Thanks to years of investment in biosecurity, disease monitoring and rapid response protocols, South Dakota poultry producers continue to help protect their flocks against avian flu while maintaining a safe, reliable food supply for families across the state and country.
Behind the scenes, South Dakota farmers are practicing rigorous biosecurity measures and adapting quickly to new information and emerging risks. Their commitment, combined with strong partnerships between industry and government agencies, has helped strengthen our nation’s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks.
As the South Dakota Poultry Industries Association notes, strong biosecurity and rapid response efforts remain among the most effective tools for limiting the spread of avian influenza.
While vigilance remains essential, consumers can feel confident knowing that agriculture and public health leaders are continuously monitoring the situation and working to keep both animals and people safe. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) emphasized that awareness and preparedness are key to protecting both animal and human health, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to provide guidance on symptoms, prevention and public health monitoring.
It’s a reminder that when challenges arise, the resilience, innovation and dedication of South Dakota’s agricultural community continue to deliver results.
Frittata with Ham and Roasted Pepper Recipe
Ingredients:
- 5 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk or 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup crouton
- 1/4 cup ham, chopped
- 1/2 cup fontina or 1/2 cup provolone cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup roasted red pepper, drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped (green part only)
SD Dairy Farmers Improving Soil Health and Water Quality with Regenerative Agricultural Practices
This article is sponsored by Midwest Dairy.
Regenerative agriculture practices are currently at the forefront of conservation conversations. As widespread soil erosion and decreased land productivity continue to occur at unprecedented levels, farmers are turning to regenerative agricultural practices to improve soil health and restore degraded soils. Each piece of farmland is different and requires a specific management plan to best care for the soil, moisture content and flora and fauna. Therefore, there are a multitude of sustainable practices farmers can implement, including no-till farming, planting cover crops, installing buffer strips, reducing fertilizer application and developing a nutrient management plan, to name a few.
Regenerative agriculture practices positively impact not only soil health but water quality, filtration and retention as well. By retaining a higher amount of biomass on the ground through practices such as planting buffer strips and cover crops, farmers can reduce the amount of runoff into nearby streams and rivers while retaining soil moisture on their land. Additionally, these plants will help to filter out excess nutrients and harmful bacteria before they enter our waterways. Farmers across the United States are implementing these key agricultural practices, including dairy farmers in the Big Sioux River watershed.
Dairy farmer Jogchum Andringa plants cover crops, such as rye, turnips and radishes to help build healthier soil, reduce fertilizer application and retain soil moisture.
“In addition to improved soil health and biodiversity, cover crops help prevent soil erosion and reduce nutrient runoff, which protects water quality. Cover crops can also be used as a forage for our cows, providing additional feed options and improving nutrition for the herd,” Adringa said.
Andringa also feeds upcycled agriculture byproducts that could end up in a landfill, such as corn gluten, soy hulls and beet pulp.
“Cows have a unique ability to turn byproducts that humans can’t or won’t eat into nutrient- rich milk. On our farm, one example of this is feeding beet pulp, a byproduct from the processing of sugar beets. Beet pulp is the fibrous material left over after the sugar is extracted and is highly digestible for the cows.”
On a national scale, the U.S. dairy industry has committed to making sustainability and regenerative agricultural practices more affordable and accessible for farms of all sizes through the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative.
The six national dairy organizations that make up the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative (Dairy Management Inc., Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Newtrient and U.S. Dairy Export Council) have committed to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality, optimizing water use and improving water quality by optimizing the use of manure and nutrients by 2050. Sustainable agriculture practices have come a long way on dairy farms, but there is still more work to do.
We look to innovative South Dakota farming leaders such as Jogchum Andringa to continue to spread the good word about the importance of implementing conservation practices that improve soil health and water quality.
Upcoming Events
South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association invites you to the following events in July:
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McCook-Miner-Lake Cattlemen’s Affiliate T-Bone Classic | July 10 | 9am - 8pm
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Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting | July 12-14
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This event brings together the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Cattlemen's Beef Promotion & Research Board, American National CattleWomen, Inc., and the National Cattlemen's Foundation to discuss critical issues, develop initiatives, and establish direction for various projects aimed at improving the beef cattle industry.
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South Dakota Pork invites you to the following events in July:
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Family Fare Rapid City Hog Wild | July 11 | 11am - 2pm
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Ken's Aberdeen Grilling | July 16 | 11am - 2pm
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Pig Wing Fest, Watertown | July 17-18
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Kids education activity by SD Pork on Friday, July 17 from 2-6pm
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The South Dakota Soybean Association (SDSA) invites you to register for the 25th Annual Soybean Open Golf Tournament on July 20. Secure your spot by clicking here, emailing [email protected], or calling the South Dakota Soybean office at (605) 330-9942.
SD Corn will be a participant at the Ag PhD Field Day on July 30. Everything at Field Day is absolutely free — admission, parking, meals, drinks, entertainment, and more! The event runs from 7am – 4pm. Pre-register here.