Tag: Agriculture

Environment, Government, JusticeLeave a comment

Ruling that dilutes regulatory power could ripple through farm and ranch country for years

Gary Dickson

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises vs. Raimondo has overturned the 40-year precedent known as the Chevron doctrine, limiting deference to federal agency expertise. This ruling will impact farmers and ranchers in South Dakota, allowing them better standing to challenge agency rules. The decision is expected to lead to more consistency in regulations and an increase in lawsuits over federal regulations. Continue reading Ruling that dilutes regulatory power could ripple through farm and ranch country for years

Agriculture, EnvironmentLeave a comment

Supreme Court upholds $4.75 million verdict for dairy affected by ‘stray voltage’

Gary Dickson

The Iowa Supreme Court upheld a jury’s $4.75 million award to Vagts Dairy for damages caused by electrical currents from a nearby gas pipeline. The dairy’s cattle suffered abnormal behavior, illnesses, and high mortality rates. The court’s decision rejected the gas company’s appeal, emphasizing the severity of the damages and supporting the jury’s verdict. Continue reading Supreme Court upholds $4.75 million verdict for dairy affected by ‘stray voltage’

Agriculture, Commentary, Environment1 Comment

Farm insurance unfairness: Taxpayers foot the bill, but only for the ‘golden crops’

Gary Dickson

Farmers in Iowa face challenges getting insurance coverage for agritourism due to high premiums and limited options. The federally subsidized insurance largely benefits large-scale commodity crops, leaving smaller-scale farmers with limited support. Calls for reform and reduced subsidies highlight the disparity, with Republican lawmakers advocating for increased support for the “Golden Crops.” The author questions the fairness of taxpayer-funded support for crop insurance while essential public services remain underfunded. Continue reading Farm insurance unfairness: Taxpayers foot the bill, but only for the ‘golden crops’

Agriculture, BusinessLeave a comment

Elk Point’s Fleurish Flower Farm named Specialty Crop Producer of the Year

Gary Dickson

The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) and the S.D. The Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources moved to recognize one specialty crop producer for making an outstanding contribution to local production in South Dakota. 

Christy Heckathorn of Fleurish Flower Farm, is the 2023 S.D. Specialty Crop Producer of the Year.

Fleurish’s one-acre flower farm, near Elk Point, S.D., is home to a variety of annuals, perennials and an heirloom pumpkin patch. Continue reading Elk Point’s Fleurish Flower Farm named Specialty Crop Producer of the Year

Government, IowaLeave a comment

Your guide to which bills survived the first legislative ‘funnel’ (and which didn’t)

Gary Dickson

Most of the priority bills proposed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators made it through the first major deadline for the 2024 legislative session. But the details of many of those major bills are still subject to change in the coming weeks.

In her Condition of the State speech in January, Reynolds laid out goals to make significant changes to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and the state’s mental health care system. She also announced plans to merge or cut many of the state’s boards and commissions.

Lawmakers moved bills on these issues, and many more, through the committee process in the past week. Most legislation had to be passed by a committee in at least one chamber by the end of “funnel week” to remain eligible for consideration during the session.

Here’s a rundown of some of the notable bills that survived – and some that did not – during the first funnel week: Continue reading Your guide to which bills survived the first legislative ‘funnel’ (and which didn’t)

CommentaryLeave a comment

The dog ate my farm bill and other Republican excuses

Gary Dickson

The new five-year federal farm program, which was due on the president’s desk no later than Sept.  30, 2023, is missing. Republicans, who run the U.S. House of Representatives, don’t have a good answer about why it is missing.

In fact, the explanation for what happened to it is little more than a reworking of the age-old “the dog ate my homework” excuse used to “explain” missing arithmetic homework assignments by school kids for years. Continue reading The dog ate my farm bill and other Republican excuses

Crime, History, Iowa, People, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Siouxland, Small towns, South DakotaLeave a comment

So, a few years ago this week . . .

Gary Dickson

Welcome to a new feature of The Siouxland Observer. It’s sort of like your hometown newspaper’s “Peeking in the Past” column — only different.

Here we present for your inspection, actual news items that appeared during the week of Dec. 10 – 16 1900 from area newspapers clipped from Newspapers.com. We thought you’d enjoy them. Of course, since they’ve been clipped just as they were printed, none have been edited to spare you the mirth or fear of what it was like back then. These may or may not be in any particular order. Higgledy-Piggledy, if you will. Sort of like the editor’s brain. Continue reading So, a few years ago this week . . .

Agriculture, Iowa, Rural Life, Siouxland, South DakotaLeave a comment

Looks like harvest is going well

Gary Dickson

If you’ve been driving outside of town anywhere in Siouxland the last week or so, you’ve likely noticed combines out in the fields. And if you’ve been on the secondary roads in South Dakota, Iowa or Nebraska you’ve probably encountered farm machinery or trucks going between fields or transporting corn or soybeans to the nearest elevator. Yup, it’s that time of year in Siouxland. I’m not a farmer, but I’m always curious as to how harvest is going for those that are. Especially when our local TV meteorologists are forecasting heavy rain for later in the week. And I’ll bet … Continue reading Looks like harvest is going well