September 15, 2026—It’s YOUR Agri Business---Show 53-33

(((From the Blackburn Studios in Downtown Sioux Falls—Welcome to our It’s YOUr Agri-Business Show—with visits from those in agriculture in Washington DC—working th help all of us in South Dakota and particularly in Agriculture---

 

(((MUSIC----THIS OLE HOUSE----YEE HAH)))

   I’m Bill Zortman and yes this is our agri-business show---and some of the guests this week are talking with us from Washington DC-----for a fly-in to talk to those elected officials about what is important in Agriculture-----

   South Dakata Farmers Union’s Rocky Forman---as he does on so many of the trips to DC and across South Dakota is helping us------

 

   He has joined us to talk about what they have heard already from DC---what those from Farmers Union and other areas---are thinking and hoping to get accomplishment---

 

   But first—a visit with Casey Crabtree---who helps us with so many political---and business—and agriculture issues across our state---

 

   Casey—good morning---talk to us a little bit about the importance of farmers and their leaders heading to DC---listening in on meetings---and why this so very important in 2026---

----------------Casey----------------

   While we continue to follow along from DC---talk to us about what you are hearing and seeing is important---from farms to big and small communities across the state?

------------------Casey-----------------

   Being an elected official---- who often shares with our audience across the state and across borders----as we are on the 15th day of September-----crops should have a lot of attention right now----and what else would you put in that category?

-------------------Casey--------------------

    If you were in DC with those that have flown in to attend meetings at the Capital---what would you be sharing?

--------------------Casey--------------------

    Thanks for all you do---we enjoy having eyes—ears---and observers like you keep us posted on what is going on across South Dakota---

     -----Rocky Forman----is helping us and we are sharing time with him—on what is being discussed in DC and how it is being received---

-------------Rocky—share with us what you are finding----and what are you asking lawmakers to get done---

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

      How many made the trip—and while we know a number of them are from Farmers Union---what other farm organizations are there representing Ag and their counties and communities---

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

      ---we do have another guest---David Reese---is talking about country of Labeling---712-540-3306----

 

  -------------your thoughts on the trip----it is an election year—does that mean that lawmakers are listening any better?

----------David---------------

  And-----hopes------how it is important that our lawmakers and those of neighboring states are getting something done---

---------------David Reese—thanks for the visit---

 

---still more to come in our Working on Lawmakers DC time----when we come back we’ll talk with Nolan Clarke—Plains Commerce---and hear from Sarah Heinrich—KFGO Fargo---

10:20/30—KELO Commercials

10:22/00---Ag Business 3

-----Nolan Clarke---Plains Commerce Bank joins us to talk about how Plains is here-there—and virtually everywhere trying to help those in agriculture, in business----the newly married couples as well as those who are senior citizens---

      You have made some trips for farm shows---and I know what you are doing—we don’t hear much about in South Dakota or neighboring States----you want those seeing you to know that you are there to help them—all they have to is ask---

----------Share—how they do that---and how important that is in 2026---

----------Nolan----------------

-----Farm shows—how have they worked during this fair season?

----------Nolan----------------

   You can always call Nolan Clarke—or one of the Plains Commerce Banks----

    What have the needs been like for those requesting in 2026?

--------- Nolan-----------------

    Thanks for the visit—keep up the work—helping people that are struggling and need a friendly bank—a friendly voice---and perhaps even a smile---to get them the help they so badly need---

-------------Nolan----------------

   How many Plains Commerce Banks are there in South Dakota----that people can reach out for help-----

 

-------------Nolan-----------------

   Sarah Heinrich---KFGO Fargo—our sister stations---has the very important—Growing Harvest Network---

10:29/00---KELO Commercials—Sarah and KFGO

10:32/00---It’s YOUR Ag Business---

We start this side of the half hour with Matt Swenson---Swenson Commodities-----Matt what are you seeing on Tuesday in September---

-----------------Matt---------------

 

People having needs to get market updates later in the afternoon or first thing in the morning—how can they reach Swenson Commodities to get it done---

-------------Matt Swenson-----Swenson Commodities---

---one of those joining us his morning is David Reese---(712-540-3306)and his concern “Country of Labeling”----

 

------David talk to us about what you want to know and what you think others would want to know as well?

--------------David----------------

   -------What difference do you think the country of labeling has for those hearing us this morning---

--------------David Reese---------------

 

Family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota are in D.C. this week, September 14-16, advocating for a Farm Bill that works for them during the National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In.

 

“The current Farm Bill was passed eight years ago. We need a Farm Bill that is up to date, with policy to address today’s challenges,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “No one uses a newspaper from eight years ago to understand what is going on today. A Farm Bill needs to address the needs of farmers and ranchers as well as consumers. The Farm Bill is important to national security. As a country we cannot depend on other countries to feed us. Everything going on in the world today  says that we need to do more domestically. The Farm Bill needs to address fuel issues, input costs, food safety, disaster and conservation programs. All important – but none of these policies have been updated in nearly a decade.”

 

A fourth-generation Brown County farmer, Sombke is among a large group of farmers and ranchers from across the state who will spend the next few days meeting one-on-one with congressional leaders and their staff.

 

During the meetings, South Dakota producers will discuss challenges facing them and their communities and potential solutions through policy.

 

“Farmers and ranchers are used to making things work when factors out of their control are working against them – they are creative problem solvers – this week we hope to share potential solutions to many of the issues we face,” explained Sombke.

 

Solutions like including Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) in the Farm Bill. “With recent removal of tariffs on foreign beef, MCOOL remains a top priority,” Sombke said. “U.S. beef producers invest in premiere genetics, and U.S. regulations ensure all meat that enters the food system is safe. Consumers need to know where their food comes from.”

That part of what is being discussed in DC---and we’ll have more Wednesday----we invite you back—

10:50/00—KELO Commercials

10:52/00---Ag Business 4

 

SD Farmers Guest---Rocky or guest of his choosing

 

-----wrap----what still needs done----

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

 

We’ll continue to follow---along ----Wednesday and again on Friday---

---our time is up—thank you for yours…

 

September 15, 2026&mdash;It&rsquo;s YOUR Agri Business---Show 53-33
(((From the Blackburn Studios in Downtown Sioux Falls&mdash;Welcome to our It&rsquo;s YOUr Agri-Business Show&mdash;with visits from those in agriculture in Washington DC&mdash;working th help all of us in South Dakota and particularly in Agriculture---
&nbsp;
(((MUSIC----THIS OLE HOUSE----YEE HAH)))
&nbsp;&nbsp; I&rsquo;m Bill Zortman and yes this is our agri-business show---and some of the guests this week are talking with us from Washington DC-----for a fly-in to talk to those elected officials about what is important in Agriculture-----
&nbsp;&nbsp; South Dakata Farmers Union&rsquo;s Rocky Forman---as he does on so many of the trips to DC and across South Dakota is helping us------
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; He has joined us to talk about what they have heard already from DC---what those from Farmers Union and other areas---are thinking and hoping to get accomplishment---
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; But first&mdash;a visit with Casey Crabtree---who helps us with so many political---and business&mdash;and agriculture issues across our state---
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; Casey&mdash;good morning---talk to us a little bit about the importance of farmers and their leaders heading to DC---listening in on meetings---and why this so very important in 2026---
----------------Casey----------------
&nbsp;&nbsp; While we continue to follow along from DC---talk to us about what you are hearing and seeing is important---from farms to big and small communities across the state?
------------------Casey-----------------
&nbsp;&nbsp; Being an elected official---- who often shares with our audience across the state and across borders----as we are on the 15th day of September-----crops should have a lot of attention right now----and what else would you put in that category?
-------------------Casey--------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you were in DC with those that have flown in to attend meetings at the Capital---what would you be sharing?
--------------------Casey--------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks for all you do---we enjoy having eyes&mdash;ears---and observers like you keep us posted on what is going on across South Dakota---
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; -----Rocky Forman----is helping us and we are sharing time with him&mdash;on what is being discussed in DC and how it is being received---
-------------Rocky&mdash;share with us what you are finding----and what are you asking lawmakers to get done---
-----------------------Rocky---------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How many made the trip&mdash;and while we know a number of them are from Farmers Union---what other farm organizations are there representing Ag and their counties and communities---
-----------------------Rocky---------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ---we do have another guest---David Reese---is talking about country of Labeling---<a href="tel:(712)%20540-3306">712-540-3306</a>----
&nbsp;
&nbsp; -------------your thoughts on the trip----it is an election year&mdash;does that mean that lawmakers are listening any better?
----------David---------------
&nbsp; And-----hopes------how it is important that our lawmakers and those of neighboring states are getting something done---
---------------David Reese&mdash;thanks for the visit---
&nbsp;
---still more to come in our Working on Lawmakers DC time----when we come back we&rsquo;ll talk with Nolan Clarke&mdash;Plains Commerce---and hear from Sarah Heinrich&mdash;KFGO Fargo---
10:20/30&mdash;KELO Commercials
10:22/00---Ag Business 3
-----Nolan Clarke---Plains Commerce Bank joins us to talk about how Plains is here-there&mdash;and virtually everywhere trying to help those in agriculture, in business----the newly married couples as well as those who are senior citizens---
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You have made some trips for farm shows---and I know what you are doing&mdash;we don&rsquo;t hear much about in South Dakota or neighboring States----you want those seeing you to know that you are there to help them&mdash;all they have to is ask---
----------Share&mdash;how they do that---and how important that is in 2026---
----------Nolan----------------
-----Farm shows&mdash;how have they worked during this fair season?
----------Nolan----------------
&nbsp;&nbsp; You can always call Nolan Clarke&mdash;or one of the Plains Commerce Banks----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What have the needs been like for those requesting in 2026?
--------- Nolan-----------------
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks for the visit&mdash;keep up the work&mdash;helping people that are struggling and need a friendly bank&mdash;a friendly voice---and perhaps even a smile---to get them the help they so badly need---
-------------Nolan----------------
&nbsp;&nbsp; How many Plains Commerce Banks are there in South Dakota----that people can reach out for help-----
&nbsp;
-------------Nolan-----------------
&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarah Heinrich---KFGO Fargo&mdash;our sister stations---has the very important&mdash;Growing Harvest Network---
10:29/00---KELO Commercials&mdash;Sarah and KFGO
10:32/00---It&rsquo;s YOUR Ag Business---
We start this side of the half hour with Matt Swenson---Swenson Commodities-----Matt what are you seeing on Tuesday in September---
-----------------Matt---------------
&nbsp;
People having needs to get market updates later in the afternoon or first thing in the morning&mdash;how can they reach Swenson Commodities to get it done---
-------------Matt Swenson-----Swenson Commodities---
---one of those joining us his morning is David Reese---<a href="tel:(712)%20540-3306">(712-540-3306</a>)and his concern &ldquo;Country of Labeling&rdquo;----
&nbsp;
------David talk to us about what you want to know and what you think others would want to know as well?
--------------David----------------
&nbsp;&nbsp; -------What difference do you think the country of labeling has for those hearing us this morning---
--------------David Reese---------------
&nbsp;
Family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota are in D.C. this week, September 14-16, advocating for a Farm Bill that works for them during the National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The current Farm Bill was passed eight years ago. We need a Farm Bill that is up to date, with policy to address today&rsquo;s challenges,&rdquo; said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. &ldquo;No one uses a newspaper from eight years ago to understand what is going on today. A Farm Bill needs to address the needs of farmers and ranchers as well as consumers. The Farm Bill is important to national security. As a country we cannot depend on other countries to feed us. Everything going on in the world today &nbsp;says that we need to do more domestically. The Farm Bill needs to address fuel issues, input costs, food safety, disaster and conservation programs. All important &ndash; but none of these policies have been updated in nearly a decade.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
A fourth-generation Brown County farmer, Sombke is among a large group of farmers and ranchers from across the state who will spend the next few days meeting one-on-one with congressional leaders and their staff.
&nbsp;
During the meetings, South Dakota producers will discuss challenges facing them and their communities and potential solutions through policy.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Farmers and ranchers are used to making things work when factors out of their control are working against them &ndash; they are creative problem solvers &ndash; this week we hope to share potential solutions to many of the issues we face,&rdquo; explained Sombke.
&nbsp;
Solutions like including Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) in the Farm Bill. &ldquo;With recent removal of tariffs on foreign beef, MCOOL remains a top priority,&rdquo; Sombke said. &ldquo;U.S. beef producers invest in premiere genetics, and U.S. regulations ensure all meat that enters the food system is safe. Consumers need to know where their food comes from.&rdquo;
That part of what is being discussed in DC---and we&rsquo;ll have more Wednesday----we invite you back&mdash;
10:50/00&mdash;KELO Commercials
10:52/00---Ag Business 4
&nbsp;
SD Farmers Guest---Rocky or guest of his choosing
&nbsp;
-----wrap----what still needs done----
---Rocky-------------
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll continue to follow---along ----Wednesday and again on Friday---
---our time is up&mdash;thank you for yours&hellip;
&nbsp;

Bill Zortman brings entrepreneurs and community and state leaders together to talk about business.