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Grain Merchant and Processor Consolidation, Concentration, and Competition

A general trend in the last century has been for greater consolidation among Grain Merchants and Oilseed Millers and Processors. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks the number of firms and/or establishments and value of sales (market size) by industry sector every 5 years as a part of the Economic Census. In addition to the number of firms and sales, the Census Bureau publishes concentration ratios for each sector. One concentration ratio they publish is the amount of sales attributed to the four largest firms in that sector. The percentage of sales of the 4 largest firms is a measure that aids in identifying the type of market structure that exists.

Tomato spotted wilt virus symptoms

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus can be a problem in both field and greenhouse situations, and most frequently its effects in South Dakota are observed on tomatoes and peppers.

Red fescue, a red colored grass, in a meadow in the Black Hills National Forest.

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), A New Grass in the Black Hills: Friend or Foe?

Red fescue (Festuca rubra), a cool-season, dominate rhizomatous grass, has started showing up on disturbed ground near meadows and forests. While it is not a state noxious weed yet, its spread has raised questions from producers.

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Telemedicine Keeps Mixed-Animal Veterinarians Connected

March 31, 2021

Smart phones have helped South Dakota veterinarians assist clients through blizzards and busy calving seasons, but clinics may need to revisit service offerings, client expectations.

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Food Safety Rules for Fruit & Vegetable Growers: FAQ

It seems rules and guidelines for growing fresh produce safely are constantly changing, as new laws and regulations are implemented each year.

Six black cattle grazing a field with patches of snow.

Considerations for Cull Cows

The last year was difficult to say the least, from a wet, muddy spring and late planting to an early, wet fall and difficult harvest. Unfortunately, for cow calf producers, the repercussions were seen during pregnancy detection this year, as the number of slaughter cows within the state were abundant due to open cows.

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Guardians, Visitors, or Adult Participants Code of Conduct

In most 4-H settings, non-participants are welcome to serve as respectful audience members to cheer on and encourage 4-H youth.

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South Dakota 4-H Shooting Sports State Plan

The South Dakota 4-H Shooting Sports program focuses on developing safe shooting habits in participating youth members.

Series of Snapchat screenshots demonstrating the application of a custom community lens for Watertown Racoon days.

Considering Snapchat for your community? Potential benefits, challenges, and questions to ask.

Snapchat is a widely used social platform, particularly for teens through those in their 30s. For communities hoping to engage students, young families, visitors, or early-career workers, this audience reach may be attractive.

Herd of bison behind a fencline in a pasture.

Getting Started With Bison Ranching

While bison ranching has some similarities with cattle ranching, there are significant differences that must be accounted for to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability.