Aberdeen.  Walt Bones wants to know where he can find the ethanol blends around Sioux Falls area.

      Your vehicle should be safe---Glacial Lakes---and Nebraska have studied the impact ethanol has on your engine. We’ll hear from that---and why the E-30 is so important in the days ahead.

      Second half of the show---we start with the Farm Family of the Month---Ann and Paul Sunderman –who live near Baltic---we’ll get their story on what they do in a very special business and in Ann’s case—what she is doing for the State Fair Rodeo coming up at the end of August—and pre-labor day.

    Jeff Kipley National Farmers  Union Vice President has been part of hearings in DC with US House and Senate AG Committee on the cattle industry.

    It’s is Beef month---so we’ll get the information –in our discussion and what else is pressing the fancy in DC.

    Rocky Forman—SDFU Farm Safety Specialist will join us----he will share a few tips with all the hustle and bustle of getting crops in the ground—the land prepared and then followed up-----and we’ll let him share the stage on the South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl---which now is down to the final four.

    Canton Gettysburg, Kimball and Lennox are in the final event—this morning we’ll visit with Brad Duxbury—Lennox FFA Advisor….

      During the State FFA Convention held in Brookings, FFA Chapters from Canton, Gettysburg, Kimball and Lennox qualified for the South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships held during Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair, September 3.

      Here is part of the SDFU release that was shared this week.

“Farming is among the most dangerous careers on the planet, so it is important that youth understand how to be safe on the farm or ranch,” explained Brady Duxbury, FFA Advisor for the Lennox Sundstrom FFA Chapter. “Honestly, in rural South Dakota we all know someone who has been hurt on a farm or ranch.”

Myra Whitehead agrees. A senior at Lennox High School, she says a neighbor was temporarily paralyzed and has been left with life-long challenges as a result of a four-wheeler accident.

“Farm safety is crucially important because we live in South Dakota where there is so much farming and ranching and there’s always farm-related accidents,” Whitehead said. “So, it is important to understand how to be safe – be aware of your surroundings, especially if there are animals around.”

Whitehead was a member of the Lennox Sundstrom FFA Chapter team that placed during State FFA Convention. Other team members from her FFA Chapter include Autum Wittstruck, Nate Collette and Maya Forse. Other Chapters and team members to qualify include Kimball FFA Chapter: Jayden Kolt, Gavin Walsh, Colton Michalek, Luke Leheska and FFA Advisor, Tracey Welsh; Canton FFA Chapter: Jackie Kreber, Jardan VanDeStreet, John Halverson, Kaeden Bitterman and FFA Advisor, Jennifer Cleveland; Gettysburg FFA Chapter: Alex Tanner, Owen Raush, Garrett Zeigler, Tanner Eide and FFA Advisor Mercedes Lemke.

    Our It’s Your Agri Business Show is proud to be associated with South Dakota Farmers Union. The people that are part of this team is important---what they believe in –is easy for us to pick up---and share as well. 

     The show is available live at 1320, 105.1, 107.9---use the KELO-App—Streaming on line –or just ask Alexa.

     A podcast of the show is posted on the Farmers Union Website---as well as the KELO-AM website—with Norm Anderson sharing the feed to SDFU---too.

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

    Use these notes as a guide to who was scheduled in the show-and where to find the segment you are most interested in.