8 Broadcaster Press March 19, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Salute to Agriculture South Dakota Ag Facts South Dakota produces 3 different types of wheat: hard red winter, hard red spring and durum. In an average year, more than 3 million acres are planted to wheat. Climate & Soil •South Dakota receives from 14-25” of rain and from 25-100” in snow across the state. •Temperatures range from 10F to 96F throughout the state. •The state experiences all four seasons. The summer often has hot days and cool nights while the winter allows for excellent winter sporting activities. •Topsoil in our state ranges from 1012” thick in the east to 5-7” thick in the western part of the state. The range is due to climactic differences. Soil scientists have identified over 650 different soil types in South Dakota. •The South Dakota Legislature made Houdek (pronounced hoo-deck) the official state soil in 1990. Houdek soil is not found in any other state. It was chosen because it, and closely related soils occur on more than two million acres across South Dakota. Crops & Livestock •Wheat: South Dakota produces 3 different types of wheat: hard red winter, hard red spring and durum. In an average year, more than 3 million acres are planted to wheat. •Corn: More than 4 million acres of corn are planted in South Dakota in an average year. It is grown primarily east of the Missouri River, mainly in the southeast. It is our most frequently irrigated crop. We harvest over 400 million bushels each year. Ethanol plants, which process the corn into ethanol fuel and distillers grain, are prevalent across our state. •Soybeans: South Dakota grown soybeans are processed into meal and oil at our locally owned processing plant in Volga, SD. Nearly 4 million acres are planted to beans, producing 100 million bushels annually. South Dakota State University is a leader in the development of varieties that are suitable to our growing conditions. •Sunflowers: Two types of sunflowers are grown in South Dakota—oilseed and confectionery. The confectionery variety is used for human consumption and birdseed. The state ranks 2nd in sunflower seed and oil production in the United States. •Other crops: South Dakota is also a leading producer of a variety of small grains including oats, barley, rye, flaxseed, sorghum and alfalfa. •Beef: In South Dakota there are approximately 17,000 ranchers and cattlemen that produce 3.7 million head of cattle--we have more cattle than people! In South Dakota, the cattle industry is a family business with nearly all of the cattle businesses having been in the same families for more than 25 years. •Pork: South Dakota’s pork farmers raise over 2.3 million hogs per year. John Morrell & Co. alone handles over 17,000 hogs a day. South Dakota’s pork industry provides nearly 6,900 jobs in our state. General •Agriculture is the state’s second leading industry. It has a $19 billion impact on the state’s economy. •The state encompasses 77,123 square miles. It is 380 miles from east to west and 245 miles from north to south. South Dakota is 16th in size among the 50 states. •South Dakota ranks in the top 10 in the production of 25 agricultural commodities. South Dakota Cattle Inventory & U.S. Rank South Dakota Cattle Inventory: 3,650,000 (8th) South Dakota Beef Cow Inventory: 1,635,000 (5th) South Dakota Cattle Inventory Down 5% All cattle and calves in South Dakota as of January 1, 2014 totaled 3.65 million head, down 5 percent from January 1, 2013, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. • All cows and heifers that had calved totaled 1.73 million head, down 3 percent from last year. • Beef cows totaled 1.64 million head, down 3 percent from last year. • Milk cows totaled 95,000 head, up 3 percent from January 1, 2013. • All heifers 500 pounds and over totaled 860,000 head, down 6 percent from last year. • Steers weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 670,000 head, down 7 percent from last year. • Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 95,000 head, up 6 percent from last year. • Calves under 500 pounds totaled 295,000 head, down 14 percent from January 1, 2013. • All cattle on feed fed for slaughter in South Dakota feedlots totaled 310,000 head, down 3 percent from the previous year. • The 2017 calf crop totaled 1.69 million head, down 1 percent from 2012. The Most Produced Food (Ag Commodities) In South Dakota • Corn is the most produced ag commodity (by value) in South Dakota followed by cattle and soybeans. • South Dakota generates more than $10 billion in agricultural cash receipts. • Beef is the 2nd most produced food (by value) in South Dakota. Thanks To All Involved In The Ag Industry! 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