South Dakota Farmers Union members adopted three special orders of business at their annual meeting addressing ag consolidation and the cattle industry crisis, Medicaid expansion and co-ops. President Doug Sombke says their delegates are supporting the National Farmers Union Fairness for Farmers campaign which provides a solution to the growing market consolidation in especially the beef sector as it’s a threat to national food security.

He says the Department of Justice needs to realize just how big the ag concentration problem is and the negative impact anti-competitive practices are having on farmers, so they can take enforcement action.

Sombke says they also passed a resolution on co-ops tied to the recent action by Dakota Energy. The cooperative filed a legal complaint to establish an equitable or fair exit fee to withdraw from East River on the basis of continued rate increases.

Aberdeen farmer Jeff Kippley has also filed his intention to run for National Farmers Union Vice President and Sombke says he will be an outstanding candidate especially with his tax and accounting background.