The Reality of Ranching
Do you know where your food comes from?
South Dakota ranchers want you to know that they work hard every day to care for their animals so they can provide safe, healthy, affordable food for your family's table. After all, it's the same food their families eat, too!
The reality of ranching? Ranching is tough. Ranching means being outside in all kinds of weather. Ranching is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week business. But livestock producers in South Dakota are dedicated to doing it right and caring for their animals so we can all enjoy healthy and delicious beef.
Your food dollar... it might surprise you!
Would you be surprised to know that only 16 cents of every dollar spent on food goes to the farmer or rancher? The other 84 cents of each dollar you spend on food go for off-farm costs like transportation, processing, energy, marketing, and retailing. So when prices go up at the grocery store, there are a lot of factors involved. Learn more.
Fun facts about South Dakota agriculture!
- 98% of South Dakota farms and ranches are family-owned
- Agriculture has an annual economic impact of $21.4 billion in South Dakota
- South Dakota has 5 beef cattle for every state resident
- One farmer today produces enough food to feed 155 people
Source: SD Department of Agriculture