Connecting Agriculture A Rewarding Time of Year By Mike Jaspers, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture

By Mike Jaspers
South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture

Mike Jaspers, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture. (Photo: SDDA)

Along with the changing of the colors, bawling calves and matured crops mean harvest is here. It’s time to get the combine into the field, and for most farmers, that means driving large, slow moving equipment down our state, county and township roads.  

Farming is a dangerous profession and when equipment takes to the roadway, it gets even more dangerous for farmers and those with whom they share the road. At times it can be frustrating to travel in South Dakota during harvest time, but I would remind everyone that it’s all of our responsibility to ensure safety on the roads. Farm equipment should be equipped with “slow moving vehicle” signs, flashing lights or both to make them more visible. Please slow down when you see these warning signs. Often, the driver will pull to the side so you can safely go around or their destination might be just ahead.

My fellow farmers and I need to be patient as well. Even though, we’re up against time and the weather, it’s important to wait for oncoming traffic to go by before pulling out onto the roadway. We have to stay aware of our surroundings at the farm and in the fields. That caution should extend to the roadways that we share with our friends and neighbors.

The roadway isn’t the only place we need to stay alert and use caution. Having on-farm grain storage can help a farmer market grain when the price is best or to store grain for livestock feed. However, grain bins can also be a deadly hazard. It can take less than five seconds to become trapped in flowing grain and less than 30 seconds to become fully engulfed. As producers, we need to take precautions when working in grain bins. It’s important to never enter a bin alone or make sure that someone is outside to help if something should happen.

To me, harvest is the most rewarding time of year. We can see the result of all the hard work that was put in during the previous months. Whether you’re a producer or a consumer of the crops we’re working to harvest, please join me in making sure this harvest isn’t remembered for tragedy, but for prosperity.

Deadline for South Dakota 100 and 125 Year Farm and Ranch Recognition is Aug. 11

 

HURON, S.D.-  Agriculture has long been the foundation of South Dakota history. The South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) will again recognize and honor longstanding South Dakota families at the 2016 South Dakota State Fair.

South Dakota families having enjoyed ownership of their farm or ranch for 100 or 125 years have the opportunity to be honored on Thursday, Sept. 1, during the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.

To qualify as a South Dakota Century Farm or Ranch, a family must have retained continuous ownership of at least 80 acres of original farmland for 100 years or more. If the family ownership of land has reached 125 years or more, they may apply to be recognized as a Quasquicentennial Farm or Ranch. Documentation of the original date of purchase must be included with the application.

Application forms are available online at www.sdfbf.org by clicking “Programs” and then “Century Farms” or calling the SDFB at (605) 353-8052. The application deadline is Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016.

Since recognition began in 1984, there have been 2,837 century farms and ranches and 295 quasquicentennial farms and ranches acknowledged so far.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.