West River shows potential for industry growth because hogs would be isolated from disease. However, swine herds continue to be tied largely to corn production east of the river and processing at Smithfield in Sioux Falls. Across the state line to the east, Sioux County, Iowa, has the highest concentration of livestock anywhere in the country and provides a possible road map for related economic development. “We see the positive attributes – all their small towns are thriving and there’s a lot of industrial development revolving around agriculture,” Glenn said. The largest negative in northwest Iowa is worry about bio-security because of livestock population density. Some people have concerns about odor, although those issues have been largely minimized, he said.
The Muller family farm. In the background is the storm brewing which generated the tornado that struck nearby Lennox on Saturday, Aug. 28. Photo by Joan Muller.
“I think we’re doing a really good job in South Dakota educating the public about the value of livestock production, so we’re seeing some expansion and communities are seeing the benefits of jobs coming back, which supports the local business infrastructure.” Joan added that growth in the production of hogs and other livestock also helps communities “in areas such as strengthening schools and hospitals.” Joan was a nurse for 50 years, so the importance of healthcare is always top of mind. According to Glenn, “Agriculture has always been the number one industry in South Dakota, but I think a lot of times we take it for granted that it’s always going to be there. We haven’t nurtured it or encouraged it in communities like perhaps we should. When an area loses its ag base and livestock production, small communities suffer. They see a migration of youth out of their communities.”
Glenn and Joan’s daughter Shelly Altena, son Steven Muller, and son-in-law Cory Altena do the final fitting for one of the Muller Herefords being shown at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City in January 2021.
There are good stories to tell right now about spinoff jobs from a strong ag base. “Look at Jack Links in Alpena. The town itself is pretty small, but you’ve got a processing plant there that employs a tremendous number of people. Parkston is another prime example of what a solid livestock base does for a town. Look at MDS and the feed mill and other ag-associated businesses there. It’s a thriving community because of agriculture,” said Glenn, who was the volunteer president of SDPPC from 1990-92. Looking back at his 10-plus years as SDPPC executive director, he said, “The one initiative that all producers in South Dakota take pride in is the evolution of the new Swine Research & Education facility at SDSU. Pork producers in the state stepped forward and brought the message to the administration at SDSU that there was a strong need for this facility and assisted in moving it forward.” Producers were also advocates for the Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Lab at SDSU. About seven years ago, SDPPC did a long-range strategic plan and the organization set a goal to grow the industry in order to maintain the state’s swine-related infrastructure. With 8 percent growth in each of the last five years, “It appears we’ve had some very good success in that arena. We feel
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October 2021 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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