What happens to South Dakota corn? Where does the 595 million bushels harvested in South Dakota during 2010 go?

Much of South Dakota’s corn goes to feed livestock. Even as agriculture has evolved and progressed, using corn as a feed source is still one of the best ways to add value to corn as it grows with the animals. In South Dakota, livestock would include cattle, hogs, turkey, chicken, sheep, bison and other various animals.

In 2008, 87 million bushels or 15% of South Dakota’s corn crop was fed to livestock. Those 87 million bushels were sold for $313 million and then fed to livestock which returned $3.6 billion*.

“Even with all of the other uses of corn being developed, using it to produce livestock is always going to be a great way to add value to the crop,” said South Dakota Corn Utilization Council president and St. Lawrence farmer and rancher, David Fremark. “I get a lot of personal satisfaction walking through the butcher department at our local grocery store knowing that my family helps produce the best-tasting, highest quality meat in the world.”

Corn demand for livestock feed has been relatively flat over the past decade due to more efficient feeding and the replacement of corn with dried distiller grains (DDG’s), a co-product of corn ethanol. But without a doubt, corn will continue to play a major role in nourishing livestock in South Dakota and around the world which provides protein and vitamins for our planet’s vastly growing population.

*Source: U.S. Dept. of Ag

Corn Comments podcast with Jim Woster.

We look forward to seeing you at the…  South Dakota Corn Growers Association’s 25th Annual Meeting ”Corn Hop” on January 22nd at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

We will have a full day of vital information followed by a night with great food and entertainment by none other than Chubby Checker and the Wildcats.

Don’t forget about our Growing On Seminars 

Back by popular demand, Steven D. Johnson, Phd., Farm and Ag Business Management Specialist, Iowa State University Extension, will present, “Controlling the Crop Controllables.”

Dec. 2 – Sioux Falls – Ramkota Hotel

Dec. 3 – Yankton – National Field Archery Assoc.

Dec. 6 – Watertown – Events Center

Dec. 7 – Huron – Crossroads Hotel

Dec. 7 – Mitchell – MTI Technology Center

Register Online at: http://www.cropinsurancespecialists.com/

As Americans sit down this Thursday for a bountiful feast, let’s remind each other of the many things we have to be thankful for. We are truly blessed in so many ways that most of us take for granted like our countries food production.

The United States of America has the safest, most inexpensive, nutritious and bountiful food supply in the world, and we have the American agricultural system to thank for it. From the field to your fork, farmers, merchandisers, inspectors, truck drivers, grocery store clerks, etc all play a vital role in providing the food we depend on each and every day.

American agriculture is safe, sustainable and more productive today than ever before. Agriculture continues to meet the nutrition demands of a continuously growing population by adapting new techniques like precision agriculture and products like genetically modified seeds. These practices are allowing America’s farmers to grow more while using less land, chemical and energy to produce continuously abundant crops that meet domestic demands.

Despite the fact that we are efficient and productive at raising food, a good portion of the planet is still hungry, including families right here in South Dakota. The modern U.S. food system has a social responsibility to use its knowledge and technology to solve problems. Those technologies will be vital in feeding future populations that will increase 70% by the year 2050.

So challenge yourself this Thanksgiving by thinking about where each of the menu items originated from and the work that went into producing the turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and cranberries that you will be passing around your table. It’s truly amazing when you think about it…and it something we should all be thankful for.

Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.

Be sure to attend Growing On 2011  this December with Steven Johnson which will be held in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Yankton, Huron and Mitchell. Register by clicking here.

Mark your calenders for the South Dakota Corn Growers Association’s 25th Annual Meeting  on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Call the office at 605-334-0100 if you’re interested in attending.

South Dakota Corn would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels throughout the holiday weekend.

The EPA announced Friday morning that they will be delaying their decision on whether or not to approve E15 for vehicle model years 2001-2006. Those who follow the ethanol industry shouldn’t be surprised, after all the EPA delayed the decision on vehicle model years 2007 and newer three times before being approved.

The good news is that the delay has nothing to do with the ethanol fuel’s performance, but is due to errors on the EPA’s part including an exhaust leak and improperly replaced spark plugs.

“I’m disappointed that the EPA has delayed this decision, but understand their efforts to make sure vehicle tests are completed thoroughly and appreciate that they are still moving forward so that consumers have additional fuel options in the marketplace. Increasing ethanol blends is an important step toward meeting renewable fuels targets that help displace foreign oil and bring jobs to South Dakota,” said South Dakota Senator, Tim Johnson.

The delay is expected to be about a month now making the announcement date sometime in January.

“We are confident that E15 is suitable for all vehicles on the road today and that the EPA will eventually approve it for vehicle model years 2001-2006,” said South Dakota Corn Growers Association president, Gary Duffy. “These higher blends of ethanol will produce additional jobs and continue to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.”

Just as the “Lame Duck” session gets started this week, farmers will be traveling to D.C. to personally explain to congressmen and women why our country needs to renew VEETC, the volumetric ethanol excise tax credit.

“We will be meeting with them to stress the  importance of ethanol to the economy in South Dakota and agriculture as a whole as they consider extending ethanol tax incentives,” said Keith Alverson, a farmer from Chester, SD. “The ethanol industry is producing an alternative fuel that is benefiting the environment with cleaner air, increasing our home grown fuel supply and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

With the United States still recovering from the recession, additional job loss to a young industry in America would be a devastating blow.

“The ethanol industry is providing 400,000 plus Americans with good paying jobs and a large number of those jobs and our domestic fuel supply will be at risk without the renewal of VEETC,” added Alverson. “Renewing VEETC will allow our nation’s economy to grow through additional green energy jobs as advanced biofuels production continues to expand.”

South Dakota’s representatives have always been big supporters of ethanol and the tax credit, but Alverson and other farmers hope to have conversations with members of congress from urban districts.

“It is important for those of us in agriculture to visit with our members of congress that might not be familiar with the issues affecting the rural economy,” said Alverson. “Even with much opposition, the facts remain, VEETC is absolutely vital to our countries continued success at competitively producing a clean-burning alternative to oil.”