Fe. 2018 UF

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VOLUME CIII, NO. 1

HURON, SD

FEBRUARY 2018

South Dakota

UNION FARMER A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION Advice From Representative McCleerey

National Women’s Conference

Development through FFA

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Legislative Day 2018: Bring Your Friends & Share Your Stories

South Dakota Farmers Union Celebrates the Christensen Ranch Family

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ant legislators to understand your concerns and hear your ideas for improving the lives of South Dakota farmers and ranchers? Then save the date for South Dakota Farmers Union Legislative Day 2018. The event is held Feb. 27 at the Capitol from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Legislative Day 2018 Grassroots Advocacy In Action! When: Tuesday, Feb. 27 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet in Capitol Rotunda Turn to page 11 to learn more about this event.

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 feature the Christensen Ranch family.

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ecalling his youth, Wessington seedstock producer, John Christensen says school wasn’t really his thing. His lack of interest didn’t go unnoticed. “My teacher caught me staring out the window one day, I was probably daydreaming about cattle. She moved my desk to face the wall. To this day, I can still see those gray boards of that one-room schoolhouse,” says the 64-year-old. Classroom learning may not have captured John’s attention – cattle genetics on the other hand – for more than 50 years, they have driven an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. “Cattle are my life,” John explains. “I’ve been making the mating decisions for this herd since I was 11.” His passion is most obvious when you’re among the offspring. Point to any yearling bull or heifer in John’s winter feedyard and he recites their genetic strengths and bloodlines. Calving out 600 cows most years, if John needs a reminder, he simply pulls out a worn calving notebook from his shirt pocket. He’s

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