dairy cow

Dairy Development in Spink County

 
Dairy Committee:
Bjorn Aamot
LeAnne Bawek
Andy Clawson
Deb Hekrdle
 Steve Masat
Preston Miles
Gary Wipf
Norbe Barrie
Dairy Committee meets regularly to brainstorm ways to promote dairy production in Spink County




 Resources 

Grow Spink, Inc.
Craig Johnson, Executive Director

Dairy Development Committee
Gary Wipf     605-472-1690
Steve Masat    605-472-3853
LeAnne Bawek
Bjorn Aamot
Deb Hekrdle
Preston Miles

Spink County Extension Service
605-472-5006

Mark Rosenberg,
Extension Educator/Agronomy


Spink County Commission
In care of Spink County Auditor's Office
605-472-4580

Redfield Chamber of Commerce
Cathy Fink, Executive Director
605-472-0965
www.redfield-sd.com



United State Department of Agriculture
605-472-0100

Farm Service Agency
Rich Rische
William Becker, Jr.

Natural Resources Conservation Service
Shane Jordan
James Millar
  Dairy Committee Assistance 

The Grow Spink Dairy committee will introduce prospective dairy producers to local land owners and agricultural producers, provide designated dairy site locatons, have preliminary site assessments completed on soil conditions, contact area electrical and water utility companies, and assist with all other aspects of planning, financing, and contracting dairy inputs.


Regional Milk Processing Plants
Land O' Lakes - Volga, South Dakota
Davisco - Lake Norden, South Dakota
Valley Queen - Milbank, South Dakota
AMPI - Dawson, Minnesota
Wells Blue Bunny - LeMars, Iowa
Cass Clay - Fargo, North Dakota



Spink County Ag Census
Number of Farms
Land in Farms (acres)
Average Farm Size (acres)
Irrigated Acres
Average Age of Farmers
 647
849,345
1,313
14,006
50.6
Information taken from most recent
census of Agriculture, 1997


   Opportunity Abounds. . .
 
Grow Spink, Inc.
Spink County Courthouse
PO Box 436
Redfield SD 57469
605-472-5011 (voice)
605-472-4582 (FAX)
www.growspink.com
craig.johnson@growspink.com



Spink County Fast Facts

state map showing Spink County



dairy cow

Location and Demographics

  • Spink County is located in northeast South Dakota in the James River Valley. It covers approximately 1,500 square miles at an approximate elevation of 1,400 feet above sea level.
  • The county has a population of about 8,000; 100,000 people live within a one hour drive of its borders.
  • Its citizens are served by the city of Redfield as county seat and 9 other communities. Five school districts serve approximately 1,450 K-12 students.
  • Transportation wise, the county is served by SD Highways 37 and 20, US Highways 212 and 281, and 204 miles of paved county roads.

Climate

  • The county mean annual precipitation is 20" with a 35" mean annual snow fall. Daily mean maximum temperture ranges from 20 degrees to 90 degrees and daily mean minimum temperatures range from zero degrees to 60 degrees. For more information on climate, see www.cdc.noaa.gov




  • A dairy farmer interested in relocating in Spink County can be assured of a favorable welcome. On January 1, 2002, the County and Redfield City entered into an agreement with Grow Spink, Inc. to promote economic growth. Adding value to our agriculture base is a high priority. The county commissioners only recently passed a resolution favoring expansion of family dairies. The county's zoning and permit regulations will balance this expansion with appropriate environmental and "good neighbor" policies.

Business Incentives and Information
  • Spink County and all of South Dakota have a favorable business tax structure. The state has no personal or corporate income tax and no inheritance or business inventory tax. A 4% sales tax is imposed state-wide. The city of Redfield has a 2% sales tax and an additional 1% tax on certain products to promote development. Farm real estate in Spink County is taxed an average of 1.5% of assessed valuation.



Agricultural Information
  • Spink County is a major producer of agricultural products; number two in corn production behind its neighbor, Brown County, with significant tonnage of alfalfa and prairie hay.

2001 Commodity Information
  Acres Planted Yield Amount Produced  
All Corn Planted:
Corn for Grain
Corn for Silage
Soybeans
Oats
All Sunflowers
Winter Wheat
Spring Wheat
Alfalfa Hay
 156,000
148,000
7,100
287,700
1,100
1,800
3,000
42,900
47,000
  
118.7 bushels
8.7 tons
31.7 bushels
51.8 bushels
1,450 pounds
47.7 bushels
52.1 bushels
3.22 tons
  
17,568 bushels
61,600 tons
9,112,000 bushels
57,000 bushels
2,610,000 pounds
143,000 bushels
2,235,000 bushels
151,300 tons
  
#2 in state
 
#2 in state
Corn Basis: -$0.35 - $-0.50 of Chicago Board of Trade