Cattle
Ag Department launches cattle contracts library urged by Johnson
A recently launched program championed by South Dakota’s lone congressional representative aims to aid livestock producers in price negotiations with slaughterhouses. The Cattle Contracts Library is meant to log basic information on the prices paid for cattle by the nation’s four major processing conglomerates: Cargill, JBS USA, National Beef Packing and Tyson Foods. The idea […]
Brand Board power struggle tabled as work group arises
Proponents and opponents of legislation to change the way South Dakota Brand Board members are selected have agreed to table the bill and instead put together a work group to address the problems the bill aimed to resolve. Brands are the symbols on hot irons used for marking livestock and identifying ownership. The board is […]
Accusations fly as ranchers push for changes to Brand Board
Ranchers lodged accusations against a state board Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre, and a legislative committee advanced a bill to change the way the board members are selected. The bill would shift the power of appointing members of the South Dakota Brand Board from the governor to a direct election by brand owners. Brands are […]
Ranchers say they’re waiting months for brand registrations
Some South Dakota ranchers say they’re waiting more than six months to get a livestock brand registered with the state board, while the wait is about a week in neighboring North Dakota and Nebraska. Brands are the symbols on hot irons used for marking livestock and identifying ownership. Rancher Tim Allen received his first licensed […]