South Dakota USDA Newsletter - July 16, 2025
In This Issue:
Greetings from the South Dakota FSA State Office,
Over the Independence Day weekend, my family hosted a group of 16 that are mostly removed from agriculture, and we enjoyed the opportunity to show them a working farm – from cattle to machinery. I always enjoy teaching those outside the agricultural community and encourage you to do the same if the opportunity presents itself.
I’d like to take this opportunity to provide a few important program updates. We just wrapped up General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment, but Continuous CRP enrollment is open through July 18 and Grassland CRP enrollment runs through Aug. 8, 2025.
In addition, FSA is rolling out a suite of Supplemental Disaster Assistance programs. Here’s a quick rundown:
- The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) sign-up runs through Aug. 15, 2025. ECAP payments are based on your 2024 planted and prevented planted acres. In South Dakota, we have already approved close to 19,400 applications, so this is a reminder to those who haven’t submitted their application.
- The Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) for Drought and Wildfire provides assistance for losses due to drought or wildfires in 2023 or 2024. Payments have already been issued for producers who have an approved Livestock Forage Disaster Program application on file for those years. A second round of ELRP will be announced soon for producers impacted by flooding.
- The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) provides assistance to producers with revenue, quality or production losses due to weather-related events in 2023 and 2024. For producers with indemnified losses, sign-up opened July 10. Prefilled applications were mailed to producers July 9. On your application, be sure to list all adverse weather conditions, not just drought, that your farm experienced in 2023 and 2024 as some South Dakota counties may not have been rated D2 or D3 by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Finally, a reminder that the nomination period is open for our FSA County Committees. Please consider this opportunity to be the link between your ag community and USDA. If you picked up a nomination form to potentially serve on your local FSA county committee, be sure to return it to your office by Aug. 1, 2025.
For all these programs and more, contact our dedicated FSA staff in your local county office.
Sincerely,
Roger Chase
State Executive Director, South Dakota FSA
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Greetings,
I first want to acknowledge the stormy weather and tornado activity that has swept through parts of South Dakota (SD) this month—my heart goes out to producers and families who were affected by these weather events. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.
Small grain harvest time has arrived in South Dakota, and with it also the opportunity to plant cover crops into the stubble. A web page that can be accessed and referenced anytime, "Cover Crops in South Dakota" is located within the NRCS South Dakota website. Also, through our partnership with the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition (SDSHC) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension, a ‘Cover Crop Characteristics’ poster is available for plant selection. The poster features “NRCS Table 1 for Cover Crops,” which is a quick reference of 20 plant characteristics such as rooting depth and salinity tolerance for over 40 common cover crop plants. A great tool for agronomists, seed suppliers, and producers planning cover crop plantings, this poster is available to download here or by visiting your local NRCS office for a copy.
Thank you to all South Dakota farmers, ranchers, land managers, landowners, and conservation partners who are moving the needle of conservation in our state.
Sincerely,
Tony Sunseri
State Conservationist, South Dakota NRCS
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July 16, 2025 - Free Beginning Farmer and Rancher (BFR) Webinar (information below) Register Here
July 18, 2025 - The Continuous CRP signup second batching period offers will be accepted through July 18, 2025. Offers will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis through July 31, 2025.
August 1, 2025 - Deadline for all County Committee nomination forms for the 2025 election to be postmarked or received in the local FSA office
August 8, 2025 - Deadline for Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Signup
August 15, 2025 - Deadline to apply for 2024 Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
July 2025
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Farm Operating Loans — Direct
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5.000% |
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Farm Ownership Loans — Direct
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5.875% |
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Farm Ownership Loans — Direct Down Payment, Beginning Farmer or Rancher
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1.875% |
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Emergency Loans
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3.750% |
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Farm Storage Facility Loans (7 years)
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4.250% |
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members and encourages all farmers, ranchers, and FSA program participants to take part in the County Committee election nomination process.
Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. Customers can identify which LAA they or their farming or ranching operation is in by using our GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.
County committee members make important decisions about how Federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2025 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2025.
Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year, may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women, and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote and hold office.
Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of 3 to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.
For more information on FSA county committee elections, including fact sheets, nomination forms and FAQs, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.
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If you’re enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, you must protect all cropland and noncropland acres on the farm from wind and water erosion and noxious weeds. By signing ARC county or individual contracts and PLC contracts, you agree to effectively control noxious weeds on the farm according to sound agricultural practices. If you fail to take necessary actions to correct a maintenance problem on your farm that is enrolled in ARC or PLC, the County Committee may elect to terminate your contract for the program year.
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Farmers can use USDA farm ownership microloans to buy and improve property. These microloans are especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013.
Microloans can also help with farmland and building purchases and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
To learn more about the FSA microloan program, contact your local County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov/microloans.
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Farm Service Agency (FSA) borrowers with farms located in designated primary or contiguous disaster areas who are unable to make their scheduled FSA loan payments should consider the Disaster Set-Aside (DSA) program.
DSA is available to producers who suffered losses as a result of a natural disaster and relieves immediate and temporary financial stress. FSA is authorized to consider setting aside the portion of a payment/s needed for the operation to continue on a viable scale.
Borrowers must have at least two years left on the term of their loan in order to qualify.
Borrowers have eight months from the date of the disaster designation to submit a complete application. The application must include a written request for DSA signed by all parties liable for the debt along with production records and financial history for the operating year in which the disaster occurred. FSA may request additional information from the borrower in order to determine eligibility.
All farm loans must be current or less than 90 days past due at the time the DSA application is complete. Borrowers may not set aside more than one installment on each loan.
The amount set-aside, including interest accrued on the principal portion of the set-aside, is due on or before the final due date of the loan.
For more information, contact your local County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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Standing in his soybean field on a humid June afternoon, Kenroy Wipf shared successes and challenges he has faced while implementing conservation practices when planting soybeans.
Wipf recently began experimenting with seeding his cash crop and cover crops simultaneously using a two-bin air seeder. This year, on May 3, Wipf planted soybeans, and between those rows he inter-seeded a combination of oats, cereal rye, and flax. Unfortunately, despite never having the issue before, Wipf had to replant the soybeans with a drill due to the unique ground-hardening conditions that occurred this spring. This hard exterior affected the air seeder’s ability to input the seed deep enough into the soil while planting. Soybeans with an interseeded cover crop mix of oats, cereal rye, and flax.
Now replanted, growing strong, and nestled between corn stalk residue from the year prior and a cover crop mix, it is now time to give the beans their chance to flourish solo. At this stage in the growing process, the existing cover crops will be terminated so the soybeans can soak up the newly established nutrients in the soil and can be harvested by themselves come fall. This termination chemical treatment for the beans is to kill weeds, volunteer corn, and the cover crops that are in between and around the cash crop rows. After a few days, the unwanted species will turn white which is closely followed by beautiful rows of soybeans.
Kenroy shared that he feels leaving residue on his field is necessary, especially considering the sandy soil that exists in his area, the James River Valley. Another issue that he faces living in this area, which is also an issue in much of South Dakota, is soil salinity. “Do you have any salt issues on some of your acres?” asked an NRCS employee. Wipf replied, “we do, last year we planted a lot of certain grasses—we put those areas out (of production) and put the grasses in because you don’t raise nothing there anyway.”
Outside of the growing season, he typically strip-tills in the fall but when given dry autumn conditions, has also found success with spring strip-tilling. Once soybeans are harvested, Wipf reports he then typically follows up with drilling wheat into the ground, then, a grazing cover crop. Even when fields went ungrazed and perennials died, Kenroy planted directly into the residue and still found success.
When asked by Brookings Field Support Office Agronomist, Eric Barsness, what his primary reason for adopting these practices was, he simply answered, “to get carbon in the ground and the roots… something better for the soil,” – sensible stewardship being the overall echo of his statement. Does this sound like a practice you would like to try? There is free one-on-one consultation for conservation planning available with your local NRCS experts. To locate a service center closest to you, visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center?state=46&county=.
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The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is sometimes misunderstood. It is perceived by some as complicated or not for small operations, and neither of those perceptions is true. CSP is designed to help you take your existing conservation efforts on your operation to the next higher level while maintaining your current ones. It’s supposed to help you add to what you’re already doing, either by enhancing your current practices or adding new ones.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works one-on-one with you to develop a conservation plan under CSP to implement these additions or enhancements and help strengthen your operation.
Under CSP, you receive annual payments to help you maintain your existing conservation efforts and enhance them using new conservation practices or activities. CSP contracts last five years, with the opportunity to compete for a contract renewal if you successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives.
CSP is often misunderstood, so here are a few “myths” about the program that we want to dispel.
Myth #1: The deadline to apply for CSP in my state has already passed, so I don’t need to think about applying until next year.
Don’t wait to apply! We accept applications year-round, but funding decisions are made locally at specific times and that “ranking date” may be coming up soon in your area. If we already have your application, it will be considered at the next ranking date. Plus, if you start planning now, you will be ready for application ranking dates as they approach. See program application ranking dates for all states at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ranking-dates.
Myth #2: Enrolling land in CSP is complicated and time-consuming.
If you have a farm and tract number (available from USDA’s Farm Service Agency) and have kept good farm records, you’re already well on your way. You just need to complete a three-page NRCS-CPA-1200 form, see Applications and Forms. You can even complete this form online if you create a farmers.gov account at https://www.farmers.gov/account.
Read more myths.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for summer planted crops, annual forage and forage seeding. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are July 15 and July 31.
Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2025 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the applicable sales closing date.
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser, under the “Dates” tab.
Producers can also access the RMA Map Viewer tool to visualize the insurance program date choices for acreage reporting, cancellation, contract change, earliest planting, end of insurance, end of late planting period, final planting, premium billing, production reporting, sales closing, and termination dates, when applicable, per commodity, insurance plan, type and practice. Additionally, producers can access the RMA Information Reporting System tool to specifically identify applicable dates for their operation, using the “Insurance Offer Reports” application.
Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Producers may select from several coverage options, including yield coverage, revenue protection and area risk plans of insurance.
Crop insurance options include Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy and is available in all counties nationwide. Micro Farm aims to help direct market and small-scale producers that may sell locally, and this policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products.
Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online at the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting their RMA Regional Office. RMA’s Basics for Beginners provides information for those new to crop insurance.
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If you’ve operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 years, join the National BFR Team for an overview of special USDA assistance and resources that are available to you. This session will provide information on how to build your bench for a strong support system.
Event – Building Your Bench
Date – July 16, 2025
Time - 2:00 – 3:30pm Central
Register Here
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South Dakota State University Extension is encouraging producers to take advantage of its free, on-site livestock water testing services across the state.
“It’s never too early to start testing your water,” said Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. "Your animals' health should not be the indicator of water quality. Be proactive and test the water prior to turnout to protect yourself from loss in productivity or death."
Poor water quality can hurt livestock’s growth and reproduction, making it critical to monitor their water supply. Severely contaminated water can cause illness or death. Salverson said testing is the only way to be sure because even clear water can be of poor quality.
SDSU Extension offers water testing services at all eight regional centers and at county offices across the state. Samples must be collected in a clean plastic or glass container such as water bottles, pop bottles or jelly jars.
A quick test is conducted free of charge with an electro-conductivity (EC) meter to determine total salts in the water. After the results are reviewed by an SDSU Extension field or state specialist, Salverson said additional laboratory testing may be suggested. Additional testing offered by private laboratories will be at the cost of the producer.
Salverson said there are many factors that determine water quality, including snowfall, rainfall and grazing management strategies. South Dakota soils tend to be high in salt content, which can raise the salt levels in dugouts, creeks and streams.
“Really consider your grazing management and how that is influencing or impacting your water,” Salverson said.
For more information, contact Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist.
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USDA in South Dakota
200 4th Street SW
Huron, SD 57350
FSA Phone: (605) 352-1160
NRCS Phone: (605) 352-1200
RMA Phone: (406) 651-8450
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Get Started at Your USDA Service Center
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Farm Service Agency
State Executive Director:
Roger Chase
Deputy State Executive Director:
Ryan Vanden Berge
Administrative Officer:
Theresa Hoadley
Program Managers:
Owen Fagerhaug - Conservation
Logan Kopfmann - Disaster Relief
Donita Garry - Program Delivery
Bridget Weber - Farm Loan Program,
Acting
State Outreach Coordinator:
Gail Gullickson
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Natural Resources Conservation
Service
State Conservationist:
Tony Sunseri
Assistant State Conservationists:
Jessica Michalski - Ecological Sciences
James Reedy - Engineering
Nathan Jones - Soils
Val Dupraz - Programs
Colette Kessler - Partnerships
Deke Hobbick - Compliance
Denise Gauer - Management & Strategy
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South Dakota Farm Service Agency
South Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service
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