South Dakota’s dairy industry is growing.
As of January 2024, data from the United States Department of Agriculture shows the total count of dairy cows in the state is 208,000. That’s an increase of 70.5% since 2019. And in the past 12 years, South Dakota’s dairy herd has grown from 90,000 head to 208,000.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Schilken says the economic impact of those additional 118,000 cows is nearly $4 billion annually.
Governor Kristi Noem says South Dakota farmers and ranchers are passionate about what they do and their dedication to the dairy industry has that sector of the state’s economy thriving.
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