SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - In the last two years South Dakota ranchers have taken a 60% cut in their paycheck.
South Dakota Stock Growers Association Executive Sylvia Christen says it's the largest fall in cattle prices in history.
Christen says it will be tough for ranchers to make ends meet this year. She says the economic hardship will takes its toll on families including the mental health standpoint as well
Christen adds that the million dollar question is what's causing the crisis?
She says beef being imported from Brazil right now is changing the supply and demand structure in the United States. She also speculates that there may be some anti-trust violations coming some of the big packer companies. She says something is not working properly in the market.
Christen calls on South Dakota's congressional delegation to take a hard look at the industry and try to expose more transparency in the markets.
She says there is an investigation into what is causing the market to drop so drastically, and that needs to be followed through.
South Dakota's ag industry brings in $20 billion dollars a year, but cattle producers are facing a less than profitable year. Christen says ranchers receive a paycheck once a year.
