The drought takes center stage at Stockgrowers convention - KOTA Territory News

The drought takes center stage at Stockgrowers convention

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association's 121st annual Convention and Trade Show features speakers who discuss issues affecting producers.

But there seems to be only one thing on everyone's mind.

"Everybody here is talking about the drought about how much hay they have at home, how much grass they have. What their water supplies look like, that's def foremost in everyone's mind," said Silvia Christen, Executive Director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

It's no secret the drought's been tough on producers, but Christen says there are other important issues as well.

"The election is a big issue, big conversation for people. But also what that means in terms of stability with interest rates, loan availability and credit lines. With the drought this year, those types of programs and those types of policy issues are going to be very important to our producers," said Christen.

Greg Hanes, with the U.S. Meat Export Federation says exporting is another important topic - especially with higher feed costs and decreased domestic demand.

"Right now exports are adding over $210 per head and especially during difficult times like this that can really be the difference between make or break," said Hanes.

"Every pound of meat we export brings the value of the meat we sell at home up because it creates more demand and lessens the domestic supply we have to use in the this country," said Bob Fortune, Cattle Producer.

And good news for producers, those foreign markets are growing.

"Asia really represents the growth for exports, just the population growth there, and the economies improving. The potential is huge," said Hanes.

But even with the uncertainty of the drought, it's business as usual for producers.

"Our producers are going to get through this. They are going to get out there and work hard and make the business decisions they need to get through this drought," said Christen.

"We have enough feed to make it through this winter but if it don't rain next year then all of a sudden we are in trouble and everyone else is in trouble," said Fortune.