1 month ago in Agriculture tomr Photo: WNAX
On Thursday, The South Dakota Senate Agriculture Committee sent a resolution of disapproval of the merger of the State Agriculture Department with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Senate floor. The State Farm Bureau backs the merger and their Lobbyist Mike Held was disappointed at the committee’s decision as it was put forward on a 4 to 3 vote.
He says it take only one Legislative body to approve a resolution of disapproval for it to take effect. Held thinks they have enough votes to withstand the disapproval.
Held says Farm Bureau’s members overwhelmingly want the merger to happen and believe it’ll streamline programs and provide savings and benefits in the long run.
3 months ago in Agriculture Photo: WNAX
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has issued an executive order to merge the State Agriculture Department with the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Some South Dakota Agriculture groups have voiced opposition to that merger but the State Farm Bureau backs it. President Scott VanderWal says while putting those two departments together is good, they oppose any legislation calling for electing the State Agriculture Secretary.
He says having the State Ag Secretary elected also could create problems with those who don’t understand agriculture helping decide who fills that position.
VanderWal says there are several advantages in merging DENR with the Agriculture Department.
3 months ago in Agriculture Photo: WNAX
Agriculture groups in South Dakota have different takes on Governor Kristi Noem’s plan to merge the State Department of Agriculture with Environment and Natural Resources. The South Dakota Corn Grower’s Association has not yet taken a position according to President Scott Stahl.
Also not taking an official position yet is the South Dakota Soybean Association and the State Cattlemen’s Association. The State Farm Bureau however is in favor of the merger according to President Scott VanderWal.
South Dakota Farmers Union’s lobbyist Mitch Richter says his group is opposing the merger.
. eric: there has been a little bit of a cool enough with the trade war with china continues. many farmers uncertain over the next dollar. they re hoping for a new trade deal to put an end to the financial bleeding here is a report from nebraska. reporter: it is not just the physical aches from a day s hard work from corn and soybean farmer is feeling. he gets to be a pain. reporter: is also stress of not knowing how much money he will bring in unless the president s trade war. the uncertainty is forcing the nebraska farmer to find other ways to stay afloat. delay equipment replacement, you might have to try to find cheaper seed or do things a little differently than you normally would not do. he is not alone, according to the state farm bureau, it is cost nebraska farmers nearly $1 billion in lost revenue this year alone.
trade policy eating away at profits for some u.s. farmers. it s not just the physical ache from today s hard work that this soybean farmer is feeling. it gets to be kind of a pain. it s also the stress of not knowing how much money he will bring in amidst the president s trade wars. it s forcing him to find other ways to stay afloat. delay equipment replacement. find cheaper seed and do things differently than you normally would do. reporter: according to the state farm bureau, tariffs cost nebraska farmers $1 billion in lost revenue this year alone. beyond nebraska, midwest farmers in illinois, minnesota and wisconsin are also feeling the strain as bankruptcies