South Dakota
South Dakota: Learn about heat-treated soybeans at Cattlemen’s Education Day
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA), in partnership with South Dakota State University (SDSU), will be hosting Cattlemen’s Education Day on February 19, 2026, in Brookings, S.D. The event brings together industry leaders, educators and cattle producers for a day of learning and connecting.
Attendees will learn about both sides of cattle production from preparing their calves for optimal performance at the rail to understanding how carcasses are graded and processed. Participants will hear from SDSU Extension Feedlot Specialist, Dr. Warren Rusche, about how maturity and yield grades are calculated and the latest carcass trends in the United States.
“We are excited to host the Cattlemen’s Education Day on February 19th on the campus of South Dakota State University,” Rusche said. “We are especially excited to share our most recent research on how we have seen an extra 20-30 pounds in carcass weight by using heat-treated soybeans in finishing diets.”
Each session will provide different strategies to help producers maximize their bottom lines and improve their operation practices. Participants will explore the benefits of soybeans in feeder calf diets, review the latest implant rules and regulations and be updated on the current cattle markets. The event concludes with an open discussion to address practical concerns and industry challenges.
Thanks to the generous support of Merck and South Dakota Soybean Checkoff this day of learning is offered at no cost to attendees, but pre-registration is highly encouraged.
For more information about the event visit sdcattlemen.org, click ‘Events Calendar’ and select ‘Cattlemen’s Education Day’ or contact Ella Stiefvater.
The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA) is a grassroots organization representing members of the beef production industry across the state. The purpose of SDCA is to unify members to work together to protect their industry; seek solutions to industry problems; provide a unified voice and to build the good will, esteem, and recognition the industry deserves. SDCA is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) which has more than 25,000 individual members and represents more than 175,000 cattle producers and feeders nationwide.
–South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association
South Dakota
Republican businessman Toby Doeden advances to primary runoff in South Dakota governor’s race
Republican businessman Toby Doeden has advanced to a runoff in South Dakota governor’s race, NBC News projects.
Gov. Larry Rhoden, who replaced Kristi Noem last year when President Donald Trump nominated her to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was battling with Rep. Dusty Johnson and former state House Speaker Jon Hansen for a second spot in the July 28 runoff. The primary will go to a runoff because no candidate eclipsed 35% of the vote.
Trump did not issue an endorsement in the race. Doeden branded himself on his campaign website as “a total political outsider who’s tired of the government’s failure to deliver on its promises” and one of Trump’s “fiercest supporters.”
Rhoden, a former lieutenant governor, agriculture secretary and lawmaker, campaigned on property tax cuts and lowering crime in his bid for a four-year term.
Johnson is the state’s lone representative in the House, where he previously was chair of the Republican Main Street Caucus. Hansen, who was elected to the South Dakota House in 2010, held several leadership positions before he became speaker.
The Republican nominee will be the favorite to win the general election in the solidly red state this fall. A Democrat has not served as governor in South Dakota since the 1970s, and Trump carried the state by 29 points in 2024.
News
Agronomist: eastern South Dakota crops hit and miss
An agronomist in eastern South Dakota says corn and soybeans are hit and miss as the growing season begins.
Steven Zemlicka with AgTegra Cooperative tells Brownfield, “We’ve got corn anywhere from V1 all the way up to V4. Biggest stuff’s maybe touching V5. Corn’s coming right along, looks pretty good. A little bit of hail here too, but I don’t think it’s going to be much of an issue. Stands for the most part are pretty good, pretty solid.”
Zemlicka says soybean emergence has been slow due to the wet, cool conditions, and there are a few fields that still need planted.
“People were still working on planting soybeans when we got the recent rain.”
He says recent rain totals ranged from a half inch to as much as four inches in the northeast part of South Dakota; the southern part of the state has been drier.
South Dakota’s corn is rated 61 percent good to excellent, with soybean conditions rated 57 percent good to excellent, according to USDA’s first condition ratings of the season.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The South Dakota Community Foundation is encouraging nonprofits to apply for funding this June.
Beth Massa and Ginger Niemann joined us live with what you need to know before applying.
Watch the full interview above.
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