October 13, 2026---10-11---October Farmers Union Show---Show 53-64

(((From the Blackburn Studios in Downtown Sioux Falls—Welcome to the South Dakota Farmers Union Show---Show 53-64

I’m Bill Zortman and for years—each month we have done the South Dakota Farmers Union Show---

Most times Rocky Formen joins us in Studio—and on occasions he helps on location ---from across South Dakota and sometimes Washington DC---or other venues---

Rocky good morning----share with us who is connected with us----and some of the topics we’ll be discussing---

-----------------Rocky-----------------

• Washington Fly-in
• Fairs
• Farm Shows----
• In response to a Governor’s Directive South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke sent the letter to Governor Rhoden and the South Dakota Legislators—asking for a red diesel law change and for reduction in state tax on clear diesel and gasoline.

--------Rocky explains sets up this way: with President Sombke-----

“Simply telling law enforcement not to enforce a law that is not on the books is illegal,--said President Sombke---The letter asked the Governor and South Dakota leaders to change the law during the tax holiday so that those of us who need the tax break do not need to worry about breaking the law. It also requests that state tax cuts be given to all South Dakotans by reducing the state tax on clear diesel and gasoline.” (((605-350-4211)))

The Governor’s directive was announced last Wednesday October 7th, following President Trump’s October 6th executive order that allows ANYONE to use RED DIESEL as well.

Red diesel is regular diesel dyed red because it is exempt from the 24.4 cent federal tax and can only be used by off-road farm vehicles—like tractors and combines.

In South Dakota, red-dyed diesel is also exempt from the South Dakota State 28-cent tax.

Prior to President Trump’s executive order and Governor Rhoden’s directive, if a South Dakotan is found driving a vehicle on the highway that has been fueled with red dyed diesel it is considered a class 1 FELONY. And this felony is subject to a $250 penalty according to South Dakota Codified Law 10-47B-185.

Prior to the President’s executive order and Governor Rhoden’s directive, if a South Dakotan is found driving a vehicle on the highway that has been fueled with red-dyed diesel it is considered a CLASS1 FELONY. And this FELONY is subject to a $250 penalty according to South Dakota Codified Law 10-47B-185.

In South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke letter –the 4th generation Brown County crop and cattle producer also requested the current 28-cent state tax for highway use fuel be temporarily reduced to “1-penny-per gallon on gasoline and clear diesel. The letter requests that a 1-penny per gallon tax be added to red diesel as well.

When we come back---National Farmers Union President Rob Larew joins us---(((301-802-3039))) rlarew@nfu.org

10:12/00—Farmers Union Commercials

10:13/30---Farmers Union Show 2

Rob Larew---is President of the National Farmers Union organization—

---fly in

---Farmers Union Concerns----and goals

---what else we should know about this Organization----and what needs to be ahead…

----the value and accomplishments of the DC Fly-in-------------

---------other Farmer’s Union hopes---and events----that could affect so many lives ahead-----the Presidential and Legislative Elections are now just a half month away ----what other Farmers Union states and members are sharing as the election moves quickly—each and every day—

----------just ahead----the winner of a Farmers Union Herd Builder Heifer---one of the 3 heifers and 3 ewes we give away to kids helping building their herd  plus he will share what else he received

10:29/00---Commercial Break

10:30/00---Farmers Union 3

(((Morning Commodities—Matt Swenson)))

It was Teagan Scheel (605-354-5883) who received a Farmers Union Herd Builder Heifer

Every Year at Western Jr---Farmers Union gives away 3 heifers and 3 ewes to kids to help build their herd---Teagan received a Heifer

===interview—Teagan---Rocky------on the importance of the competition and what it means to him---and should mean to others in the future---

------------Tegan --------

Why young people should want to be in this competition---?and YES be the winner---------------

When we come back---the New South Dakota Farmers Union Education Specialist---joins us---talking about scholarships that are out there and available right now

10:38/00----Commercials Break

10:40/00----Farmers Union 4

   I’m Bill Zortman and welcome back to our Monthly South Dakota Farmers Union Show----

   Doug Sombke and yes this guy—Rocky Forman 605-695--7667--wanted to make sure we introduced Ashley Stegeman---the New Education Specialist

(((Astegeman@sdfu.org )))

Lets talk about some of the Scholarships SD Farmers Union has going on right now-----and who should enter---and HOW----

----------Ashley------------------

Scholarships

Who can win

How

Deadlines

When the winners will be announced----

What does it take to put on the Western Junior Livestock Show---

Marty Maholick---helps put the Junior Show on------605-680-2548

How many kids showed their livestock at the Western Junior Livestock Show

How many years has the Western Junior been going—and where is the venue in 2026?

How does the Junior Show gets its contenders?

-------------Marty-----------------

10:50/00—SD Farmers Union Show

10:52/30---Farm Show 5

----possibly Laura Edwards---South Dakota State Climatolgist----

-----or Mr. Tree John Ball

Show wrap-------

Rocky---and what events are coming up ahead---- the rest of October and beyond---

Our time is up—thank you for yours