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Renewed optimism for South Dakota’s cattle industry

The president of South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association says the stronger cattle markets are bringing renewed optimism to cattle producers.

Eric Jennings tells Brownfield…

“Feedlot people have enjoyed a better year than they have in the past several years. We’ve went through some drought in South Dakota and people were concerned about the corn crop, but I don’t think it became an issue, there’s plenty of feed. Pastures were getting short by the end of the year and now, they’re getting turned out on corn stalks.”

Jennings says there have also been stronger calf prices this fall, a positive for the cow-calf sector. There’s been some herd rebuilding.

“Western South Dakota has started to bring some numbers back up, but eastern South Dakota hasn’t started that process yet.”

Jennings says a mild start to the winter also adds to producer optimism. The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association had their annual meeting in Watertown this week.