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Rick Rausch of Onaka has seen an increasing demand for grass-fed beef from consumers looking for an alternative to corn-finished beef. Courtesy photo.

Grass-fed beef offer healthier option, Onaka rancher believes

By Connie Sieh Groop 07/02/2025

About 20 years ago, Rick Rausch transitioned to grass-finishing the animals at his ranch in Onaka. That process is paying……

Jim Faulstich uses regenerative grazing practices on his Daybreak Ranch near Highmore to improve rangeland biodiversity, promote soil health, provide wildlife habitat, and increase forage production. He has a grazing plan already established for years when drought conditions become too severe. Courtesy photo.

Agriculture

Farmers should stay flexible when grazing through varied conditions

By Janelle Atyeo For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition 06/22/2025

PIERRE — Will there be enough forage for the herd? When will it rain? Agriculture producers are often called upon……

Beekeepers examine hive: Due to a massive die-off of bees over the winter, South Dakota beekeepers are keeping a close eye on their hives as they place them in bee yards this spring. Photo courtesy of Adee Honey.

News

Bee deaths strike blow to honey industry

By Connie Sieh Groop 05/30/2025

As temperatures warm, trucks loaded with bees travel across South Dakota as the insects head to their summer homes. Beekeepers……

Charles and Heather Maude with their children. The couple is was a fight against the federal government over a land dispute, but charges against the Maudes have been dismissed. Phot. courtesy of Elsie Fortune Photography.

Agriculture

‘Put through hell’: USDA to investigate overreach after SD ranching family charged

By Jonathan Ellis of The Dakota Scout 04/30/2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will investigate accusations of bureaucratic overreach following the prosecution of a South Dakota ranching family……

Agriculture

USDA rolls out $1 billion plan to combat bird flu after egg prices rise

By Jennifer Shutt, South Dakota Searchlight 03/09/2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday it plans to spend up to $1 billion in Commodity…

Agriculture

Aberdeen native one of many federal employees on probationary status to lose job

By Shannon Marvel 02/24/2025

An Aberdeen native is in limbo after losing her job with the federal government. Bailey Biegler moved from Pierre to……

The Cattle Contracts Library is meant to log basic information on the prices paid for cattle by the nation’s four major processing conglomerates. USDA photo

Agriculture

Brown County Commission passes resolution opposing USDA’s electronic identification tags for livestock

By Shannon Marvel 02/04/2025

The Brown County Commission has passed a resolution opposing mandatory electronic identification livestock tags. That happened during the board’s regular……