SD Farmers Share Impact of Soybean Market Crisis with D.C. Policymakers

By Lura Roti

Family farmers and ranchers had a lot to discuss with policymakers when they traveled from South Dakota to D.C. for the 2025 National Farmers Union (NFU) annual Fly-In September 8-10.

Farm bankruptcies are up 95 percent across the nation. China isn't buying U.S. soybeans due to the current Trade War. And there is still no Farm Bill.

"With all the seriousness and challenges we face, let's keep in mind the blessings - family, community, neighbors - these are the reasons we are here and why it is so important to speak with one voice," said Rob Larew, NFU President, in his welcome address at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Lance Perrion's wife and three young daughters are the reason he made the trip just six days ahead of harvest. "We are not headed in a good direction because there is no follow through with policy to help the U.S. build a long-term plan," explained the third-generation Ipswich corn and soybean farmer. "The current policy is not working. There is consolidation at every level of industry, and the Trade War is crippling our markets. Going into soybean harvest, we are looking at 25 percent under breakeven to start."

The Trade War's impact on soybean markets topped the list of concerns Perrion and other farmers shared with policymakers during their Hill visits.

Although South Dakota's leaders were sympathetic to the plight of farmers this soybean harvest, when family farmers and ranchers met with John Thune, Mike Rounds and Dusty Johnson, they did not have any answers.

When Aberdeen farmer, Kirk Schaunaman asked Thune what message the farmers and ranchers present should take back to their friends and neighbors in South Dakota, Thune said. "The situation is dire… I am a long-term skeptic of tariffs because we are an ag state and we depend on export markets. So, tariffs are risky business," Thune said. "The President is convinced tariffs will raise so much revenue for the country. My question is, at what cost? And to who?"

Rounds expressed similar thoughts. "They are going to use us as a negotiating tool with trade tariffs."

Rounds added that it is not just family farmers who are expressing concerns. "Bankers and ag retailers - an army of people are making a loud noise behind the scenes telling decision makers you need help."

When it comes to aid for agriculture producers, not having a current Farm Bill also concerned many attending the Fly-In.

"From my perspective as a producer, my optimism wanes every year that goes by without a Farm Bill," said Rob Lee a De Smet farmer who serves as a Next Generation Farmer on the National Farmers Union Board of Directors.

Getting Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) into the next Farm Bill presented a glimmer of hope and opportunity members advocated for during their time in D.C.

The idea was well received by Rounds, Thune and Johnson.

"If MCOOL was part of the Farm Bill it would promote actual home-raised, USA beef," explained Casey Duvall an Ipswich cow/calf producer.

This is the first year Duvall and his wife, Brittney attended the Fly-In. "We are here because my husband and I are concerned about the interest rates and the volatility in the cattle market," Brittney said.

Many believe anti-trust issues among the Big Four Packers have an impact on the cattle markets. During the Fly-In many South Dakota producers met with Department of Justice (DOJ) administrators and staff to receive an update on the on-going investigation into the packers.

"We had a really great meeting with the assistant attorney general of the DOJ Antitrust Division," explained Parade rancher Oren Lesmeister. "It was pretty enlightening to hear that they're moving forward on the investigation. They know that they're on a timeline of now down to three-and-a-half years to get something done with monopolization."

Right to Repair was also a topic farmers and ranchers brought up to leaders and during the DOJ meeting.

Fifth-generation Reliance rancher, Buster Reis is eager to have laws changed to allow machinery owners access to diagnostic technology that would allow them to repair their own equipment. Currently only certified technicians have this access.

"This winter, right before a storm, we were trying to get feeding done and the tractor we use to pull the feed wagon would not run due to an error. So, we had to waste nearly a day getting a technician to hook it up to a code reader. If we had been able to do this ourselves, it would have taken no time at all, and we would not have wasted time ahead of a storm that we did not have to waste."

It's real-life stories like Reis' that make an impact, explained Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. "Policymakers need to hear from us about how the decisions they make impact us. Without our personal stories, they have no idea what is happening on the farm or ranch."

This year, more than 30 South Dakota family farmers and ranchers were able to share their stories because South Dakota Farmers Union sponsored them to attend the D.C. Fly-In. Members who attended were: Doug Sombke, SDFU President and Brown County farmer; Jeff Kippley, National Farmers Union Vice President & SDFU Vice President, Aberdeen farmer; Karla Hofhenke, SDFU Executive Director; Rocky Forman, SDFU Membership Coordinator; Oren Lesmeister, Parade; Lance Perrion, Ipswich; Haleigh Reis- Elwood, Oacoma; Keeleigh Reis- Elwood, Oacoma; Brenda Reis, Oacoma; David Reis, Oacoma; Larry Birgen, Beresford; Casey Duvall, Ipswich; Brittney Duvall, Ipswich; Robert Lee, De Smet; Darcie Lee, De Smet; Brad Temple, Clark; Gail Temple, Clark; Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen; Chad Johnson, Groton; Porter Johnson, Groton; Brenna Johnson, Groton; Lance Hinsvark, Gary; Lindsey Hinsvark, Gary; Bryan Bunker, Reliance; Amber Bunker, Reliance; Lorrie Hanson, Britton; Andrew Streff, Salem; Brock Besler, Reva; Tasha Besler, Reva; Chris Goldsmith, Lemmon; Jennifer Goldsmith, Lemmon; Buster Reis, Reliance and Swade Reis, Reliance.

To hear video testimonials from family farmers and ranchers who participated in the D.C. Fly-In, visit the South Dakota Farmers Union Facebook page. To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union works to support family farmers and ranchers, visit www.sdfu.org.