Although U.S. Agriculture Secretary Rollins was grounded by weather and missed the event, South Dakota’s congressional delegation—Sen. John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds, and Rep. Dusty Johnson—addressed a packed house at Dakotafest in Mitchell, discussing trade, the farm bill, workforce challenges, and public health.
Thune noted strong crop yields but warned that low commodity prices and high input costs are squeezing farmers. All three lawmakers backed President Trump’s trade efforts, saying new deals could boost South Dakota’s $5 billion ag export market. Johnson expressed hope that Trump could secure expanded soybean sales to China, despite concerns from the American Soybean Association.
Thune proposed a trilateral trade agreement with South Korea and Japan to counter China’s influence, linking economic ties to national security.
Rounds highlighted Rollins’ role in dropping federal charges against the Maude family over a land dispute, calling for a landowner bill of rights to limit permanent easements.
Johnson emphasized South Dakota’s unique ag profile—one of nine states with more cattle than people—and the need for bipartisan support on the farm bill. He praised Rollins’ understanding of production agriculture and said recent health policy drafts were less critical of modern farming than expected.
Rounds defended American farmers, saying health issues stem more from food processing than from farm practices.
On immigration and ag labor, the delegation credited Trump for border security and expressed optimism about reforming work visa programs to support the ag workforce.
The event, moderated by Farm Bureau member Jared Knock, did not include audience questions. Knock joked that Rollins’ absence might be used to lure Trump or VP J.D. Vance to Dakotafest in 2026.
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