SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 23, 2013

Media Contact: Candi Hettinger, 605.353.7354

Aug. 28-29 Proclaimed Stock Dog Days in South Dakota

HURON, S.D. –Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed Wednesday, Aug. 28, and Thursday, Aug. 29, as Stock Dog Days to recognize the importance of stock dogs on farms and ranches across South Dakota. 

The proclamation recognizes  the more than 3,000 stock dogs and 100 stock dog breeders in South Dakota.and emphasizes stock dogs’ ability for safe, humane and low stress livestock handling.

The proclamation in length can be seen here: https://executive.sdsos.gov/images/pdfs/20130819-StockDogDays.pdf

Stock Dog Days coincide with the SD Stock Dog Association Stock Dog Trials at the SD State Fair.

Sheep trials will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 28, starting at 9 a.m. CDT in the Hippodrome with the finals following on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. CDT.

Cattle trials begin at 9 a.m. CDT on Thursday, Aug. 29, in the North Arena followed by the finals at 6:30 p.m. CDT in the Hippodrome.

During the stock dog trials, a trained stock dog will be auctioned off to benefit Make-A-Wish® South Dakota. Make-A-Wish kids and their families will be the special guests of the Stock Dog Association on Thursday, Aug. 29, and will be present at the finals.

The dog being auctioned is Loui, a one-and-a-half-year-old male border collie who is trained for livestock work. All proceeds of the dog auction will benefit Make-A-Wish South Dakota.

For more information about the Stock Dog Association Finals at the South Dakota State Fair, please contact Tim Naasz at 605.207.0229 or Kelly Jackson at 605.350.0845 or visit www.southdakotastockdog.com.

The 2013 South Dakota State Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 2. Channel Seeds Preview night will be Wednesday, Aug. 28. This year’s theme is “Starry Nights and Midway Lights.” For more information on State Fair events, contact the Fair office at 800.529.0900, visit www.sdstatefair.com or find them Facebook and Twitter.

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 at https://www.facebook.com/SDAgDept and Twitter @SDAgriculture.

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