-- is the trade association for sheep producers of South Dakota.  South Dakota is the 5th largest producer of lamb and wool in the United States.

-- is a state member of the American Sheep Industry, the sheep industry voice involved in: meat safety, marketing, regulations through national education, communication and lobbying and legislation.

President's Message - Dec/Jan

Howdy from Western South Dakota.                                                                                          I'm Steve Clements, President of the South Dakota SheepGrowers Association.  Our family has been involved in the sheep industry for almost 100 years.  You can find the list of directors for our association on this web site --  feel free to call any of us with concerns or questions. 

I want to touch on a few issues that are coming up.  Recently the SD Game Fish & Parks held meetings to show us some budget shortfalls that are on the horizon.  I am not sure what will become of our Animal Damage Control Program -- at this time their proposal is to shift trappers to more non ADC areas.  Also, in some regions, trappers may be cut or shifted to other areas.  No matter which region you are in, the end result will most likely be reduction in services with fewer trappers.  I feel that the ADC program is spread too thin already.  We may have some options, such as moving the ADC program to either the Dept. of Ag, or to the USDA/APHIS Wildlife services, which is now doing our aerial hunting program.  Either of these options would probably take legislative changes in Pierre.

On a more positive note, Chase Adams is on board to be our lobbyist in Pierre during the upcoming session.  Chase is the farm director for KBHB radio in Sturgis.  He has a broad range of knowledge of the ag industry on the national & state level.  He will be an asset to the sheep industry, and I would like to welcome him aboard.

The ASI & NLFA (National Lamb Feeders Assoc) yearly meeting is on Jan 21-24, 2009 in SanDiego, CA.  It looks like they have a great lineup of events & meetings, and I encourage anyone who can attend to go.  You will come away with a better understanding of the entire sheep industry & meet some interesting people.

The lamb checkoff is coming up for a producer vote again in February.  The exact details are still not out, but it will probably be administered throught the FSA office again.  Please get out and vote.  When the checkoff program was revised a few years ago changes were made.  Producers, first handlers, and packers all pay into the program to help promote American lamb, fund research & provide education for the industry.  Everyone should try to help in some way to improve the sheep industry we are in.

Shearing and lambing are just around the corner.  I would encourage you to go the extra step when you shear this year to keep your clip as clean and reputable as you can.  With the good rains this year, we should have higher yielding and cleaner wool.  Get your wool core tested if you can, so you and the wool buyers know what you have to sell.

Well, I hope this finds everyone in good health, and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 

History of the SDSGA

The Western South Dakota Sheep Growers  Association was formed in 1937 by sheep producers in an effort to eradicate scabies in sheep.  With their efforts successful, the organization was continued and became a member of the National Wool Growers Association in 1940.  In 1979, a statewide organization was formed called the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association.

The SDSGA has dedicated efforts in the following areas: Animal Health; Animal Damage Control; Labor; Taxation; Imports; Land Use and Development; Public Lands; and Legislation - both state & national.