SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

MEDIA UPDATE

                                                                        For Immediate Release: Feb. 25, 2012

Media Contacts: Jamie Crew, 605-773-4073

Governor Daugaard Promotes South Dakota Dairy Industry In California

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Dennis Daugaard highlighted South Dakota’s dairy industry in his recent visit to the World Ag Expo.

For the second year, Gov. Daugaard, Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) attended the event in Tulare, Calif., and they received significant media coverage.

CBS 47 Fresno ran a segment with Gov. Daugaard stating, ““We have no personal income tax, no corporate income tax. The land costs are lower, the feed costs are lower and the milk prices you get for your product are higher. It just makes economic sense.”   http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Recruiting-Trip/7kQjPrfraE-azOY7COosFA.cspx

Dairy Herd Network published a video, in which Gov. Daugaard said, “The dairy processing facilities in South Dakota are expanding.” http://www.dairyherd.com/e-newsletters/dairy-daily/When-it-comes-to-dairy-South-Dakota-is-open-for-business-191326541.html

Mercury News Silicon Valley quoted Agriculture Secretary Bones. “We have a lot of opportunity to grow the business here.” http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22560496/south-dakota-looking-add-more-dairy-cows

“Both current and prospective dairy producers are recognizing the great opportunities available for them to grow in South Dakota,” said Paul Kostboth, Agricultural Development Director for SDDA. “Our producers enjoy comparatively lower operating costs thanks to such things as locally available feedstuffs and low taxes. The high demand due to a large available capacity for milk and plans to expand helps ensure strong prices well into the foreseeable future.”

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating over $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 122,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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