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 Our Agricultural State |
Farming and ranching have been the cornerstone of South Dakota's economy since the earliest days of statehood. We rely more heavily on agriculture than any other state. Agriculture contributes over $19 billion the state’s economy each year. That is more than one third of the state’s total economic activity.
South Dakota ranks among the top ten states nationally in producing corn, soybeans, wheat, proso millet, flaxseed, sorghum, sunflowers, oats, alfalfa, hay, honey, cattle, sheep, and bison. The rugged rangeland of western South Dakota is home to millions of beef cattle and sheep. The majority of crops are grown in the fertile farmland of eastern South Dakota.
But agriculture in South Dakota is much more than traditional crops and livestock. The timber industry in the state is one of the largest year-around employers in the Black Hills. The horticulture business is a $55 million industry. Agricultural processing adds $3 billion to the value of raw commodities harvested from the state's farms and ranches.
South Dakota agriculture is constantly changing to keep pace with the world economy and changes in consumer demand. Modern farmers and ranchers need a wide array of business skills to prosper in today's economy. Many use computers as management tools.
Farmers and ranchers adjust their management practices to produce the type of crop or livestock wanted by consumers. For example, as consumers began demanding leaner meat, South Dakota producers used careful genetic selection and management to produce leaner cattle and hogs.
Commodity groups in the state work continually to develop new markets for South Dakota wheat, corn, soybeans, oilseeds, meat, and dairy products.
Farmers and ranchers provide the food we eat and many of the clothes we wear. Multitudes of products contain items that are derived from agricultural commodities — everything from toothpaste to automobile tires, shampoo to shoes. Every day, agriculture touches all of us.
 Livestock
Grains
Forestry & Environment
Ranking — 2007 USDA/NASS Report
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