South Dakota Farmers & Ranchers in D.C. Advocating for Agriculture

By Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers Union

Family farmers and ranchers from across South Dakota are in D.C. this week (September 8-10) advocating for policy supportive of agriculture and urging Congress to pass a Farm Bill during the National Farmers Union D.C. Fly-In.

"We took time away from our livestock and fields to share how the decisions made in D.C. impact our families, farms, ranches and communities here in South Dakota," explained Doug Sombke, a fourth-generation crop and cattle farmer and President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

Recent decisions like tariffs on China have farmers wondering where they will market their soybeans this harvest, explained Chad Johnson.

"It is a big deal because usually by now, China has already secured many cargo loads of soybeans, and as of today (September 4), they have not secured one load. And most of South Dakota soybeans are typically sold to China," Johnson explained. "Soybean prices today do not even cover our expenses. So, instead of selling, I am going to pay to store my soybeans."

In retaliation for U.S. tariffs, China closed its doors to U.S. soybeans. Until now, China has been the largest importer of South Dakota soybeans. During Hill visits, the Groton farmer plans to share with Congressional leaders what it means to his family's farm income when he has to store all the bushels of soybeans he grew this summer and will harvest this fall instead of marketing them.

Transparency in the livestock markets and holding packers accountable will be the ask of Parade rancher, Oren Lesmeister makes when he visits with Congressional leaders and staff.

"Our inputs are so high we need to be able to get an honest price for our product," Lesmeister said. "To have a fair and open and honest market, we need to truly see what we are getting for our cattle is important. Because of monopolies in the beef industry, we do not see the true margins the packers are making because we only get to see a snapshot of what the cash sales are."

In addition to serving as a South Dakota Farmers Union Board Member, Lesmeister also serves on the South Dakota Beef Industry and on the National Cattlemen's Beef Board.

During the Fly-In Lesmeister and several other South Dakota cattle producers visited with Department of Justice staff.

"When decision makers get to hear the stories from me and other cattle producers, it is powerful," explained Lesmeister, who made the trip to D.C. even though his herd is fall calving right now. "This is a tough time to leave my ranch, but I have great help back home and sharing our stories with decision makers is crucial."

Salem farmer Andrew Streff, agreed.

"This Fly-In provides a good opportunity to both the family farmers and the Congressional leaders," Streff said. "It helps keep policy makers in D.C. grounded and in touch with what is actually happening out in the real world. I think many are concerned that they get out of touch. And for me, as a farmer, this Fly-In is a good way for me to communicate what really goes on here in South Dakota on my family's farm."

During their meetings with Congressional leaders, Farmers Union members will be asking for passage of a Farm Bill.

"As farmers and ranchers we rely on protections offered in the Farm Bill when natural disasters destroy crops or kill livestock," Sombke explained. "Just this summer several South Dakota farm families lost acres and acres of crops due to severe storms. In just minutes all their hard work and financial investment were lost. It is real-life stories like this that policy makers need to hear to understand the impact they have on real people's lives."

Sombke said he and other agriculture producers plan to also address the Administration's decision to downsize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff and move the headquarters from D.C..

"This is a travesty," Sombke said. "How can Farm Bill programs be delivered to the great farmers of our nation when there is reorganizing and downsizing? We already have the people where we need them - in our county Farm Service Agencies. Downsizing USDA is a disservice to farmers and ranchers who count on the programs designed to help them in times like we are living in today of low farm gate prices and high cost of production."

Providing an opportunity for farmers and ranchers to share their stories is the reason the state's largest agriculture organization brings family farmers and ranchers to D.C. for the Fly-In each year, explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.

"Policy makers need hear how the decisions they make impact real people," Hofhenke explained. "Every family farm and ranch is unique. And the stories these farmer and ranchers have to share are unique. This Fly-In gives them the chance to sit down and have in-person conversations to share those stories."

South Dakotans attending the Fly-In are: Doug Sombke, SDFU President and Brown County farmer; Jeff Kippley, National Farmers Union Vice President & SDFU Vice President, Aberdeen farmer; Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director; Rocky Forman, SDFU Membership Coordinator; Oren Lesmeister, Parade; Lance Perrion, Ipswich; Haleigh Elwood-Reis, Oacoma; Keeleigh Elwood-Reis, Oacoma; Brenda Reis, Oacoma; David Reis, Oacoma; Larry Birgen, Beresford; Casey Duvall, Ipswich; Brittney Duvall, Ipswich; Robert Lee, De Smet; Darcie Lee, De Smet; Brad Temple, Clark; Gail Temple, Clark; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; Chad Johnson, Groton; Porter Johnson, Groton; Brenna Johnson, Groton; Lance Hinsvark, Gary; Lindsey Hinsvark, Gary; Bryan Bunker, Reliance; Amber Bunker, Reliance; Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Andrew Streff, Salem; Brock Besler, Reva; Tasha Besler, Reva; Chris Goldsmith, Lemmon; Jennifer Goldsmith, Lemmon; Buster Reis, Reliance and Swade Reis, Reliance.

To learn more, visit www.sdfu.org and follow South Dakota Farmers Union on Facebook and Instagram.