livestock

Big Sioux River floodwaters flow over farm fields, sending sediment downstream toward Lake Kampeska and beyond on April 13, 2023. (Brad Johnson/For South Dakota Searchlight)

State’s $3 million Big Sioux cleanup project is slow to catch on

BY: - November 24, 2023

A $3 million program created by the state in 2021 to reduce agricultural pollution in the Big Sioux River has attracted two sign-ups, while drawing criticism for duplicating existing local projects. Meanwhile, the state has doubled the financial incentives for landowners in an effort to attract more interest. Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, introduced the […]

The South Dakota Capitol is reflected in Capitol Lake. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

State board approves $25 million bond for large dairy

BY: - October 11, 2023

A state board approved a bond of up to $25 million Wednesday to help a dairy near Bryant construct manure management facilities.  During a Zoom meeting, the South Dakota Economic Development Finance Authority approved issuing the bond for the 12,500-cow Washington Dairy owned by Riverview, a Minnesota company that already operates four other dairies and […]

Attendees fill the firehouse in Hazel on Oct. 3, 2023, during a public information meeting about a proposed 12,500-cow dairy. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

$86 million dairy proposed on land owned by governor’s brothers

BY: - October 4, 2023

HAZEL — An $86 million, 12,500-cow dairy project is proposed on 250 acres currently owned by Gov. Kristi Noem’s brothers in northeastern South Dakota, and it faces opposition from some local residents. The brothers plan to sell the land to the company proposing the dairy. One of Noem’s two brothers, Rock Arnold, spoke at a […]

A farmhand connects milking equipment to dairy cow udders inside the parlor building at Boadwine Farms in Baltic. (Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight)

Not all livestock operations in South Dakota have to manage waste equally

BY: - September 4, 2023

A large feedlot near Watertown with about 10,000 cattle was recently disciplined for not properly managing its manure.  But not by the state. It was the Codington County Board of Adjustment that responded to public complaints. The board found the operation violated 25 zoning ordinances or permit requirements. As a result, the board decided to […]

(Illustration by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight; photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Brand Board power struggle tabled as work group arises

BY: - February 27, 2023

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 […]

(Illustration by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight; photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Accusations fly as ranchers push for changes to Brand Board

BY: - February 16, 2023

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 […]

(Illustration by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight; photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Ranchers say they’re waiting months for brand registrations

BY: - December 18, 2022

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 […]

Rows of compost, with chicken bones visible, sat just west of David City on Sept. 30.

Compost piles containing dead chickens near wellfield in Nebraska town to be removed

BY: - November 18, 2022

DAVID CITY, NEBRASKA — Piles of compost containing dead chicken parts are expected to be removed soon after the mayor of David City and nearby residents complained that the compost was within the wellhead protection area for the town’s water supply. But while state officials said the composting operation followed applicable rules, the incident has […]

Photo of steer

USDA foresees dip in exports of pork and beef, continued growth for chicken

BY: - November 10, 2022

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects the U.S. to export less pork and beef in the near future, but exports of chicken should continue to grow. The department’s 10-year projections of the U.S. agriculture market say that the 3.6 billion pounds of beef exported in 2022 will dip to 2.9 billion in 2024. […]

USDA invests $10.5 million into South Dakota meat processing

BY: - November 2, 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $10.5 million in two South Dakota loan associations that aim to expand meat processing capacity in the state. The funds are part of the department’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The South Central South Dakota loan association known as Planning & Development District III will receive […]