By Owen Anderson, County Executive Director, Sanborn/Jerauld County Office
2013 DCP and ACRE. Sign-up began on Feb. 19. ACRE sign-up ends June 3. DCP sign-up ends Aug. 2. Producers can enroll any farm in either DCP or ACRE for 2013 so farms that were enrolled in ACRE for 2012 may be switched to DCP in 2013 and vise versa. There will not be any advance direct payments for 2013. Full direct payments will be made around Oct. 1.
Multi-peril Crop Insurance (MPCI): See your MPCI agent for MPCI coverage on insurable crops by March 15.
Non-Insured Assistance Program (NAP): See FSA for NAP coverage on non-insurable crops by March 15. In Sanborn and Jerauld this typically covers grass hay, pastures, melons, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, sweet corn, plus other uninsurable crops.
Checks and Electronic Fund Transfers: Checks submitted to FSA or CCC are converted to electronic fund transfers. Electronic fund transfers are fast with funds withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day. This pretty much eliminates “float” time. Make sure you have the money in your account before writing checks.
“USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.”

SIOUX FALLS – The South Dakota Pork Producers Council (SDPPC) elected Andrew Arhart, a pork producer from Alpena, to serve as president for a second term.
“I am excited to serve my second term as a president of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council. I am ready to take on the challenges that might arise for our group of producer’s,” said Arhart.
“We have many exciting opportunities ahead of us in the South Dakota pork industry and I am looking forward to working with all the dedicated pork producers that are committed to the swine industry in this state.”
Arhart is a 1995 graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University with a degree in accounting and ag-business.  After graduation, he joined the family farm and also worked as a commodity broker and grain merchandiser, before transitioning to the farm full-time in 2004.
Currently, Andrew and his wife, Melissa, manage Arhart Farms, Inc., along with his brother, Jonathan, his wife, Joy, and parents, LaVerne and Judy.  The farms consist of a 3,600 head hog finishing facility, 800 head beef feedlot, 250 head cow-calf operation and 1,200 acres of cropland.
The board also elected Lester Moeller of St. Lawrence as first vice president; Ryan Storm of Mt. Vernon as second vice president; Rod Foster of Garden City, Matt Storm of Mount Vernon, Ray Epp of Yankton, Craig Anderson of Centerville, Clarence Wurtz and Hannah Walkes of Pipestone Vet Clinic were elected to the executive board.
For nutritional information and pork recipes or for information about modern pork production, please visit www.sdpork.org.