South Dakota
Learn More About
South Dakota Farmers
- South Dakota Department of Ag
- South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service
- South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
- South Dakota Beef Industry Council
- Midwest Dairy Association
- South Dakota Pork Producers Council
- South Dakota Wheat Commission
- South Dakota Corn Utilization Council
Learn More about South Dakota Agriculture
- South Dakota Cattleman's Association
- South Dakota Poultry Industries Association
- South Dakota Farm Bureau
- South Dakota Ag in the Classroom
South Dakota Farmers
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South Dakota Hog Farmer
“If you want the best production from a livestock facility, you have to keep your animals healthy, so that’s why it’s important every day to come and check on them.”
Doug WevikHog Farmer
Name: Doug Wevik
Location: Beresford, South Dakota
Years farming: I have farmed for 38 years, beginning while I was in high school.
My family: My family consists of my wife Chris and our four children. Valerie, the oldest, is married with two children. Ashley is married, while Kara will be a junior at the University of South Dakota, and Daniel will be starting his freshman year at South Dakota State University.
How I came to be a farmer: I started in high school with FFA projects, which included renting land and having livestock projects with my father. While attending South Dakota State University, I remained active in the family farming operation, and returned to full-time farming when I graduated.
The best thing about being a farmer: I enjoy the variety of jobs involved in farming, working outdoors, and being my own boss. But the thing I enjoy most is being able to work with my family members on a daily basis, including my wife, who handles the day-to-day chores for the hog operation, and my father, who at 78, still helps out whenever he can.
My personal philosophy on farming: I believe in leaving the land in better condition than when I started farming. I strive to do that by protecting the soil through many conservation methods, including no-till crop farming, grass waterways, terraces, and carefully monitoring the manure management plan for our hog operation.
Pork Production in South Dakota and the United States
- There are 1,042 pork producers in South Dakota.
- More than 2 million hogs produced in South Dakota go to market every year.
- Agriculture in South Dakota employs more than 173,000 people – 40% of the workforce!
- Pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world.
- Per capita consumption of pork in the U.S. is around 48 pounds.
- Pork today is approximately 30% leaner than it was 20 years ago.
- A consumer survey in 2006 showed the most popular sandwich made at home was ham.
- Raising pigs indoors allows farmers to keep the animals warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Pigs were domesticated almost 10,000 years ago in China.
- Pork producers’ We Care initiative demonstrates a commitment to produce safe food while protecting animal well-being, natural resources, public health and the environment.
- Insulin from hogs is used to treat diabetes, heart valves from hogs are used to replace diseased human heart valves and skin from hogs is used to treat severe burn victims.
For more information about hog farming in South Dakota, please visit www.sdppc.org.
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