A study released by the South Dakota Center for Farm and Ranch Management at Mitchell Technical Institute reveals that net farm income in South Dakota dropped 77-percent in 2015 compared to 2014. That’s based on 110 farming operations they track throughout the state. Farm Business Management Assistant Director Will Walter says the average net farm income in 2015 follows some record high income years.

He says income was down as both grain and livestock prices were lower. However, grains operations saw a bigger income drop.

Walter says on the other side of the balance sheet farm living expenses and input costs were fairly constant.

The Center for Farm and Ranch Management has tracked farmer’s income since 1989.