AI’s Impact on Production Agriculture & Policy Discussed During 2025 Farmers Union Convention

By Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers Union

South Dakota family farmers, ranchers and nationally-renowned thought leaders will gather in Huron, Dec. 10 and 11, for the 110th South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) State Convention.

During the two-day convention, members of the state's largest agriculture organization will discuss and establish policy to guide the grassroots organization. Delegate and board elections will be held. Members will gain valuable information from experts and thought leaders on topics ranging from AI's impact on production agriculture and alternative ways to think about complex global issues to animal health and benefits of the checkoff.

"Education is a top priority for South Dakota Farmers Union," said Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director, SDFU. "We work to provide access to experts so family farmers and ranchers can engage with timely information to help them make informed decisions."

Convention speakers include Gov. Larry Rhoden (invited); Rob Larew, President, National Farmers Union; Doug Sombke, President, SDFU; Jeff Kippley, Vice President, National Farmers Union and SDFU; Derek McFarland, Veterinarian; Jacob Shapiro, Director of Research, Bespoke Group and host of "The Jacob Shapiro Podcast;" Peter Leydon, technology expert and thought leader on artificial intelligence; and Greg Hanes, CEO, Beef Checkoff.

Establishing policy to guide during uncertain times

Preparations for the 110th South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention Policy Meeting were underway during the government shutdown and in the midst of unstable crop and cattle markets as the result of a Trade War and threats to import more foreign beef.

"Every farmer and rancher I talk to is concerned about the future," said Doug Sombke, President of SDFU and a fourth-generation Brown County farmer. "With 2025 harvest complete, most of us should be making plans and placing orders for 2026 inputs. But instead, many of us are waiting because with these unstable markets, we don't feel confident making decisions."

SDFU Policy reflects the needs of South Dakota's agriculture producers. Established policy supports the re-instatement of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL), keeping the Farm Bill current (the current Farm Bill expired in 2023) and maintaining the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) within the Farm Bill. During the 110th convention's Policy Meeting, members will vote on Special Orders to protect the U.S. food system from increased vertical integration and foreign ownership.

"Our policy brings attention to the problems we as farmers and ranchers face in our local communities, state and nation," explained David Cap, a Utica farmer who serves on the State Policy Committee.

Cap explained that the policy established by members guides advocacy efforts of Farmers Union on the state and national level.

"We put this policy in place to protect our livelihood. As a farmer or rancher and citizens of South Dakota, we need to pay attention to what is going on with bills in the state Legislature and federally. Farmers Union helps us do this."

Grassroots policy focused on fair markets for farmers and ranchers is the reason Sombke joined Farmers Union in the late 1970s.

"When people come together to develop policy that is good for family farmers and ranchers - not necessarily corporations - it helps keep farmers farming and ranchers ranching. This keeps the U.S. food supply safe," Sombke said. "Grassroots policy is the reason I joined Farmers Union."

Aberdeen farmer Jeff Kippley agreed. "Members lead this organization through policy. We are unique in the fact that we go over our policy line by line to make sure it remains relevant. Not all organizations take the time to be this thorough, but it matters," said Kippley, who serves as Vice President of National Farmers Union and SDFU.

In addition to members uniting behind policy, Kippley said State Convention serves as a time to reconnect with agriculture producers from across South Dakota. "Comradery is No. 1. I appreciate learning from the speakers and the policy we set is the most important thing we do, but getting to visit with farmers and ranchers like me is just as important."

South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. The Policy Meeting is Wednesday. Elections are held Thursday. For more information and to register, visit www.sdfu.org.