Union Farmer March/April 2021

Volume CVI, No. 3 Huron, SD MAR/APR 2021

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA’S FARM & RANCH FAMILIES SINCE 1915.

Grassroots Policy at 2021 NFU Virtual Convention

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2021 Legislative Update

Nebraska E30 Study

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Farmers Union Does Not Support 30x30

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uring a national legislative update held virtually March 23, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew shared that National Farmers Union is not in favor of 30x30.

South Dakota Farmers Union agrees with National Farmers Union (NFU). We are NOT in favor of 30x30.

“There are no details at this point, but that does not mean we should not be skeptical and suspicious,” Larew says. “We Larry Stroschein are watching this closely.”

30x30 is part of the president’s Climate Change Executive Order asking the federal government to set a goal of conserving 30 percent of land by 2030.

Currently, President Joe Biden has asked secretaries from multiple departments to put together reports on what this could look like.

When it comes to development of federal government programming connected to climate, conservation and the

30x30 Continued on Page 19

Register for 2021 Camp today!

Visit www.sdfu.org and click on the Education Link.

Learn more on pages 14 & 15.

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Ag Community Pulls Together After Windy Fire

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SDFU Celebrates Kimball Ranch Family

South Dakota Farmers Union has served South Dakota farm and ranch families for more than a century. Throughout the year, we share their stories in order to highlight the families who make up our state’s No. 1 industry and help feed the world. This month we highlight the Ness ranch family of Kimball (left to right) Synch, 12, LeRoy and Sasha, Swayze, 16, and Shayda, 14.

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isit the Ness ranch most any spring or summer evening after chores and you are bound to find siblings Swayze, 16, Shayda, 14, and Synch, 12, in the middle of roping practice.

“We rope a dummy every night and have contests to see who can rope better. Whoever loses has to do dishes,” explains 14-year-old Shayda.

Whether it’s rodeo, 4-H, fixing fence or working cattle, the Ness family enjoys the time they spend together on their family’s ranch, explains mom, Sasha. “It’s a good place to raise kids because there’s always something to do. Probably more than they would like some days. Always chores to do, cattle to work or move and horses to ride.

It keeps them busy and out of trouble.”

A fourth-generation cattle producer, Sasha grew up on a ranch near Faith. She met LeRoy when they were both students at South Dakota State University.

The two had a lot in common. Both grew up raising cattle. Both were active 4-H members and enjoyed rodeo. Before they met,

Ness Family Continued on Page 2

Union Farmer

“My vision for this place has always been to leave it better for the next generation.”

– LeRoy Ness

Ness Family Continued from Page 1 LeRoy had already decided he was going to continue the ranching legacy his dad began.

“When my dad bought this place in 1968, there was only a well and an old hog house,” LeRoy says.

His dad set right to work investing in improving two quarters of land. He implemented rotational grazing and planted several shelter belts. Tragically, when LeRoy was only 19, his dad was killed in a car accident. “I felt I needed to take on the family legacy.”

Following his dad’s death, the cattle and equipment were liquidated. So, in 1998,

LeRoy began rebuilding – buying cows and leasing the land from his mom, Linda. In 2000 LeRoy and Sasha married.

Although he wanted to continue his dad’s legacy, LeRoy says it wasn’t obligation that brought him back to the ranch. He says raising cattle and caring for grassland feels like what he was always meant to do. “I enjoy everything about it – calving, processing, handling and working on corral systems,” he says. “And I’m very big into grass management.”

In fact, while ranching, LeRoy also spent more than a decade working as a range

management specialist for the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition.

His interest in grassland management is also part of his dad’s legacy. “My dad was into rotational grazing and back in the ’80s, he was one of the first people in the county to buy a no-till drill.”

Over time, LeRoy has converted cropland back to pastureland and intensified the rotation schedule. “We move the cattle every 3-7 days,” he explains. “I really enjoy seeing the grassland flourish as it returns to what nature intended it to be with a lot of different grasses.”

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March/April 2021

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Union Farmer

His efforts are paying off. Today, several native grass species have returned, and the healthier rangeland can support more animal units. “My dad could run 160 cows for six months. On that same land, during my best year, I can run 240 cows for eight months.”

LeRoy says he still sees room for improvement. “The dung beetle has not returned yet,” he says, explaining that the work the beetle does to break up and bury manure improves soil health and reduces fly issues.

To further improve the land, he plans to intensify grazing even more. “Animal impact is a big deal. I would love to move my cattle twice a day to increase hoof action. My goal for most of my grass is to only have critters on it 10 to 14 days and otherwise leave it resting the remaining 350 days.”

Intense grazing does require more labor, and both LeRoy and Sasha spend some of each week working off the ranch. LeRoy is a fieldman for Kimball Livestock Exchange, he also sells semen for Genex. Sasha works for Kimball Livestock part time.

LeRoy and Sasha also have a feedlot where they background cattle and do some custom feeding.

To keep up with on-ranch work, the family all chips in to help with morning and evening feedings. They also breed their cows to calve in May. “We have nearly no calving

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difficulties and the weather lets us calve out on a quarter section of grass. And the cows need a lot less to make it through the winter so we save on feed costs,” LeRoy says.

“We can go out and check calves in short sleeves and on horseback,” Sasha adds.

This calving season things will be a bit different. Because after leasing land from his mom for more than 20 years, the couple sold their cow herd to help finance purchasing the ranch in fall 2020. “If it were not for my mom leasing this land to us all these years, we would not have been able to do this,” LeRoy explains. “Taking over ownership is kinda scary, but it is the right time.”

They are building their herd back by purchasing bred heifers.

“My vision for this place has always been to leave it better for the next generation,” LeRoy says.

And right now, the next generation appreciates the opportunity, explains their 16-year-old daughter, Swayze. “A 9-to-5 job sounds nice, but I really don’t see myself doing that after growing up outside with horses and in nature.”

A sophomore in high school, Swayze says

she is exploring career options that will allow her to spend time with livestock or outdoors.

In addition to chores and rodeo, Swayze and her siblings are also actively involved in 4-H. “I enjoy being able to work with and show cattle – especially the people I get to meet doing it and friends I get to see,” Swayze says.

Through 4-H, the Ness kids have developed showmanship and public speaking skills, and most recently, Synch also learned how to trap. “I belong to a 4-H trapping club. We talk all about the traps, and what tracks to look for and how to set the traps,” explains the 12-year-old. “I like setting traps and coming in every day to see if I caught anything.”

LeRoy and Sasha appreciate the life skills their children gain through involvement in rodeo and 4-H. “It’s not all about purple ribbons. When they don’t win the ribbon they want, that’s how they learn how to handle hard things life throws them,” LeRoy explains.

And like everything on the Ness ranch, the entire family gets involved, Sasha and LeRoy serve as 4-H leaders.

To view more photos and watch a video of the Ness family ranch, visit www.sdfu.org and click on the S.D. Farm & Ranch Families link under the About Us tab. n By Lura Roti for SDFU March/April 2021

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Union Farmer Grassroots Policy Set by Farmers & Ranchers for Farmers & Ranchers

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ost family farmers and ranchers need a second job. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 89.6 percent do not earn the majority of their income from their agriculture operations. A motivating fact if ever there was one, said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in his March 1 address to family farmers and ranchers during the 2021 Virtual National Farmers Union Convention.

“I cannot think of a more significant statistic than that to suggest and urge all of us to work on transforming our food system in this country so that more farmers, ranchers and producers have a chance to get the majority of their income from farming, ranching and production operations,” Vilsack said.

For more than a century, fair prices for family farmers and ranchers have been an overarching focus of the grassroots policy discussed during the organization’s national convention. The 2021 policy focus was no different. In fact, among the first items of business during the virtual convention was to amend organization bylaws to ensure only farmers and ranchers or former farmers and ranchers can serve as delegates.

“South Dakota Farmers Union members are in strong agreement that it is important

our consumers know where their food comes from. This is why policy remains focused on reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling (COOL). We feel the same way about ensuring our grassroots policy comes from family farmers and ranchers,” says Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) President and fourth-generation Conde farmer.

Sombke is quick to Doug Sombke explain that anyone who S.D. Farmers Union President wants to advocate and support family farmers and ranchers can serve as an engaged member of Farmers Union. The amendment to the bylaws does not hinder non-farmers from participating during policy discussion or serving as expert consultants. This update simply ensures that to vote, delegates need to meet the USDA definition of a farmer.

“If you read the definition, it becomes clear that it’s a pretty low threshold,” explains Aberdeen farmer and SDFU delegate Rachel Kippley.

Among the qualifiers, an individual only needs to earn $1,000 or have $1,000 invested in production agriculture for the USDA to consider them a farmer or rancher.

“When we go to D.C. to lobby on behalf of the policy our members vote on, we tell congressional leaders that this policy is developed by farmers and ranchers. This amendment ensures this. It ensures farmers’ and ranchers’ voices are heard. It is hugely important, and I think Farmers Union should be proud of this change,” explains Hank Wonnenberg, SDFU delegate Dallas cattle producer and Burke banker.

Wonnenberg and Kippley were among the seven SDFU delegates to join with 70 percent of delegates from across the nation, to vote in favor of the amendment.

Interestingly enough, most of the SDFU family farmer/rancher delegates align with the USDA statistic Vilsack shared – holding down a second job off the farm to keep their farming or ranching operation sustainable.

“This is why we need to stay involved – to ensure policies are set up to make it possible for us small and medium-size farmers to make a living and be profitable on our farms,” says Jeff Kippley, SDFU delegate, Aberdeen farmer and

Comments from Your NFU Delegates South Dakota Farmers Union delegates elected to serve during the 2020 State Convention worked hard representing South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers during the 2021 National Farmers Union Convention policy meeting. Read on to hear some of their thoughts about speakers, policy and other aspects of this convention.

De Smet farmer and crop insurance adjuster Rob Lee says serving as a delegate to the National Farmers Union Convention is a way to stay engaged.

“A senator who spoke to the group yesterday reinforced the idea that if you are not at the table, you are on the table. It is important that we as farmers are here, we are part of the conversation and we are representing the interests of farmers.”

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March/April 2021

SDFU delegate Jeff Kippley is a crop and cattle producer as well as a tax preparer. He was impressed by what U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack had to say to Farmers Union members.

“I appreciated that if we are going to do something with carbon sequestration, Secretary Vilsack acknowledged that it has to be done in a way that provides financial gain to farmers. It has been a concern of mine that we as farmers will have to do the work but someone else will make money from what we do to increase carbon sequestration.”

After hearing comments from Vilsack and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Wolsey farmer and delegate to the National Farmers Union

Convention, Bill Chase had this to say: “I am excited for what could happen here in the future. It is good to finally have some opportunities in front of us.”

During the 2021 National Farmers Union Convention, delegates voted to amend the organization’s bylaws to ensure only farmers and ranchers could vote on policy developed by the organization. SDFU delegate Jenae Hansen had this to say about the decision.

“So many times our farmers and ranchers are getting overlooked. Their voice and their experiences are going to be very different than anyone else’s. When you look at a

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Union Farmer tax preparer. “I would love to see the day when running 300 cows would be enough for a farmer to not need a side job.”

Through the tax preparation business he operates with his wife, Rachel, Jeff sees the struggles of South Dakota farmers firsthand.

“Consolidation of the packing plants has hurt cattle markets to the point that raising cattle is costing producers. I just did a tax return for a producer who runs 300 cows and lost $40,000 doing it.”

Enforcing antitrust laws to protect cattle producers as well as food processing and reinstating COOL were the focus of one of four Special Orders of Business passed by NFU Convention delegates. These were also priorities outlined by Vilsack.

“With the new administration we have a good opportunity to influence positive change,” Wonnenberg says. “It was exciting to hear Vilsack mention reinstatement of COOL.” Producers’ role in climate change was also a focus of Vilsack and other congressional leaders, who addressed members during the convention. In addition to Vilsack, during convention delegates and members heard from Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member and John Boozman (R-Ark.), Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member.

As he listened to their talks, Wolsey farmer, Bill Chase said he was encouraged. “I was happy

to hear that when they talked about carbon sequestration, they were clear to state that programs need to be developed in such a way that they are to the farmer’s advantage.”

“This is why we need to stay involved – to ensure policies are set up to make it possible for us small and medium-size farmers to make a living and be profitable on our farms. I would love to see the day when running 300 cows would be enough for a farmer to not need a side job.”

– Jeff Kippley, SDFU delegate, Aberdeen farmer and tax preparer Chase was also encouraged by Vilsack’s comments concerning the fact that he does not expect the EPA, under the new administration, to give out renewable fuels’ waivers. “I am excited for what could happen here in the future. It is good to finally have some opportunities in front of us.”

He said he enjoyed serving as a delegate, “because it is gratifying to know policy that comes from the grassroots to our state conventions, moves up the line to National Farmers Union and then D.C.” Jeff Kippley agrees. “I was concerned that with

everyone wanting to do something with carbon sequestration, they would make us change onfarm practices, but someone else would make money from it. Carbon sequestration policy cannot be set up for the profit of investors. It has to be for the farmers.”

Working for farmers is the reason Rob Lee, a De Smet farmer and SDFU delegate, is actively involved in Farmers Union. “A senator who spoke to the group yesterday reinforced the idea that if you are not at the table, you are on the table. It is important that we as farmers are here, we are part of the conversation and we are representing the interests of farmers.”

Lee served on the SDFU Policy Committee summer 2020. He said he appreciated the inside look into how policy developed by members at the county level is then voted into policy at the State Convention and then discussed and voted on again at National Convention.

“Bottom line, for an agriculture producer in South Dakota, it is important to see that what is important to us, can carry weight at a national level and become part of a Special Order and policy,” Lee says.

For Jenae Hansen, being a part of an organization like Farmers Union, where she knows her voice is heard, is why she invests time to serve as a delegate. “So many times, our farmers and ranchers are getting overlooked.

Their voice and their experiences are going to

NFU Policy Continued on Page 8

Comments from Your NFU Delegates state like South Dakota, who combined the Department of Agriculture with another department, which is kind of watering down the voice of producers, it is great to belong to an organization, that is headed in the opposite direction – an organization that is making sure agriculture producers’ voices are being heard.”

Gerri Eide is a partner in her family’s Gettysburg farm. She felt strongly about the bylaws change that would ensure, all delegates voting on National Farmers Union policy are actually farmers or ranchers.

Along with all South Dakota Farmers Union delegates, she voted for the change which did pass. “I think this bylaws change is very important. After growing up on our farm, there were many years when I was out of

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production agriculture myself, so I understand that you can advocate for agriculture and believe in agriculture. But it is not the same as when you are working in the field and dealing with day-to-day operations and decisions.”

Aberdeen farmer and SDFU delegate Rachel Kippley also commented on the bylaws change.

“I think we already have enough of that (nonfarmer input) coming down from bureaucrats making rules. It is vitally important that an organization who has the best interest of farmers. Folks who say, ‘I represent the farmers,’ that is nice to say, but do you have the experience and walked a mile in their shoes? If you have not, you may not be representing farmers. This bylaws change is the difference between Farmers

Union and so many other organizations.”

Dallas Farmer and SDFU delegate Hank Wonnenberg gave the invocation during the opening ceremonies for the National Farmers Union Convention. He began by sharing that he was wearing his grandpa’s suit coat in remembrance of his grandpa Hank Kerner and his grandma Alvina Wonnenberg, who the family lost to COVID-19 this year.

“During these challenging times we still have so much to be thankful for. Help us to remember to keep God the center of our lives because you control all things, we thank you for this great organization, Farmers Union, where we as ag producers can come together to help one another. We are not alone…

Farmers Union’s grassroots’ efforts shape our policy decisions; we ask for your guidance.”

March/April 2021

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Union Farmer

Wessington Springs Farmer Scott Kolousek Receives National Farmers Union Award for Increasing County Membership

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ational Farmers Union recognized Wessington Springs cattle producer Scott Kolousek for his work encouraging other family farmers and ranchers to join South Dakota Farmers Union with the Bruce Miller Membership Award during the 2021 NFU Virtual Convention.

Since 2017, Kolousek worked to more than double Jerauld County’s membership.

A third-generation Farmers Union member and fifth-generation farmer, Kolousek says many of the family farmers he asked, joined Farmers Union for the same reason he and his wife, Amber, became actively involved.

“We started getting more involved around 2015 after the collapse of the cattle markets because I started paying more attention to the outside influences impacting the markets,” explains Kolousek, a cow/calf producer who farms with his parents, Dick and Janet. “I realized if we’re gonna have a future out here, we needed to try and get things changed. I’m still skeptical about the markets, but at least I know Farmers Union is fighting for policy that could have a positive impact.”

In 2018, Kolousek was elected to serve as Jerauld County President. When he reviewed the membership list, he saw a need. “The average age of our members was getting up there, I knew for the future health of our organization, we needed to get some more younger farmers involved.”

“I realized if we’re gonna have a future out here, we needed to try and get things changed. I’m still skeptical about the markets, but at least I know Farmers Union is fighting for policy that could have a positive impact.”

– Scott Kolousek So, he reached out to the state office and asked Rocky Forman, Member Services Coordinator, to help. Together, Forman and Kolousek spent a day making farm visits to area cattle producers Kolousek knows. “I chose to visit other producers who I knew would be interested in being a part of Farmers Union because the organization stands up for cattle producers.”

Because these were friends and neighbors, it wasn’t exactly cold calling, but Kolousek

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March/April 2021

National Farmers Union recognized Wessington Springs cattle producer Scott Kolousek (left) for his work encouraging other family farmers and ranchers to join South Dakota Farmers Union with the Bruce Miller Membership Award during the 2021 NFU Virtual Convention. He is a fifth-generation Jerauld County farmer, pictured here with his dad, Dick.

says he appreciated Forman’s input and support. “I’m not a salesman, so this was not natural for me, but Rocky was there to help,” he says.

By day’s end, Kolousek and Forman had signed up 20 new Farmers Union members.

A few months later, when it was time to invite members to attend the annual county meeting, the Kolouseks decided to try something different. Because the weather was not cooperative in January when they would typically hold the meeting, they decided to host the meeting on their farm in August. And instead of a typical business meeting, they decided to make it a social.

They used allocation funds and bought watermelon, beverages and brats and hosted a grill out and BBQ. Again, Kolousek reached out to the state office for help. They sent postcard invitations.

“If you are looking for ways to grow membership, utilize the state office,” Kolousek says.

Kolousek also reached out to businesses he works with – like his farm’s fuel provider. His local fuel provider learned about Kolousek’s involvement in Farmers Union in 2016 after the state convention.

“I called my fuel provider and said I wanted to only use E30 on my farm. After my call, he began carrying E30,” Scott says.

“I invited him and his wife to our grill out and they signed up to become members.”

Jerauld County hosted their annual business meeting and then everyone enjoyed an evening of socializing together. More than 50 farmers attended. The Kolouseks invited some non-members that evening who also joined.

When asked why he thought so many attended, Kolousek replied: “Who wants to drive 15 minutes into town in the middle of January for a meeting, when they can meet up in August and enjoy a grill out?”

He added that the 2019 annual meeting reminded him of stories his dad tells of how Farmers Union meetings used to be when he was a kid. “Everyone would get together for the meeting and then they would have a big picnic or a card party after.”

Due to the pandemic, Jerauld County 2020 annual meeting was not a social event.

But Kolousek says he and Amber plan to host another social event this summer for the 2021 annual meeting. n www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Farmers Union National Convention Speakers Say Market Consolidation Costs Farmers, Ranchers & Consumers

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mpacts of market consolidation on farmers and ranchers was the focus of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s Feb. 26 presentation to producers during the 2021 National Farmers Union Virtual Convention.

“Farmers are paying a lot more, but not getting a lot more,” Klobuchar says. She shared that this is largely due to market consolidation – noting just two companies sell 80 percent of all corn seed. And the Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, pointed out increased input costs do not translate to increased profits.

“When it comes to selling crops and livestock, farmers and ranchers have ever fewer options as they struggle to get a fair price,” Klobuchar says.

Fair prices has been a focus of Farmers Union since its start more than a century ago, explains South Dakota Farmers Union President and National Farmers Union Treasurer Doug Sombke.

“Farmers and ranchers are not looking for handouts. They seek fair prices and ask the federal government to enforce antitrust laws which are in place,” explains Sombke, a fourth-generation Conde farmer.

Driven by extreme price disparities between what packers paid producers and what they charged retail outlets, Sombke explained that in recent years SDFU policy has focused on advocating for antitrust investigation into packers.

“As the largest agriculture organization in the state, we tirelessly advocate for what is best for South Dakota family farmers, ranchers and rural communities.”

– Doug Sombke, SDFU President Looking to increased competition among meat packers, Klobuchar discussed the bipartisan RAMP-UP Act (short for Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants Act). She credited support from Farmers Union members in helping make the RAMP-UP Act part of the December COVID19 relief bill.

“I don’t need to tell you about what’s been happening with meat packing,” Klobuchar says. “This (RAMP-UP Act) provides funding www.sdfu.org

Impacts of market consolidation on farmers and ranchers was the focus of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s Feb. 26 presentation to producers during the 2021 National Farmers Union Virtual Convention.

Klobuchar is pictured here with National Farmers Union President Rob Larew (left) and Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish.

to help small and medium packers to make improvements necessary to meet federal inspections. It will allow them to make sales across state lines. The issue here is, it is easier for big companies to meet federal standards and harder for small, which is why our focus overall, beyond ag has been on small businesses.”

Biofuels were also part of Klobuchar’s talk. “To me, this is, in a way, just another monopoly issue. Oil is trying to drive out biofuels and control the pumps.”

To further support biofuels and higher ethanol blends, like E30, Klobuchar teamed up with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, to introduce the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act of 2021. This bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a grant program to support the deployment of renewable fuel infrastructure.

Klobuchar also mentioned she is confident the new administration will not be giving out “midnight renewable fuel waivers,” to refineries.

SDFU is a long-time advocate and

supporter of ethanol production. In fact, a few hours after Klobuchar’s talk, Sombke joined with POET’s Rob Walther, Vice President Federal Advocacy, to discuss the role of biofuels in a new congress and administration.

“As the largest agriculture organization in the state, we tirelessly advocate for what is best for South Dakota family farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” Sombke says. “Our state’s ethanol industry provides a local market for corn as well as its co-product DDGs (dried distillers grain), which many of our cattle producers rely upon.”

Renewable fuels, fair prices for cattle producers and enforcement of antitrust laws were discussed by farmers and ranchers from across the nation during the Virtual NFU Convention March 1-2.

“This is grassroots policy in action,” Sombke says. “Policy for farmers and ranchers, established by farmers and ranchers.”

Watch a live stream of Klobuchar’s and Sombke’s talks as well as policy discussion, by visiting www.NFU.org. n March/April 2021

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Union Farmer Salem Farmer Serves Second Term on 2021 National Farmers Union Policy Committee

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n 2020, Salem farmer Jim Wahle traveled to D.C. to spend a week combing through National Farmers Union policy with Farmers Union members from states across the U.S. as a member of the National Farmers Union Policy Committee.

During the 2020 National Farmers Union held in Savannah, Ga., he helped draft Special Orders brought forth by Farmers Union organizations from across the U.S., and he helped oversee policy discussions.

Wahle says he valued the experience, but when the convention was over and it was time to board the plane home to South Dakota, he was ready to get back to his farm and hand this committee position off to another member for the 2021 National Convention.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. And because travel to and from D.C. and spending a week together was not recommended, National Farmers Union asked Wahle and the other members of the 2020 Policy Committee to return to serve virtually for the 2021 Virtual Convention.

Wahle is a family farmer who strongly believes in grassroots policy development. He has been actively involved in Farmers Union for more than two decades, spending more than 10 years on the board of directors representing District 2. For all these reasons, Wahle said, “yes,” to serving

NFU Policy Continued from Page 5 be very different than anyone else’s. When you look at a state like South Dakota, who recently combined the Department of Agriculture with another department, which is kind of watering down the voice of producers, it is great to belong to an organization, that is headed in the opposite direction – an organization that is making sure agriculture producers’ voices are being heard.”

And even though 2021 policy discussion was virtual, the voice of South Dakota’s producers was heard, explained Gerri Eide.

“Important issues were still dealt with and the delegates put in the time and effort to make sure our voices were heard,” says Eide, an SDFU delegate and partner in her family’s Gettysburg farm.

Eide served as a delegate in 2020. She said that even though the platform was virtual, many aspects of the in-person convention still occurred.

“There was a delegate chat, visible only to

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Salem farmer and long-time SDFU member Jim Wahle was asked to serve a second term on National Farmers Union Policy Committee. Wahle is pictured here during the 2020 in-person NFU Convention.

the organization with a second term on the Policy Committee.

“It made sense. I don’t think you can do this job justice, if you have never worked together before, unless you are able to meet in person,” Wahle explains. “We were not able to meet in person this year, but because of last year’s experience, we all knew how things worked. We were familiar with the policy. We understood the

Special Orders because we helped draft them.”

In 2022, the National Convention is expected to be hosted in person in Denver. And Wahle may attend, but he says it will be as a member or delegate, because once again, he is eager to give another member the opportunity to serve in this committee position.

To review National Farmers Union policy and Special Orders, visit www.nfu.org. n

Tribute to Orrie Swayze Farmers Union Convention, SDFU President Doug Sombke took the opportunity to honor South Dakota Farmers Union member, and “ethanol missionary,” Orrie Swayze. “South Dakota Farmers Union and National Farmers Union lost a legend in this particular field of agriculture and ethanol. Orrie Swayze recently passed away. He was truly an ethanol legend.

Orrie was more than Mr. Ethanol, he was a proud family man, farmer and veteran. I was proud to work with him. Orrie never missed As National Farmers Union delegates

a South Dakota legislative session. To honor

discussed Special Order of Business, Family

Orrie, lets fill up with E30 or higher ethanol

Farmers and BioFuels during the 2021 National

blends.” n

delegates, where side conversations could go on, like they would during an in-person convention,

only on a virtual platform, they were visible to all delegates.” n

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Union Farmer

2021 Legislative Update

By Mitch Richter

The 2021 legislative session just wrapped up.

Our eyes and ears in Pierre, lobbyist Mitch Richter, wrote the following update reflecting on the issues and policy that impacts South Dakota Farmers Union members.

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egislative Session 2021 was truly unique.

Due to the pandemic, face-to-face interaction with the public was greatly reduced. Many South Dakotans just didn’t feel safe showing up to testify. There was the option to testify remotely – but as we all know after a year of Zoom meetings – virtual just is not the same. And the sidebar conversations that typically occur between folks in the hallways or before and after session just weren’t happening.

This disconnect contributed to some bills passing or not passing.

However, South Dakota Farmers Union felt it was very important that we represent our members and policy in person. Your policy and voice were represented.

Looking ahead to 2022 session, I anticipate a much more normal session thanks to the vaccine rollout.

Overall, 2021 was a good session for agriculture & rural communities. Millions of dollars of COVID relief funds were allocated to projects that will benefit agriculture and rural communities.

• $20 million allocated to upgrading railroad infrastructure • $12 million to construction of the Event Complex on the State Fair Grounds • $3 million to Big Sioux River clean up • $75 million to broadband expansion

House Concurrent Resolution 6006 Introduced by: Rep. May

• $11 million in one-time funds to schools as well as a 2.4 percent increase in teacher pay The Merger South Dakota Farmers Union policy stood in opposition to the governor’s executive order to merge the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Working to reverse this order saw many challenges.

SDFU was the only agriculture organization to stand in opposition.

Very few organizations supported the merger, however instead of opposing the merger, they took a neutral stance.

We were hopeful when Senate Resolution of Disapproval or SRD 901 passed out of committee. If passed, SRD 901 would not allow Gov. Kristi Noem’s executive order to go into effect. Your SDFU team worked tirelessly, along with others – primarily wildlife and natural resource groups – in opposition to the merger, but unfortunately, SRD 901 failed by one vote.

This was a lonely fight. Although we did not win, the bipartisan support SRD 901 received is testament to the ability SDFU has to work with everyone on behalf of South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers.

The departments will remain merged until this governor or a future governor decides to provide our state’s No. 1 industry of agriculture with the dedicated department it deserves.

Competition and Transparency Among Livestock Packers Where SDFU policy saw a win this legislative session, was with House Concurrent Resolution 6006. Focused to help provide fair and transparent markets for our state’s cattle producers, this resolution will be delivered to the U.S. Congress. It urges leaders to work to break up the packer monopoly (see breakout).

If you have questions about Legislative Session 2021 please reach out to me or Doug Sombke. My email is mitchell.richter@gmail. com; Doug’s email is DSombke@sdfu.org. ■

with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry in general, have highlighted the need for additional price transparency measures, in order to ensure that producers receive a fair price for their cattle; and

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Urging efforts to increase competition and transparency among livestock packers.

WHEREAS, cattle prices in South Dakota are significantly affected by the average cash trade nationwide; and

WHEREAS, true price discovery in the livestock industry is achievable only through competitive bidding and cash trades; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota producers have, in recent years, witnessed the largest downturn in the cattle market since the 1930s; and

WHEREAS, market consolidation in the livestock industry has caused large packers to reduce their reliance on spot transactions for the purchase of live cattle; and

WHEREAS, there is a critical need to restore price discovery, not only to ensure a fair and stable market for cattle producers, but to ensure the short-term and long-term economic viability of the United States beef supply system;

WHEREAS, the impact on slaughtering operations following the fire at the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, together

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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the

House of Representatives of the 96th Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the Legislature urges the Congress of the United States to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 7 U.S.C. § 1621, et seq., with a view to fostering efficient livestock markets and to increasing competition and transparency among packers who purchase livestock, by requiring that at least 50 percent of each packer’s weekly value of beef for slaughter be purchased on the open market; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, the speaker and clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the president pro tempore and secretary of the United States Senate, and to the members of the South Dakota Congressional delegation.

March/April 2021

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2021 Legislative Session Union Farmer SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD Each year, South Dakota Farmers Union crafts its Legislative Scorecard in an attempt to educate members about some of the legislation the organization worked on throughout the recent legislative session and to give you an idea where lawmakers stand on the bills important to you. We hope this information proves to be valuable to you as a citizen and voter.

Scorecard Legend Y = Legislator Supported Legislation N = Legislator Did Not Support E = Excused A ‘Y’ vote does not necessarily mean they voted ‘Yes’ during the committee or floor vote. An ‘N’ vote does not necessarily mean a lawmaker voted ‘No.’ Some Yes votes were meant to defeat measures. Some No votes were meant to keep from defeating a measure.

STATE SENATE

SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on

Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote (Y) (Y) (Y) (Y) (Y) (N)

Alignment with

Senate Vote SRD Senate Vote HCR Senate Vote SB Senate Vote SB Senate Vote SB Senate Vote SB SDFU Senator District 901 6006 99 93 34 87 (%)

Bolin, Jim Breitling, Bryan Greenfield, Brock Cammack, Gary L Castleberry, Jessica Crabtree, Casey Curd, Blake Johnson, David Diedrich, Michael Duhamel, Helene Duvall, Mary Foster, Red Dawn Frye-Mueller, Julie Heinert, Troy Otten, Herman Hunhoff, Jean Johns, Timothy Klumb, Joshua Kolbeck, Jack Maher, Ryan Nesiba, Reynold Novstrup, Al Rohl, Michael Rusch, Arthur Schoenbeck, Lee Schoenfish, Kyle Stalzer, Jim Steinhauer, Wayne Sutton, Margaret Symens, Marsha Tobin, Erin Smith, V.J. Wheeler, David Wilk, John Zikmund, Larry

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16 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 23 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 2 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 29 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 35 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 8 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 12 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 33 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 34 N Y Y Y Y Y 83% 32 N Y Y Y Y Y 83% 24 N N Y Y Y N 50% 27 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 30 Y Y N Y E E 75% 26 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 6 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 18 N Y Y Y Y Y 83% 31 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 20 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 13 N Y Y Y Y Y 83% 28 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 15 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 3 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 1 Y Y Y E Y N 80% 17 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 5 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 19 N Y Y Y Y Y 83% 11 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 9 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 10 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 25 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 21 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 7 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 22 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 4 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 14 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% TOTAL 17-18 34-1 34-1 34-0-1 34-0-1 15-19-1

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Union Farmer

2021 Legislative Session

STATE HOUSE

SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on SDFU Stance on

Deferral Motion Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Do Pass Vote Deferral Motion (N) (Y) (Y) (Y) (Y) (N) (N)

Representative District

Anderson, David L Aylward, Aaron Bartels, Hugh M Barthel, Doug Beal, Arch Blare, Rocky Bordeaux, Shawn Chaffee, Kirk Chase, Roger D Cwach, Ryan Davis, Sydney Dennert, Drew Derby, Mike Deutsch, Fred Drury, Becky Duba, Linda Finck, Caleb Fitzgerald, Mary Goodwin, Tim Gosch, Spencer Greenfield, Lana Gross, Randy Hansen, Jon Haugaard, Steven G Healy, Erin Hoffman, Charlie Howard, Taffy Jamison, Greg Jensen, Kevin D Jensen, Phil Johnson, Chris Karr, Chris Keintz, Jennifer Koth, Lance Ladner, Trish Lesmeister, Oren L Marty, Sam May, Liz Mills, John Milstead, Rhonda Miskimins, Paul Mortenson, Will Mulally, Tina Odenbach, Scott Olson, Jess Otten, Ernie Overweg, Marty Perry, Carl Peterson, Kent Peterson, Sue Pischke, Tom Pourier, Peri Randolph, Tony Reed, Tim Rehfeldt, Taylor Reimer, Rebecca Schneider, Lynn Smith, Jamie Soye, Bethany St. John, Tamara Stevens, Mike Thompson, Richard Tidemann, Larry Vasgaard, Richard Weis, Kaleb Weisgram, Mike Wiese, Marli Willadsen, Mark Wink, Dean York, Nancy

www.sdfu.org

House Vote SB 24

House Vote HCR 6006

House Vote SB 99

House Vote SB 93

House Vote SB 34

House Vote SB 87

House Vote HB 1141

Alignment With SDFU (%)

16 Y N Y Y Y Y N 71% 6 Y N N N N 20% 10 N Y Y Y N N 50% 12 N Y Y Y N 60% 26a N Y Y Y Y N N 57% 21 Y Y Y Y N 80% 29 Y Y Y Y N Y 83% 29 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 22 N Y Y Y N 60% 18 Y Y Y Y Y 100% 17 N Y Y Y N 60% 3 Y Y Y N N 60% 34 Y Y Y Y Y 100% 4 Y Y Y Y N 80% 32 Y Y Y Y N 80% 15 Y Y Y Y Y 100% 21 Y Y Y Y N 80% 31 Y Y Y N N 60% 30 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 23 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 2 Y Y N Y N 60% 8 N Y Y Y N 60% 25 N Y Y N Y N 50% 10 N N N N N 0% 14 Y Y Y Y Y 100% 23 Y Y Y Y N 80% 33 Y N N N N 20% 12 N Y Y Y N 60% 16 N Y Y Y Y N 67% 33 Y N N N N 20% 32 N Y Y Y Y Y 83% 11 Y Y Y Y E 100% 1 Y Y Y Y Y 100% 20 N Y Y Y Y 80% 30 E Y Y Y N E 75% 28a Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 28b Y N N N N 20% 27 Y N Y N N 40% 4 N Y Y N N 40% 9 Y Y Y N N N 50% 20 N Y Y Y N 60% 24 N Y Y Y N 60% 35 Y N Y N N 40% 31 N Y Y N N 40% 34 Y Y Y Y Y 100% 6 Y Y Y Y Y 100% 19 Y Y Y Y N 80% 3 Y Y Y Y N N 67% 19 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 13 Y Y Y Y N 80% 25 Y Y N N N 40% 27 Y E E E Y 100% 35 Y N N N N 20% 7 Y Y Y Y E N 80% 14 Y E E E N 50% 26B N Y Y Y Y N 67% 22 Y Y Y Y N N 67% 15 Y Y Y Y Y Y 100% 9 Y N N N N 20% 1 Y Y Y Y E 100% 18 N Y Y Y N 60% 13 N Y Y Y Y 80% 7 N Y Y Y E 75% 17 N Y Y Y N N 50% 2 Y Y N N N N 33% 24 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 11 N N Y Y Y N 50% 5 Y Y Y Y Y N 83% 29 Y Y Y Y N 80% 14 Y Y Y Y N 80% TOTAL 6-7 51-18-1 59-9-2 57-11-2 52-16-2 16-50-4 1-11-1

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Union Farmer

Billie Sutton Leadership Institute Launches Rural Leadership Program

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he Billie Sutton Leadership Institute announced the launch of a new rural leadership program, “Rural POWER,” dedicated to “Powering Opportunities While Energizing Rural.”

Billie Sutton, founder of the nonprofit Billie Sutton Leadership Institute, is excited to expand the programs offered by the leadership institute. Sutton knows the importance of rural issues in South Dakota and said: “Rural POWER is people focused, community minded and about re-imaging rural South Dakota through servant leadership and community building.”

Rural POWER is a year-long leadership development program, sponsored by the South Dakota Farmers Union, focused specifically on rural South Dakota. Rural POWER seeks to grow a new generation of rural leaders and encourage involvement in local rural cooperatives providingessential services to South Dakota communities.

South Dakota Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke, said: “The South Dakota Farmers Union is proud to play a part in growing a new generation of rural cooperative leaders serving South Dakota communities and the people who live in them.”

Rural POWER participants will engage in educational leadership training opportunities emphasizing community building and serving your neighbors, while learning from cooperative leaders committed to rural development. Participants will gain the knowledge and enthusiasm to re-imagine and re-energize rural South Dakota.

Rural POWER applications opened on April 1.

Visit suttonleadership.org/ruralpower to learn more about the program or to apply to participate. n

SDFU President Calls for Repeal & Replace of Fuel Economy Rule to Include Octane and Higher Ethanol Blends

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peaking at the National Farmers Union National Convention Feb. 26, South Dakota Chapter President Doug Sombke said ethanol advocates need to prioritize support for a high octane standard in the new fuel economy rule that could triple demand

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for ethanol over the next decade.

Sombke and NFU are spearheading a “Repeal & Replace” campaign along with ethanol producers and other organizations to ensure the announced revision of the previous administration’s Safe Affordable

Fuel Efficiency (SAFE) rule increases the minimum octane standard in U.S. gasoline and recognizes the significant carbon sequestration benefits of corn ethanol.

Repeal & Replace Continued on Page 13 www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

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National Guard troops in D.C. to get Founding Farmers meals

ational Guard troops on duty in our nation’s capital will soon be getting a different taste in the chow line. Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE) donated $50,000 to provide roughly 5,000 soldiers with a nutritious meal from Founding Farmers restaurants, based in the Washington, D.C., area.

“Feeding people is what farmers do,” says Doug Sombke, Chairman of FUE, South Dakota Farmers Union President and a fourth-generation farmer. “We appreciate the National Guard protecting our Capitol and democracy. But their service takes them far from their homes and families, so, it’s our hope that a made-from-scratch meal from our farmer-owned restaurants reminds them a bit of their homes and loved ones and shows how much we appreciate their sacrifice.”

FUE is made up of several Farmers Union-owned businesses in the Upper Midwest – the dividends of which help fund Farmers Union organizations in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, as well as FUE programs and National Farmers Union.

Dan Simons, manager of Founding Farmers and Farmers Restaurant Group, said lunch and dinner meals will be delivered next week to the National Guard for distribution through their foodservice network.

Repeal & Replace Continued from Page 12 Sombke noted that EPA had previously requested comments on octane and how it could be increased consistent with Title II of the Clean Air Act, which includes the requirement that the agency limit toxic and carcinogenic aromatic compounds currently used for octane.

“A 98-100 Doug Sombke Research Octane Number (RON) would open the market for high octane, low carbon ethanol blends like E30,” says Sombke. “Automakers have confirmed that they can significantly increase www.sdfu.org

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE) announced it will be donating $50,000 to provide roughly 5,000 soldiers with a nutritious meal from Founding Farmers restaurants, based in the Washington, D.C., area.

“Heart. Generosity. Farming. Security.

Service. The ingredients in this recipe are amazing on their own and even more remarkable together,” Simons says. “My team and I are honored to be able to provide delish meals to those who serve and protect each and every day, and have

efficiency with this level of octane. Using ethanol we reduce carbon emissions to meet not only climate change goals but to protect against particulate emissions that can carry Covid and other viruses.”

With the future of the RFS uncertain after 2022, it is critical that ethanol create new demand, he said, and ethanol is well positioned to contribute to the Biden administration’s goals of climate, health, environmental justice and renewable energy.

He also dismissed any immediate threat of electric vehicles, pointing out that with 270 million gasoline powered cars on the road and 15 million more being sold every year there will be continued reliance on gasoline. Less than 2 percent of current vehicles are electric with most experts predicting an increase to

sincere gratitude to our farmer-owners for their generosity with funding this mission.”

Anyone wishing to donate to this humanitarian effort can do so online through the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. Go to sdfufoundation.org and click on “Donate.” n

just 5 percent over the next decade.

And, he added, EPA is required to reduce the toxics in gasoline. “They need to do their job and protect public health now, regardless of if and when we see EVs make a significant impact on the auto market.”

We are seeing new science emerging every day with respect to the carbon sequestration value of corn, making corn ethanol’s ghg reductions superior to anything in the market today. Couple that with promising test results on E30 here in South Dakota and in the soon to be released state test in Nebraska and we have a great story to tell, says Sombke.

“That is why our mantra needs to be high octane and low carbon to ensure we can address the core of the problem which, for the foreseeable future, is gasoline.” n March/April 2021

13

Union Farmer

COOPERATION: s n io ct e n n o C e h t e t a r b Cele

State Leadership Camp SAVE THE DATE!

June 14-18, 2021

$75 members/$100 nonmembers Scholarships Available!!

Contact Rachel: 605-450-1000

STATE CAMP RETURNS!!!

Join Us!!

Safety Measures Will Be Implemented TO REGISTER, VISIT SDFU.ORG AND CLICK ON EDUCATION LINK.

Please contact Rachel with questions: Rachel@sdfu.org 14

March/April 2021

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer SDFU Summer Camps 2021

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his year’s South Dakota Farmers Union summer camp theme is “Celebrate the Connections.” After a highly difficult year on many fronts, celebrations and connections are something leadership and youth are truly excited about.

“I just think kids are really needing to have these interactions,” says SDFU Executive Director Karla Hofhenke. “I have no doubt we’re going to have great and safe camps.”

Last year, South Dakota Farmers Union found ways to adjust, holding virtual camps and virtual speakers. Keeping safe connections will be just as important this year.

As Education Director Rachel HaighBlume and youth leaders plan this year’s camps, the activities will be in person, but still following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Camp Association guidelines.

“We’ll be doing camp a little differently.

Usually everyone interacts with everyone,”

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says Haigh-Blume. “We’re planning activities in smaller groups so campers stay within their circles, and being in the Black Hills, we can do a lot of things outside.”

Even with special precautions, South Dakota Farmers Union is excited to offer something closer to a normal camp experience.

“There is a greater need for connections, now more than ever.”

– Rachel Haigh-Blume “We’ve had a lot of kids impacted both socially and mentally this last year. There’s still the stress of not seeing loved ones or having lost loved ones,” says Haigh-Blume. “There is a greater need for connections, now more than ever.”

Besides the usual fun of getting outdoors, challenge courses, leadership exercises and

camp dances, camps will place an emphasis on having good conversations about current events and the events of the past year.

Speaker Malcom Chapman, Rapid City, is a long-time community leader and popular South Dakota Farmers Union fixture.

Chapman will speak on diversity, relationships and having productive conversations.

Other fun activities are planned, too, with an emphasis on the cooperative model.

Camp is hosting an Italian-style murder mystery dinner “The Death of Cooperation.”

Campers will also have lip-sync battles, selfdefense training and take part in teamwork building. Each day will also have a holiday theme and campers will be encouraged to celebrate connections with costumes and related activities.

State Camp is planned for June 14-18 at Storm Mountain Center outside Rapid City.

For more information, contact Rachel HaighBlume at 605-352-6761 ext. 125. n March/April 2021

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Union Farmer

E30 Safe for Non-flex Fuel Vehicles & Cuts CO2 Emissions According to University of Nebraska Study

I

f 10 percent of Nebraskans fueled up their non-flex fuel vehicles with 30 percent ethanol, CO2 emissions would decrease by 64,000 tons per year. This is according to results of a year-long University of Nebraska Study, Redefining Renewable Fuels, released February 2021.

If these same Nebraskans fueled up with E30, the study said it would increase ethanol consumption by 18.5 million gallons per year.

A result that could have a dramatic and positive impact on corn farmers and their communities, says Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President. “This could triple the grind easy,” he says. “I get a kick out of everyone always talking about exporting corn and ethanol. We have the largest market for the products right here in the U.S. We drive more vehicles than anyone.”

Focusing on the higher ethanol blend, E30, the study conducted by the university’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering reviewed performance of 24 non-flex vehicles manufactured between 2013 and 2015. When fueled with E30, the study indicated these vehicles showed “no observable negative effects in their overall performance.”

The results of the University of Nebraska study did not surprise Sombke, because in 2016, Glacial Lakes Energy, an ethanol production cooperative headquartered in Watertown launched a similar study, dubbed “The E30 Challenge.” The E30 Challenge

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Courtesy photo

If 10 percent of Nebraskans fueled up their nonflex fuel vehicles with 30 percent ethanol, CO2 emissions would decrease by 64,000 tons per year. This is according to results of a year-long University of Nebraska study, “Redefining Renewable Fuels,” released February 2021.

results mirror those of the University of Nebraska, explains Glacial Lakes Energy, CEO, Jim Seurer.

“Non-flex fuel vehicles are able to adapt to the higher oxygen content of E30 and there was no effect on vehicle performance,” Seurer says. “In fact, in most cases, our tests indicated that vehicles actually performed better with the Premium E30 than they did with E10. Engine performance actually improved.”

Since the E30 Challenge began in 2016, drivers in Watertown and Aberdeen have purchased more than 7 million gallons of E30 and driven more than 150 million miles with no issues.

The reduction in CO2 emissions was the one factor that surprised Seurer when he read the results of the University of Nebraska study. “This is a huge step. It really validates the role ethanol can play.”

Sombke agrees. “The results of this study take the benefits of fueling up with higher ethanol blends to another level. CO2 was not something we had concentrated on.”

Sombke explains that in addition to vehicle performance, previous studies have been done that show the octane qualities of E30 allow it to replace carcinogenic fuel additives making tailpipe emissions safer.

With the recent scientific data pointing to significant reductions in CO2, Sombke and Seurer hope the results of this study motivate drivers across the Midwest to fuel up with E30. A step some South Dakota municipalities have already taken.

Results of the E30 Challenge motivated all Watertown city vehicles to fuel up with E30. And in 2017, Brown County Commission voted for the county fleet to only use E30.

The State of South Dakota nearly did the same but opted to fuel only the state’s flexfuel vehicles with E30.

Decisions made by government officials can make a big impact. In Nebraska, the university study indicated if all state-owned vehicles fueled up with E30, ethanol consumption would increase by 66,000 gallons and CO2 emissions would decrease by 529 tons per year.

Reviewing this data Seurer says, “Just think of the impact if 100 percent of Nebraska drivers fueled up with E30.”

Ethanol consumption would increase to 185 million gallons and drivers could reduce CO2 emissions by 640,000 tons.

“Any state that has an ethanol presence should grab on to this study because the ethanol industry has such a big economic impact on states like South Dakota,” Seurer says. “This is a homegrown product that we can convert to a higher value product and reap the benefits.”

To learn more and review the complete study, read this news release at www.sdfu. org. n www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

Cattle Markets May Be in for An Upswing Predicts Ag Economist

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ou know current agriculture markets are unique when a seasoned agriculture economist refers to them as “fluid and strange.” That’s exactly how Mike Pearson, anchor of This Week in Agribusiness described current markets when he addressed South Dakota producers during a February 9 webinar hosted by South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU).

“It’s a strange and fluid situation we are in, and many are wondering how best to make decisions to move forward,” Pearson says.

Wayne Soren would count himself among the many farmers trying to navigate the unique situation. “Before we started harvest last fall, we were told there was 3 billion bushels of corn on hand. Right now, there’s only 1.5. So, things turned around really fast,” explains the Lake Preston crop and cattle producer.

Like many producers, Soren was encouraged by 2020 markets. “We sat here for three or four years with below production prices, and finally we were able to sell at a profit.”

Like most farmers, Soren knows his farm expenses well. So, when he saw the opportunity to market his grain at a profit, he sold most of it. And then the markets continued to increase. “What we were told was going to be a huge supply of corn and soybeans, all the sudden turned into, whoops we don’t have enough soybeans to get through harvest.”

Unexpected export demand from China surprised the market, Pearson explained.

And until Brazilian grain crop is harvested, U.S. corn and soybean markets are expected to remain strong. “Supplies can change quickly, we have Brazilian crop that will be coming out shortly,” Pearson says. “Upsets can happen.”

“My big takeaway from this webinar is, things have improved a lot, but you need to keep looking at all the different fundamentals when making marketing

www.sdfu.org

decisions,” says Soren, who also serves as Vice President of SDFU, the state’s largest agriculture organization.

Making sure he has plenty of information is among the reasons Soren makes time for educational seminars throughout the winter months. “Going to school is a never-ending process. You need to make the time to listen to people who can help you in your job. And my job is agriculture.”

Providing educational opportunities to members and their families is part of the mission of SDFU. “Education is right there in our symbol, right alongside legislation and cooperatives,” Soren explains.

With this focus in mind, each year the organization invests in youth camps and producer education. Due to the pandemic, this year SDFU leadership saw an informational webinar series as a safe and effective way to provide information to producers.

Pearson’s presentation is one of four webinars the organization is offering to producers at no cost this winter.

“It’s a good way to participate during a pandemic,” says Kurt Bindenagel, a Frankfort crop and cattle farmer. “Webinars are a good way to keep informed and learn about topics without having to be in person.”

Of the topics and information covered by Pearson, one fact in particular stood out to Bindenagel. “When he shared that in 2018, Americans spent more on food purchased in restaurants than in grocery stores, I never would have guessed that,” Bindenagel says.

Due to the pandemic this trend came to a screeching halt, Pearson explained. However, once consumers feel safe, he expects the trend to pick back up and this could have positive implications for cattle producers.

“Live cattle market, it is the market I am most bullish on through today and summer,” Pearson says (no pun intended.) “If people can go back out to restaurants, we will see incredible demand for beef.”

This information also stood out to Hank

Kurt Bindenagel, a Frankfort crop and cattle farmer.

Wonnenberg, a Dallas cattle producer and banker. “There’s a pretty good chance there may be a run on the cattle market once the pandemic ends. As a cattle producer, I may not be able to take advantage because it just depends on when my calves are ready to sell.

But, if the markets help one segment of the beef industry, it will benefit other areas as well.”

Like Bindenagel, Wonnenberg has tuned in to each of the SDFU Producer Hour webinars. “Mike Pearson has such an interesting perspective on how current events could impact markets going forward.

These are good things to keep in mind,” Wonnenberg says.

If you were unable to tune in to the webinar with Mike Pearson, visit www.SDFU. org to view this and other webinars from the series at no cost. Webinars can be found in the Media Library link under the News & Events tab. n By Lura Roti for SDFU

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Union Farmer Transition Planning Takes Care of Tomorrow’s What Ifs

Wessington Springs’ farmer Pat Fastnacht was among many South Dakota producers to tune in for the Jan. 26 South Dakota Farmers Union Producer Hour webinar featuring Poppy Davis, a Certified Public Accountant who teaches and advises on agricultural business and policy issues affecting family-scale farmers and ranchers.

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ransition and succession planning was the focus of the Jan. 26 South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) Producer Hour webinar featuring Poppy Davis, a Certified Public Accountant who teaches and advises on agricultural business and policy issues affecting family-scale farmers and ranchers.

“Succession planning may be one of the most important topics that farmers and ranchers need education on,” says Chad Johnson, a Groton farmer and SDFU board member. “I am a firm believer that without planning, I could have been that guy who farmed his entire life and then lost his farm when his parents died because there was no plan in place.”

In fact, not knowing what would happen to the farm if his dad, uncle or mom passed haunted Johnson.

“Sometimes Dad, Mom and my uncle would all jump in one vehicle and go to town together. It always scared me. What if something awful, like a car crash happened and took all three of their lives? And left me not knowing anything or having anything in place,” says the Groton farmer.

That all changed after he heard a talk on farm succession during a 2014 Farmers Union Young Producers event. Although the talks were not easy, they did happen and plans were put in place. When his dad passed in 2017 and his uncle in 2019, Chad could focus on grieving their loss and moving forward to ensure their wishes were carried out – because he knew what they wanted.

So where do you start? Davis began by explaining the terms “transition” and

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“succession.”

Basically, a transition plan is temporary and a succession plan is permanent. “A transition plan is in place for the short term, if something goes wrong, you have a solid plan in place to take you and your family and business through a temporary absence,” Davis explains. “If you have a good transition plan, your estate plan will fall into place naturally.”

Transition plans include things like ensuring more than one person in the family knows the passwords to important accounts, can legally access operating loans, checking accounts and ensure that more than one person has the authority to do basic things like sign checks and pay bills.

“Imagine it is a bad day if something happens to you and you are not able to act and function, and now the person who is closest to you can’t do what they need to do because they have to get extra authority given to them. Have a plan in place ahead of time,” Davis says.

She explained that in some cases, the plan is as simple as having a second person down as a co-owner of a checking account.

“This was a timely talk,” says LeAnn Moe, a farm partner. “One of our friends recently lost her husband to COVID and she is having to use a lawyer to gain access to their accounts because they were all in her husband’s name.”

To help families begin the transition conversation, Davis provided all webinar attendees with a spreadsheet of questions.

“As you identify questions that receive low

scores, areas you don’t have a plan for, write those down and make it your goal to answer that question and figure out who is doing that thing.”

Moe attended the virtual seminar by herself but plans to re-watch it with her husband and son, Chet, who is hoping to return to the family farm full time after college. “I printed off three spreadsheets so we can each fill one out and then talk.”

Even though Chet is only 19, Moe says it is never too early to get things in place. And even though they have a transition and estate plan in place, after Davis’ talk, Moe and her husband thought of a few additional steps to take.

Making changes is all part of a transition plan. Davis explained a transition plan as a working document.

Once a family fills out the questionnaire and understands the areas they need to work on, Davis encourages them to sit down with a professional. When it comes to selecting a professional, she has some tips: 1. Look for an attorney or financial planner who is local, who understands farming or ranching and comes with recommendations from friends or neighbors.

2. If a trust is part of your estate plan, only work with an attorney who understands federal farm programs and estate planning.

(This advice was so important, Davis highlighted and underscored it.)

3. If your operation has some unique elements that you know will require a special

Transition Planning Continued on Page 26 www.sdfu.org

30x30 Continued from Page 1

Kent Frerichs (second from left) with sons, Aaron, Jason and Ryan.

environment Larew said NFU is hard at work to provide family farmers and ranchers a seat at the table.

“Climate is getting attention right now. Farmers Union is working with a number of ag groups who are united in having farmer-friendly climate programs and initiatives that are going to work. The principles around those have to be voluntary. They have to be market driven.

They need to be backed by science,” Larew says.

Wilmot farmer Kent Frerichs says he appreciates the initiative of NFU to help form the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. The group is more than 60 organizations strong.

“The collective views that are comprised by this alliance will be a powerful influence on directives going forward,” explains Frerichs, who along with his wife, Faye, and sons Aaron, 41, Jason, 34, and Ryan, 30, raise crops and cattle.

What congressional leadership says about 50-14 and COOL During the Legislative Update, Larew did express optimism for NFU policy that supports cattle market transparency and biofuels.

“Consolidation among packers is a massive issue, and for the first time in a very long time, we have an opportunity to build support for a number of things in this space which could be really good,” Larew says.

Larew says under the current administration and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, he is encouraged there will be enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, Senate support for reinstatement of COOL country-of-origin labeling, and congressional support for more transparency through Resolution 50-14.

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) announced the bipartisan 50-14 legislation to “foster efficient markets while increasing competition and transparency among meat packers who purchase livestock directly from independent producers,” according to a statement from Grassley’s office. “How can any producers reject that concept,” Frerichs asks.

Warner cattle producer Larry Stroschein says he would like to see COOL reinstated. “Losing COOL hurt us. The month we lost it, the calf market fell $200 to $250 per head, and we have not seen it return.”

Mandatory COOL or MCOOL was also addressed by Agricultural Specialist, James Selchert with Sen. Mike Rounds’ office and Rep. Dusty Johnson.

Each had a bit of a different take on the topic.

Selchert believes due to Vilsack’s history with COOL, there may be a chance it becomes law once again. He also discussed Rounds’ support for 50-14 and provided an update on the Department of Justice investigation into meat packers.

“We are now roughly two years into the investigation, subpoenas www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer were issued last June. With the Department of Justice you don’t hear much until they start to indict people,” Selchert says.

He referenced a recent Department of Justice investigation into price fixing in the poultry industry, which recently resulted in large fines and jail time.

When it comes to COOL, Johnson’s message is not as optimistic.

“The reality is to get that done, I would need to get 218 votes in the United States House to implement. There’s nobody in the country today who could do that,” Johnson says.

To provide some background on this challenge, Johnson’s office explained, the World Trade Organization case, which the U.S. lost to Canada and Mexico and several other countries, effectively ending COOL, remains open. And because the case is still active, if COOL were to be reinstated by the U.S., these countries are preauthorized by the World Trade Organization to retaliate. At quick glance, the U.S. products Canada has proposed it would retaliate against is quite long. It includes many U.S. agriculture products from states other than South Dakota, such as cherries, rice and maple syrup. The estimated retaliations would amount to between $1 billion and $2 billion. (To learn more and view links to retaliation list, view this article online as a news release at www.sdfu.org.)

Even with this challenge looming, Stroschein appreciates Farmers Union holding steady with the grassroots’ COOL policy members voted to keep in place. “It’s the right thing to do. It would help out the cow/calf guy, and we don’t have that many vehicles out there where we can get any help. It was helping us so I’m glad they are sticking in there and trying to get it re-enacted, but it’s gonna be a tough slog the way it sounds,” Stroschein says.

Kurt Bindenagel agrees with Stroschein. “I appreciate Johnson’s honesty, but I am glad that Farmers Union is not giving up on this issue, because I think something like this is something we as cattle producers need. So, we need to keep educating and pushing for it to help out the cattle markets.”

Biofuels outlook is optimistic Bindenagel farms near Frankfort with his parents. Along with cattle, the family raises corn, which like many South Dakota corn producers, they market to their local ethanol plant, Redfield Energy.

Because this is where the majority of the corn they raise goes, he was happy to learn during the Legislative Update, that under the current administration, Renewable Fuel Waivers are less likely to be given out. “Ethanol is important to how we market our grain, so we want ethanol plants to remain successful.”

Frerichs says he is also optimistic about South Dakota’s ethanol industry.

“South Dakota farmers and ranchers are very fortunate to have the leadership from NFU President Rob Larew and SDFU President Doug Sombke during these challenging times in agriculture. The efforts they are making with the Biofuels Coalition will pay dividends in the future,” Frerichs says.

Frerichs referenced results of the recent University of Nebraska study, which showed no adverse impacts to non-flex fuel vehicles fueling up with a 30 percent ethanol blend.

“This study validates everything that Glaical Lakes Energy has been conducting with the E30 Challenge since 2016,” Frerichs says.

The study also shows a significant reduction in carbon emissions when E30 is burned versus lower ethanol blends. (Read more about this on page 16.)

To learn more about topics discussed during the March 23 Legislative Update, watch the complete webinar by visiting www.sdfu. org, and click on the Media Library link under the News and Events tab. n March/April 2021

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Union Farmer Agriculture Community Pulls Together to Support Ranchers Impacted by Windy Fire

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day after the Windy Fire consumed more than 2,000 acres of owned and leased winter and spring pastureland, and 1,500 round bales on the Ham Ranch, friends, neighbors and even some strangers began showing up ready to fence.

“They came for a week straight. A bunch of guys showed up without asking, to help fence. Some of my friends said, ‘we wouldn’t tell you we were coming because you would have told us to stay home.’ You know, they are right,’” shares Brady Ham, a fourthgeneration Shadehill rancher. “We are all done fencing now.”

In addition to helping replace fence destroyed in the fire, many donated hay. “It is humbling because hay, in this country, is a commodity that a guy doesn’t want to let go of. One young man hauled a load in from as far away as Brookings,” Ham says. “I felt pretty helpless in that fire, and it is pretty humbling when people help out. It was quite the experience. I would not want to do it again, but I sure learned how generous and gracious people are.”

Lemmon rancher Joe Zorc understands what Ham means. “We are the kind of people that don’t really want help. But when help comes, it sure is nice,” Zorc’s voice tapers off as he is overcome with emotion recalling the donated loads of hay, fencing supplies from Lindskov Implement and a crew from Boldt Power who showed up to dig in corner posts after the Windy Fire destroyed 1,800 acres of his summer pasture.

“When they first come, we told them we didn’t need their help, we could do it ourselves. They said, ‘we are here. We will not take no for an answer. Show us where to start,’” says Zorc, who ranches with his wife, Kathy, and son, Preston.

Kathy says the generosity could not have come at a better time.

Their daughter, Kaylee, got married two days after the fire. “They brought a meal out for us. I wanted to say, ‘We didn’t need it. We will be OK.’ But when life is overwhelming it is nice to have a hot meal.”

Friends also helped decorate for the wedding. “Thank God for good friends. We are blessed in many ways, let me tell you.”

The Zorc and Ham ranch families were among many Perkins County

Courtesy photo

The Zorc family of Lemmon stand on what was pastureland.

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March/April 2021

Courtesy photo

Brady and Kristen Ham on their Shadehill ranch.

South Dakota cow/calf producers to lose pastureland and cattle to the Jan.14 Windy Fire.

Propelled by gusts of 60 to 90 miles-per-hour, the prairie fire burned across 21 miles of Adams County, N.D., and Perkins County, S.D. “It is amazing no houses or lives were lost,” explains Lemmon Volunteer Fire Chief Chad Baumgarten.

Serving on the Lemmon Volunteer Fire Department for nearly 30 years, Baumgarten says he and the crew see about 20 grass fires a year. Most are during the summer months and most are started by haying equipment or lightning. The Windy Fire, he says was unlike any fire they have seen in their area for several reasons.

“We have had winter fires before, but most of the time there’s snow on the ground to help stop it. This fire was different,” Baumgarten says. “There wasn’t any snow and because it was January, all the grasses are dead, brown and it was extremely windy.”

It took volunteer fire departments from Lemmon, Grand River and several small communities from as far as 100 miles away to contain the fire which eventually met its match on the banks of Grand River and Dogtooth Creek. All told 26 fire departments helped fight the fire. To date, what ignited the fire, remains a mystery.

Fighting a fire like this one was personal for many volunteer firefighters. Most volunteers are like Baumgarten. They ranch full time. The rangeland they were fighting flames on could just as easily be their own grassland they depend on to feed their own cattle. The cattle they worked to move to safety that smoky night, could just as easily been carrying their brand.

“It is scary. I was loading my neighbors with water and supplies to fight the fire, then I watched them literally drive back into the wall of smoke and flames. They are my neighbors and my friends,” explained Thunderhawk rancher Chad Odell.

Odell drives the 1,800-gallon tender truck for the Grand River Volunteer Fire Department. www.sdfu.org

Ham believes it helped that many of the volunteers fighting the fire on his land had been there before. “The guys knew where the heck they were. Some of the guys had been on my place to help me move cattle before. The fire chief is one of my best friends,” Ham explains.

The fire hit Perkins County around 4:30 p.m. It raged through the night.

Firefighters were not only fighting fire, they also had to deal with freezing temperatures in the low teens and frozen equipment.

After the fire was over, family and neighbors who had been fighting the fire throughout the long night, stuck around as Ham assessed the damage.

The fire ran through a pasture of bred heifers. More than a dozen had to be put down. Ham thought for sure the fire had also gotten to a large group of fall-calving cows and calves. “It burned right through their pasture, but they got into the creek and trees and none of them were hurt.

My cousin and his dad checked on them after the fire and called to tell me they were all right. It was relieving.”

After the fire was contained, some of the volunteer firefighters stuck around to help Ham clean things up. “I would not have wanted to be by myself that night.

I owe them.”

Many of the same neighbors who fought the fire, returned to help Ham fence.

Here’s how you can help Even though David Reis ranches more than 260 miles from Perkins County, the Lyman County rancher is donating a load of hay to help. “It’s just natural, isn’t it? I could see myself in their situation very easily. A prairie fire comes running through your land and wipes you out. I just wanted to do something to help.”

He donated his load of hay through the South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) website. The state’s largest family farm and ranch organization is one of the groups working to connect those impacted by the Windy Fire with resources to help.

“Helping neighbors in need is just what you do,” explains Doug Sombke, a fourth-generation Conde crop and cattle producer and President of SDFU. “As a producer more than 200 miles away, I felt a bit helpless. This allows me and others to do something, whether it is a donation of money, hauling hay or donating a load of hay.”

To learn about how you can help, visit www.sdfu.org. n By Lura Roti for SDFU www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

It’s Your Turn! Farmers & Ranchers are Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

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outh Dakota’s farmers, ranchers and those who work on farms and ranches, are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Learn why these members are getting their shots.

Larry Stroschein, Warner Cow/Calf Producer “It is hard to describe the sense of satisfaction or calmness I felt after my first shot. Then, after I got my second one and then two weeks after, why, it is really a calming feeling to know that I have protection.”

Doug Sombke, SDFU President & Conde Crop & Cattle Producer “This virus is not joke. Our Farmers Union family has lost too many to COVID. Please get vaccinated.

If you are not going to do it for yourself, please do it for your family.”

Chad Johnson, Groton Cow/Calf Producer “I was in the hospital 40 days and nearly died, so I was anxious to get the vaccine because I don’t want to get it again. And those of us who have had COVID, we can get it again. I am eager to get my second dose.”

Kent Frerichs, Wilmot Crop & Cattle Producer “I just read about a young fellow by Irene who died yesterday. He was only 29 with no underlying conditions. Another former neighbor contracted Covid-19 and was in the hospital for several months before he finally died. Anyone who is hesitant to get the vaccine should think twice about it. COVID is a deadly virus. Faye and I got our vaccine and did not have any side effects. As soon as most everyone is vaccinated, life can get back to somewhat normal. ” Kurt Bindenagel, Frankfort Cow/Calf Producer “I get my first dose on March 31. I trust the medical experts who say it’s what we need to do.

It’s been a pretty clear message since the beginning of the pandemic. They said they were working on getting a vaccine. Well, the vaccine’s here. And about 80 percent of the population needs to get it in order to reach herd immunity. Hopefully, we will reach herd immunity and overcome this.”

Get an appointment today by calling your local healthcare provider. n

March/April 2021

21

Union Farmer Around the State with Farmers Union

Black Hills Stock Show

South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.

Rural Communities

Membership Drawing All members (new and renewals) that joined from Sept. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 were entered into a drawing for a Tristar 28ga shotgun. Kimball rancher LeRoy Ness was the lucky winner!

Farmers Union Insurance Agency – the Derschan Agency and SDFU sponsored jump bags for Lemmon Volunteer Fire Department.

Rosebud FU Co-op Meeting Winner Nate Sedlacek, Gregory, won the door prize sponsored by SDFU.

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Windy Fire Relief SDFU donated to Windy Fire Relief. FUI Agent Carrie Derschan presents the check to Lemmon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jen Suter.

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Around the State with Farmers Union

Sale Barn Coffees Aberdeen Livestock Barn

South Dakota Farmers Union members and staff are making a difference in rural communities across South Dakota.

Kimball Livestock Barn

Winner Livestock

Sioux Falls

Yankton

www.sdfu.org

March/April 2021

23

Union Farmer Rob Larew National Farmers Union President

A

fter a year of pandemic-related shutdowns and disruptions, things are starting to look up.

As Americans get vaccinated, new COVID-19 cases and deaths have dropped substantially. This is undeniably good news, but there’s still a long road to recovery ahead. Fortunately, the Biden administration and Congress have been working toward additional relief for farmers, hungry families, struggling businesses and rural communities. Read about those efforts in this month’s edition of the Washington Corner.

BIDEN’S FIRST WEEKS In the weeks following his inauguration, President Joe Biden has wasted no time implementing his agenda.

He has issued dozens of executive orders, proclamations and memoranda on a wide range of issues, many of which will affect agriculture in one respect or another.

On his first day in office, Biden announced that the United States will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement.

The voluntary agreement sets benchmarks for each participating country around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency with the ultimate goal of keeping “a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.”

A week later, Biden issued two executive orders and a memorandum outlining additional actions his administration will take to cut greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, invest in renewable energy, advance environmental justice and protect climate research. Among other things, the plan prioritizes increasing carbon sequestration in the agriculture sector and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to solicit input from farmers and other stakeholders “on how to use federal programs to encourage adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices that produce verifiable carbon reductions and sequestrations and create new sources of income and jobs for rural Americans.”

Another of Biden’s first acts as president was announcing a comprehensive plan for immigration reform. In addition to addressing the causes of migration and modernizing border control, the proposal would strengthen protections for immigrant workers and create a path to citizenship for undocumented residents, fast-tracking “Dreamers,” temporary protect status (TPS) holders and farm workers.

Furthermore, to respond to the financial pressures Americans are facing as a result of the pandemic, Biden issued an order offering relief, including nutrition assistance. The plan would extend a 15 percent boost in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, increase food assistance for families missing meals due to school closures, invest $3 billion to help women and children access food and allow states to increase SNAP emergency allotments for the lowest income Americans. On top of that, it instructs the

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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reassess its metrics for determining SNAP benefit levels.

SENATE AG IMPROVES DIVERSITY Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that three new Democratic senators would join the Senate Agriculture Committee: Cory Booker of New Jersey, the newly-elected Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico.

The committee – and agricultural leadership generally – has been subject to criticism for lacking diversity. From 2018-2020, all members of the Senate Agriculture Committee were white, even though only 60 percent of the U.S. population identifies as such. Prior to Sens. Booker and Warnock’s appointments, only one Black senator, William “Mo” Cowan of Massachusetts, had served on the committee, and only for six months.

The resulting racial homogeneity has been cited as one reason why agricultural policies have failed to meet the needs of farmers who are Black, Indigenous or people of color. Both Booker and Warnock have voiced their commitment to advance policies that will level the playing field for farmers of all races.

The Senate Agriculture Committee isn’t the only place where there have been improvements in racial representation. Though its makeup much more closely aligns with the racial composition of the country at large, the House Agriculture Committee has not previously had a Black chairman. That changed this year with the selection of Georgia Rep. David Scott of Georgia, who has served on the committee for 19 years.

In a video statement made for Black History Month, Scott said that he was “making history” not just for himself but for his grandparents “and all the African American people who were pioneers in agriculture.”

Similar milestones have been achieved at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), where President Joe Biden nominated Jewel Bronaugh to serve as his Deputy Secretary. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman to hold the position.

USDA OFFERS DEBT RELIEF To ease mounting financial pressures, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will temporarily suspend past-due debt collections and foreclosures for farmers borrowing under the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Direct Farm Loan programs.

The agency also plans to offer greater flexibilities under the Guaranteed Loan Program, extend deadlines for producers to respond to loan servicing options and halt foreclosures and evictions that are already underway.

Approximately 12,000 farmers, representing 10 percent of Farm Service Agency borrowers, will be eligible for this assistance.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew applauded the move, saying it will “help struggling farmers stay on their land and continue growing food

for their fellow Americans.” He noted that it will be particularly helpful to “beginning and historically underserved farmers” who “almost certainly do not. . . have the resources” to withstand several difficult years consecutively.

AG COMMITTEE WORKS TOWARD STIMULUS In a step toward passing a $1.9 trillion relief package, the House Agriculture Committee voted in favor of the bill’s food and nutrition title.

If passed, the legislation would set aside a total of $16.1 billion worth of support for farmers, hungry Americans and rural communities, including $3.6 billion to protect food and farm workers, redirect surplus commodities to food banks and build resilience in the food supply chain; an extension of a 15 percent boost in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the end of September; debt forgiveness for socially disadvantaged farmers; $500 million to help rural communities access vaccines and food assistance; $1 billion in funding for institutions that serve farmers of color; and $100 million to help small scale meat processors cover the cost of overtime inspection.

In a statement, Larew emphasized the need for additional support, saying that “far too many” Americans and businesses are “barely scraping by, living in a constant state of uncertainty and anxiety.”

He praised Congress for making progress toward another relief bill that will “bring us several steps closer to a full recovery.”

VILSACK LAYS OUT PRIORITIES During his virtual confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Tom Vilsack outlined his priorities for a second stint as Secretary of Agriculture and fielded questions from committee members on his track record and plans for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In his opening statement, Vilsack indicated that addressing discrimination at the agency, promoting pandemic recovery, boosting nutrition assistance, strengthening regional food systems, restoring competition to agricultural markets and mitigating climate change would be among his top concerns. Then, over the course of nearly three hours, he expanded on his position on these issues and others and explained what he would do differently from his first go-round as secretary.

Ultimately, the committee voted unanimously to advance Vilsack’s nomination to the full Senate; a subsequent hearing and vote having been scheduled for Feb. 23. ■ Current as of March 15, 2021

www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer

From the President....

C

We Need Markets that Work For Farmers & Ranchers Doug Sombke, SDFU President

urbing climate change is a focus for many in D.C. right now. And some tout this focus as being good for agriculture because they believe it brings financial opportunities for farmers and ranchers.

Here’s the thing, farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land. We sequester carbon like nobody’s business. However, we need to earn our profits from the marketplace. Bottomline.

Yes, carbon sequestration is important.

Yes, because farmers and ranchers are the ones who can sequester the most carbon, they should be the ones receiving profits – not Wall Street investors. But we do not need another middleman market telling us what price we will get for the work we do.

We need a market that works for farmers and ranchers.

U.S. producers raise safe and abundant crops and livestock, while at the same time implementing practices that are safe for our precious resources. Yet, most years all producers have a difficult time breaking even. And, in the case of livestock producers, we do not have the right to label our products.

Know that Farmers Union continues to fight for a fair market. And at the same time, we are lobbying for a seat at the table when it comes to government programs related to carbon sequestration.

First and foremost, these programs need to be voluntary. Why let carbon polluters tell us how carbon sequestration will work on our farms and ranches.

This is the time for Farmers Union to lobby for farmer-developed and expert tested, IMSET (Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool). Developed by Craig Blindert, a Salem, S.D., crop and livestock farmer who also works as an independent crop insurance agent, IMSET is an incentivebased, voluntary, crop insurance plan to protect farmers against market lows by encouraging farmers to cut back on production by taking marginal acres out of

production when commodity markets drop.

Basically, a farmer’s crop insurance guarantee would go up 2 percent for every 1 percent of land that farmer voluntarily enrolled in a soil enhancement management plan for that growing season.

We have already been in talks with the Farm Service Agency Director, and we will continue to lobby for IMSET, just like we will continue to lobby for MCOOL (mandatory country-of-origin labeling), and all other policy that our members’ develop and pass.

To the point of the grassroots’ nature of Farmers Union, know that the policy of our state and national organizations does not support the Biden administration’s 30x30 Executive Order. Therefore, we do not support 30x30.

Hope is on the horizon With calving underway and planting season on the horizon, spring 2021 brings much hope and optimism.

As more and more South Dakotans and other Americans become vaccinated, I am excited to once again enjoy in-person meetings, gatherings and get-togethers.

I miss seeing my Farmers Union family in person.

I am also optimistic and hopeful the fall will see us in D.C. for an in-person Fly-In. With this in mind, if you are interested in participating, please plan ahead and get your vaccine today. Thankfully, at this time, all South Dakotans 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

I will receive my second dose in a few days and I am eager to safely meet in person with you soon.

Sincerely,

Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

South Dakota Union Farmer, ISSN 0745-8797, publishes 9 times per calendar year, with issues printed in January/February, March/April, May/June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Periodical postage paid at Madison, S.D. Karla Hofhenke, Publisher Lura Roti, Editor ~ Wendy Sweeter, Copy Editor Diane Martinson, Layout & Design

All information for publication must be submitted by the 15th of the month. You may submit items to address below or email items to: sdfu@sdfu.org POSTMASTER: Address changes to: SDFU, PO Box 1388, Huron, S.D. 57350-1388

Contact SDFU • 605.352.6761 1410 Dakota Avenue South, PO Box 1388, Huron, SD 57350 www.sdfu.org

sdfu@sdfu.org

SDFU State Office Staff Karla Hofhenke............ext. 114 Executive Director Huron

Kelli Peterson...............ext. 116 Administrative Assistant Huron

Rachel Haigh-Blume.... ext. 125 Education Director Tulare

Doug Bruckner..............ext. 118 Controller Wessington Springs

Rocky Forman..............ext. 117 Member Services Coordinator Huron

Luke Reindl................... ext. 122 Comm. & Policy Specialist Wessington Springs

SDFU Board of Directors Doug Sombke.........President Groton Wayne Soren.. Vice President Lake Preston Mike Miller................ District I Freeman Scott Kolousek......... District II Wessington Springs Gail Temple............. District III Clark

Contact NFU

David Reis................District IV Oacoma Dallis Basel...............District V Union Center Oren Lesmeister......District VI Parade Chad Johnson........District VII Groton

National Farmers Union 20 F Street NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001

Congressional Leaders Contact information: Rep. Dusty Johnson 202-225-2801 / 855-225-2801 reid.rasmussen@mail.house.gov

www.sdfu.org

Sen. Mike Rounds 202-224-5842 / 844-875-5268 logan_penfield@rounds.senate.gov

Sen. John Thune 202-224-2321 / 866-850-3855 ryan_donnelly@thune.senate.gov

Rob Larew, President ~ Patty Edelburg, Vice President Darin Von Ruden, Secretary ~ Doug Sombke, Treasurer 202.554.1600 www.nfu.org

March/April 2021

25

Union Farmer To serve you best, each Union Farmer issue will include an article from Farmers Union Insurance.

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns regarding insurance, you can always reach out to your local agent. To learn more, visit fuiagency.com.

I

Crop Insurance Demand In 2021…

Protecting Your Investment

t has been a strange year so far. Some say we are stuck in a drought that is not going away. Others expect a wet cycle soon. Meanwhile, prices jumped drastically within a very short window.

And while some people expect these prices to hold on for a while, many feel we are about to watch a bubble burst.

It’s crazy to think of all the possible outcomes for farmers this year and it can be difficult to comprehend all the vulnerability and uncertainty out there.

Really, the only thing a grower can do these days to battle all this is protect their agricultural investments properly.

Federal Crop Insurance and the current USDA disaster and protection programs are the most common ways most farmers do this. There are many different options out there to choose at both your local FSA office and at your local Crop Insurance Agency that really will help

this year. It is important that you talk to your agent about your risks to make sure you know all the possible coverage options now that there are some Federal Crop Insurance policy types and USDA programs tied together.

We are fortunate our agents work with carrier partners who developed technology to help compute and factor many of the Federal Crop Insurance and Farm Bill programs expense, claims and probability outcomes for you. Not only can they tell you your crop insurance per acre cost and coverage based on your planned rotations, but they can also help you see what is in store for programs such as SCO, ECO, Whip+, ARC and PLC. One last thing that really does not get mentioned enough is a crop insurance agent’s ability to provide coverage for more than just grain growers. With products such as Livestock Risk Protection,

Transition Planning Continued from Page 18 expert, Davis says to begin with the local expert. “If you go to someone expensive and fancy, because you have something unique, the fancy person may be good at that one strange thing but may not be very good at the straightforward part of the farm.”

Following the SDFU event in 2014, Johnson connected with a local attorney.

“Our lawyer did a good job of giving us a lot of ‘for instances,’” Johnson says.

He added that it was helpful to have a professional throw out the “what ifs” so his family could address those in their plan.

Recently, due to COVID, Johnson spent 40 days in the hospital. His mom and wife were able to take care of the farm bookwork without him because they knew where the passwords were safely kept and they had legal access to all financials.

In addition to the financial and business side of the family farm or ranch, Davis said having a plan in place is beneficial for the human side of things.

“Who will be in charge of what and who will receive what? And what legal tools will

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make it happen,” Davis asks. “There is a difference between informal agreements and legal agreements. ‘Mom always said that was mine and Mom always said I was getting it.

Yeah, well, Mom never wrote it down.’ This happens in almost every family and it is not a good thing and does not help people grieve and move on.’”

“Family farmers and ranchers are the backbone of rural communities and our state’s No. 1 industry. It is our mission to support them through grassroots policy and education.”

– Doug Sombke, SDFU President

Davis shared the example of the family dining table. An object that does not have monetary value but has sentimental value.

Wessington Springs farmer Pat Fastnacht

Dairy Revenue Protection, Forage, Crop Hail, Pasture Rangeland Forage-Rainfall and Whole Farm Revenue Protection, there is something they can provide to help almost everyone in agriculture.

As I see these policy coverages develop over the years, it makes me happy to see that finally there is some affordable, subsidized policies out there on the same premise as the common Multi-Peril Crop Insurance policy that can benefit those raising livestock, hay, etc.

Thanks to our crop agents and crop insurance carriers, we have the ability to protect the expensive and important agricultural insurance needs based on a budget and coverage scenario tailored for each producer’s situation.

Thankfully, there are a lot more options out there now for everyone as every farm is different. n by Dennie Stratton, Production Manager Crop Insurance

appreciated Davis’ ability to explain transition and succession planning in a way that was clear and easy to understand.

“As a farmer, there are obviously things I do a good job on, as far as production and caring for livestock. There are a few things I lack skills in – and this would be one of them,” he says.

Connecting farmers and ranchers with information and resources to help them succeed is a focus of South Dakota Farmers Union. “Family farmers and ranchers are the backbone of rural communities and our state’s No. 1 industry. It is our mission to support them through grassroots policy and education,” says Doug Sombke, President of SDFU. The webinar featuring Davis is one of four in the SDFU Producer Production Series SDFU offers at no cost. To watch Davis’ webinar, visit www.sdfu.org and click on the Media Library, webinar link under the News & Events tab. This link will also provide you with access to the spreadsheet of questions. n www.sdfu.org

Union Farmer Departings Orris “Orrie” Swayze, of Wilmot, S.D, passed away on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen; son, Patrick Swayze (Michelle Stork); step-daughters: Kristin Hendricks (Joe Sandbakken); and Brandy (David) Late. Orrie’s great passion was his family, his other was ethanol. He was instrumental in promoting the development of the ethanol industry in South Dakota. Orrie worked tirelessly with politicians like Gov. Janklow, Tom Daschle and the South Dakota Legislature to get approval for the pipeline tax to support ethanol, install blender pumps and encourage the use of ethanol and ethanol blends to protect our environment and support the farm economy. He wrote and published many letters to the editor for different newspapers and publications.

Orrie also belonged to many organizations.

He was influential in starting the South Dakota Corn Growers Association and Corn Council and served as the first vice president and later served as the president. Orrie was a member of the American Coalition of Ethanol, South Dakota Farmers Union, the VFW, the American Legion and the VVA. He served on the Cenex and Farmer’s Elevator boards in Wilmot as well. Ill health forced Orrie’s retirement several years ago. *** Raymond “Ray” Floyd Baker of Hereford, S.D., passed away March 19, 2021. Survivors include his children Cody (Lynn) Baker; Tonya

Baker; Roxona (Dana) Thompson; Lawonza (Brad) Montague; and Joseph Baker. Ray’s daughter, Lawonza, works as a CSR at Lewis Agency.

ORDER YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FARMERS UNION CENTENNIAL COOKBOOK Cookbooks are $10 plus tax and shipping. Contact Kelli Peterson 605-352-6761, ext 116, to place your order today!

Correction: In the February 2021 issue of the Union Farmer, Tammy Basel was listed as serving as a CHS director. This should have been, CBH Cooperative director.

Farmers Union signs available

Show your Farmers Union spirit with a special Farmers Union sign. Available for a limited time, the sign makes a fun addition to the farm driveway, the side of a barn or even a statement piece in the house.

The cost per sign is $10 or free with a five-year or greater membership to Farmers Union. To get yours today, contact Membership Specialist Kelli Peterson at 605-352-6761 ext 116 or at kpeterson@sdfu.org.

COOK’S CORNER

California Blend Casserole 1 (16 or 20 oz.) pkg. frozen California Blend vegetables 1 onion, chopped 4 stalks celery, sliced or chopped ¼ c. butter or margarine

Gayla Piroutek, Lifetime Member Milesville S.D.

1 can cream of mushroom soup 2 c. shredded cheese (cheddar or whatever you have) 1 can sliced water chestnuts 1 (3 oz.) can Durkee French fried onions

Thaw and partially cook vegetables in microwave or pan. Sauté onions and celery in butter until partially cooked. Add mushroom soup and cheese. Cook over low heat until cheese has melted. Add vegetables, water chestnuts and half the can of French fried onions. Bake for about ½ hour in oven at 350 degrees F. Sprinkle the rest of the French fried onions on top and bake 10 more minutes. www.sdfu.org

4 Ways to Connect With Us! SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION mail to: sdfu@sdfu.org

Like us for updates, photos, news, and so much more. https://www.facebook.com/ South-Dakota-Farmers-Union277721538812/

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SDFU CLIP AND SAVE CALENDAR APRIL 2 ������������Office Closed – Good Friday 10 �����������District 3 Quarterly Meeting, Quality Inn, Watertown 10 �����������District 1 Quarterly Mtg, Virtual 11 �����������Brule County Annual Meeting, Red Barn Retreat 12 �����������FFA Quiz Bowl, Rapid City 28 �����������Safety Trailer, Chester FFA Day MAY 25-26 ������FUE Board Meeting 31 �����������Office Closed – Memorial Day JULY 5 �����������Office Closed – 4th of July 27-28 ������FUE Board Meeting SEPTEMBER 4 �����������Farmers Union Day, State Fair 6 �����������Office Closed – Labor Day 28-29 ������FUE Board Meeting OCTOBER 11 �����������Office Closed – Columbus Day NOVEMBER 22-23 ������FUE Board Meeting 25-26 ������Office Closed – Thanksgiving DECEMBER 2-3 ��������CHS Annual Meeting, Minneapolis 16-17 ������State Convention, Huron 24 �����������Office Closed – Christmas 31 �����������Office Closed – New Year’s

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J.R. Johnson ............ 725-3003 Cameron Lux ............ 229-3945 Alan Voller ................ 244-7431 Karen Voller .............. 244-7431 Tom Farber ............... 448-5150 Gary Ray .................. 692-6735 Beth Reams ............. 690-3018 Heidi Fields .............. 881-2830 Jim Erk ..................... 375-3311 Lon Reidburn ........... 532-3299 Mark Rozell .............. 635-6511 Dawn Mellus............. 598-6570

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Lewis Agency............ 342-3585 Jeff Nord .................. 338-5302 Stacy Mongar ........... 338-5302 Erica Steiner ............. 698-7316 Sabers Agency.......... 642-8870 Sabers Agency.......... 347-4507 Todd Nichols ............ 886-9683 Debbie Baumgarn .... 345-2640 Larry Baumgarn........ 345-2640 Jeremy Clay .............. 842-1556 James Murphy.......... 664-2121

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