Guest editorial by Don Norton, CEO of South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (SDARL)
Checkoff Funded Research Update
Checkoff dollars are constantly at work through research projects sponsored by the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. These projects not only provide valuable information for producers, but also take steps to better the future of the industry. This year’s projects run from July 2019-June 2020 and highlight high yield protocols, weather, SCN management, and controlling weeds.
Reform of Agricultural Land Taxation Could Help Farmers But Shift Burden To Homeowners And Businesses
As the property tax takes a larger share of their incomes — and at a time when many are hurting financially — South Dakota farmers and ranchers are pushing for reform of the state’s system of valuing and taxing their lands.
USDA Opens Signup for Market Facilitation Program
Enrollment Now Open through Dec. 6
Market Facilitation Program – 2019 County Per Acre Payment Rate
Assistance through the Market Facilitation Program is based on a single county payment rate multiplied by a farm’s total plantings of MFP-eligible crops in aggregate in 2019. Those per-acre payments are not dependent on which of those crops are planted in 2019. A producer’s total payment-eligible plantings cannot exceed total 2018 plantings. County payment rates range from $15 to $150 per acre, depending on the impact of unjustified trade retaliation in that county.
Second Wetland Mitigation Bank Credits Now Available
A second agriculture Wetland Mitigation Bank has released credits for purchase through the South Dakota Ag Wetland Exchange (SDAWE). South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is the sponsor of the SDAWE, which provides ag wetland bank credits for sale to landowners to offset impacts from past or planned wetland conversions.
USDA has given no indication of how they will distribute Disaster Monies, Market Facilitation Payments or Prevent Plant
Secretary Sonny Perdue stated recently that details will probably not be released until mid-July because he wants farmers to base planting decisions on the market.
South Dakota Soybean Leaders See How ASA/WISHH Lays Foundation for U.S. Soy Trade Through Cambodian Aquaculture
South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council Chairman Craig Converse and Treasurer Dawn Scheier traveled to Cambodia and Myanmar to help launch ASA/WISHH’s newest strategic partnership to grow trade and development. Converse and Scheier joined Cambodian and U.S. government officials on January 31 in Phnom Penh for the inaugural event for ASA/WISHH’s U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Commercialization of Aquaculture for Sustainable Trade (CAST) – Cambodia project.
Disaster Resources Available for Producers
The past few weeks have been tough on producers across the Midwest, including many here in South Dakota. Below you will find a disaster resource put together by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. The document includes resources, largely offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that might be available to producers in the state of South Dakota that have been impacted by the blizzard and/or flooding.
Biodiesel Day is March 18, 2019: Renewable Soy Biodiesel Good for South Dakota Farmers & Environment
Biodiesel day is March 18, 2019. A clean burning and renewable fuel, biodiesel utilizes about 5.6 billion pounds of soybean oil each year, while at the same time reducing emissions. Biodiesel’s expanding markets are something South Dakota soybean growers can celebrate.