Governor Kristi Noem has signed Executive Order 2021-10 granting extended hours of service for the commercial delivery of petroleum products in South Dakota.

The order declares a state of emergency and exempts delivery of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and ethyl alcohol from federal motor carrier regulations on drivers’ hours of service. Residents and businesses in western South Dakota are faced with an unexpected shortage of supply.

“We are at the height of our tourism season, as well as a busy time for our agriculture industry. Maintaining the supply of fuel is crucial to preventing a disruption of service to two of our state’s major industries,” said Noem. “This 30-day order is meant to ensure a steady supply of fuel is available to our visitors, businesses, farmers, and ranchers in the western part of the state.’’

The governor noted that this is not just an issue within South Dakota, but a regional emergency that is being met with swift action.

Although hours of service have been temporarily suspended for commercial deliveries, companies may not require or allow fatigued drivers to make deliveries.

The executive order was signed July 17 and expires at midnight on August 16, 2021. All other road safety and vehicle compliance regulations still apply.

The executive order can be downloaded here.

Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will appoint Stephanie Rissler and Julie Bartling to serve on the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (GFP) Commission.

“South Dakota’s breathtaking parks and tremendous hunting and fishing opportunities are a big part of what makes our state so special,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I look forward to working with Stephanie, Julie, and the rest of the Commission to find even more opportunities to highlight South Dakota’s natural beauty.”

Rissler worked in tv and radio from 1989 until last year, including 23 years at South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Since December 2020, she has served as the Communication Manager for the South Dakota Association of HealthCare Organizations. She graduated from Black Hills State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications in 1995.

Bartling currently serves as the Gregory County Auditor. She held that position from 1983 through 2000 and since 2019. She also served in the South Dakota Legislature from 2001 through 2010 and from 2013 through 2018, serving five terms in the House and three terms in the Senate. She and her husband, Bart, have owned Bartling Trucking since 1977, have a farm and ranch in Gregory County, and are the parents of four and grandparents of eight grandchildren.

Information on the GFP Commission can be found here. Photographs of Rissler and Bartling can be found here.

Following a legislative push from U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will abandon efforts to reclassify Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) like Rapid City and 140 other cities. Following the January OMB notice to increase the MSA qualification from 50,000 to 100,000 people, Johnson introduced the bipartisan, bicameral, Metropolitan Statistical Area Preservation Act, a bill to preserve more than 140 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) from losing their classification as an MSA.

“I’m glad OMB realized they made a mistake on reclassification efforts,” said Johnson. “More than 140 cities, most importantly Rapid City, would be severely impacted by losing their city status. If you’ve ever been to Rapid, you know it’s a robust, growing city – and it deserves the federally-backed programs that come with that classification.”

“This is a great day for Rapid City and other small cities across the nation. Rapid City faces the same issues that large metro areas face—economic development, infrastructure, workforce training and recruitment, amenities, housing—so keeping the MSA designation is just good policy. Rapid City’s population may say 80,000 on the sign, but its trade is really 175,000 to 200,000 or greater, given that it’s the central shopping and health care area for a five-state region,” said President of Elevate Rapid City Tom Johnson. “Representative Dusty Johnson gets this and understands that Rapid City has the potential to grow by tens of thousands of people in the next decade. He was a tireless champion for Rapid City and South Dakota on this issue, and the same is true for Senator Thune and Senator Rounds. It’s great to see all three of them once again bring some South Dakota common sense to D.C. and the federal bureaucracy that is the Office of Management and Budget.”

The Metropolitan Statistical Area Preservation Act is cosponsored by Reps. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Mike D. Rogers (AL-03), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Frank D. Lucas (OK-03), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), David Trone (MD-06), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Peter Meijer (MI-03), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Barry Moore (AL-02); Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Susan Wild (PA-07), and Steven M. Palazzo (MS-4).

Senator Thune led the Senate-companion of the Metropolitan Statistical Area Preservation Act. Additionally, in March, the South Dakota delegation urged OMB to reject this recommendation.

Governor Noem was briefed on a summary of an internal review conducted by the South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources that was prepared as part of an investigation following an anonymous complaint. A copy of the anonymous complaint can be found here.

In light of that internal review, a few moments ago, Governor Noem placed Secretary of Corrections Mike Leidholt and State Penitentiary Warden Darin Young on administrative leave.

“My top priority as governor is keeping South Dakotans safe, and that includes the men and women who work at the State Penitentiary and those who are confined there,” said Governor Noem.

The Governor announced that she will appoint Tim Reisch to serve as interim Secretary of Corrections.  Reisch retired in 2019 after eight years as Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard. From 2003 to 2011, Reisch served as Secretary of Corrections.  Prior to that time, he also served as Deputy Secretary of Corrections and as Miner County sheriff. His appointment is effective immediately.

Governor Noem also announced that Doug Clark, the Deputy Secretary of Corrections, is stepping in as acting warden of the State Penitentiary until a longer-term interim can be named.  The Governor has also assigned two members of her cabinet to work from the Penitentiary and assist Acting Warden Clark in addressing this internal review: Darin Seeley, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources (BHR); and Laurie Gill, the Secretary of Social Services and a former BHR Commissioner and Mayor of Pierre.

Governor Noem has instructed General Reisch, Acting Warden Clark, Secretary Gill, and Commissioner Seeley to take immediate action to address this internal review and to commission an independent third party to investigate the penitentiary and offer additional recommendations.

The South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) begins year two of the Junior Beef Ambassador program, a program giving area youth, ages 5 to 18, the opportunity to share their beef story.

The program has increased to 33 Junior Beef Ambassadors from across South Dakota. They will be assisting with various SDBIC promotion events and sharing photos and videos highlighting their ranch and what they do as South Dakota beef farmers and ranchers for consumer promotions on social media. They will also be sharing delicious beef recipes for everyone to try!

“Our youth are the future of this industry, and we want to prepare them and encourage them to be proud and eager to share their beef story and be willing to promote the beef product.” states Jr Beef Ambassador coordinator, Caitlin Wonnenberg. “We are so excited to have several of our 2020 Jr Beef Ambassadors back, as well as some new ones joining this year!”

The 2021/2022 Junior Beef Ambassadors are: Charles Barber, Jayne Blume, Barrett Butzer, Maggie DeMers, Hudson Fouberg, Ramsey Fouberg, Matea Gordon, Bailey Gjernes, Kaylin Gjernes, Josephine Hamiel, Kamden Hamiel, Bentlee Holt, Cambree Holt, Kolt J., Elliot J., Cashley King, Koyle King, Rylee Klein, Brooklyn Marshall, Natalie Marshall, Baylor Pazour, Jennings Pazour, Ladd Pazour, Ned Pazour, Scarlett Radke, Thorne Radke, Fidelia Rasmussen, Megan Sanders, Kaycee Scheel, Ella Stiefvater, Kingston Wulf, Madilyn Wulf and Treston Zens. These beef ambassadors come to the SDBIC program from across the state of South Dakota.

Junior Beef Ambassadors received beef educational training and collaborate with SDBIC staff on July 12, 2021 to create ideas to help tell their beef story and give them the opportunity to interact with consumers and help promote beef in their local communities and throughout the state of South Dakota.

Follow along all summer as we highlight and recognize these young leaders as they share their great beef stories!

The South Dakota Beef Industry Council works on behalf of South Dakota beef producers through the $1 Beef Checkoff program.

For more information on Beef Checkoff and statewide efforts visit www.sdbeef.org and www.MyBeefCheckoff.com or contact Suzy Geppert at sgeppert@sdbeef.org.

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Ranking Member of the Livestock & Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, issued a statement following President Biden’s Executive Order and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) announcement of a significant investment for regional cattle processer expansion efforts and overtime processing fees accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic. These announcements mirror two of Johnson’s bills, the Butcher Block Act and the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act. Johnson made an additional request to Secretary Vilsack in March to prioritize reducing inspection fees for small processors.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled that USDA is implementing the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act at $100 million,” said Johnson. “These USDA announcements are much-needed and frankly overdue for our cattle producers. Producers and members of Congress from cattle country have diligently pushed for a level playing field for small processors to diversify market options outside of the big four for a long time. Today’s announcements may not be the silver bullet to solve all of our problems, but they will certainly get us one step closer to a fairer cattle market.”

USDA announced its intent to provide $500 million in grants to expand meat and poultry processing capacity to restore balance in the meat market. In June, Johnson introduced the bipartisan Butcher Block Act which would establish a grant and loan program at USDA for new and expanding meat processors to drive competition within the packing industry. As USDA continues to finalize details of the program, Johnson will continue to push USDA to design a program that is scalable and can quickly add processing capacity while incentivizing producer investment. 

Additionally, USDA announced it would utilize $100 million for existing small and very small processing facilities facing financial burdens from steep overtime inspection fees during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, Johnson introduced the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief COVID-19 Act to support small meatpacking plants working overtime during COVID-19. The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) charges meatpacking plants overtime fees for food inspectors, and amid ongoing supply chain issues and increased demand during the pandemic, small processors filled in the gaps of large ones facing shutdowns. The Small Packer Overtime Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act would reduce this fee, encouraging smaller plants to remain open and prevent supply chain bottlenecks.

On Monday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) will address the Sioux Falls Rotary during their annual meeting. In the afternoon, Johnson will tour the Link Community Triage Center with Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken.

Sioux Falls Rotary

Monday, July 12; 11:30 AM CT

Holiday Inn

100 W 8^th Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57104

 Link Community Triage Center Tour

Monday, July 12; 3:00 PM CT

Link Community Triage Center

132 N Dakota Avenue

 Sioux Falls, SD 57104

South Dakota State University’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ADRDL) has partnered with Celemics, Inc. to create the first-ever hybridization-based next generation sequencing (NGS) kit to detect viral and bacterial swine respiratory pathogens.

Most current diagnostic technologies are based on culture or qPCR. These widely used methods come with a great amount of limitations in terms of detecting a wide range of pathogens. The new and proposed breakthrough technique can make it possible to detect several viral and bacterial pathogens at once.

Celemics Inc. is known for its innovative and ground-breaking research. It was the need of the hour to alter the paradigm of medicine for swine respiratory diagnosis and treatment. It is hoped that their much-welcomed partnership with South Dakota State University will bring revolutionary methods for early detection and cure to the industry.

Until this point in time, the genetic characterization, including whole genome sequence information for viral pathogens and multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST) analysis for bacterial pathogens, was attained through pathogen detection methods. This joint venture of research between the two reputed names has given them hope for improved overall herd health outcomes. The technology aims to overcome the shortfalls of modern diagnostics by enabling highly multiplexed detection and sequence characterization. Not only would this be more efficient but considerably cost-effective in comparison to the existing practices.

When asked about this promising prospect, Benjamin Hause, Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, shared:

“We are pleased to partner with Celemics on developing and bringing this exciting new technology to the swine industry,” “Celemics’ hybridization panel represents a large leap forward in our ability to detect and concurrently genetically characterize swine pathogens. While we focus on the most significant pathogens such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and influenza A virus, clinical disease is often the end result of co-infections with a number of viruses and bacteria. Celemics’ technology will enable comprehensive pathogen screening that will allow better herd management and improved swine health.”

The technology aims to overcome the shortfalls of modern diagnostics by enabling highly multiplexed detection and sequence characterization. Not only would this be more efficient but considerably cost-effective in comparison to the existing practices.

The kit results from years of remarkable research and comprises more than 50 different viral and bacterial swine pathogens. All of these sequences have been carefully chosen based on the study of patterns that are relevant to swine health and include domestically critical species such as the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and influenza A virus, along with foreign viruses such as African swine fever virus (ASFV) and foot and mouth disease virus.

“With this new partnership, we hope to provide clinicians, veterinarians, and livestock breeders with a powerful, comprehensive tool for swine disease detection and prevention,” said co-CEO and founder of Celemics, Dr. Hyoki Kim.

Through the advantages of hybridization NGS, we hope to provide a kit capable of revolutionizing clinical research and diagnostics and hope to effectively combat future swine disease epidemics.

About the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department

The South Dakota State University Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department provides veterinarians, animal owners, biologics companies (industry), public health departments, wildlife officials, and researchers answers to questions about animal and public health and supporting undergraduate and graduate student learning. Undergraduate students benefit by receiving an educational foundation through hands-on learning that makes them competitive applicants to colleges of veterinary medicine and other biomedical career opportunities. Graduate students sharpen professional development with the help of a wealth of scientists willing to partner with them in research. The South Dakota Animal Disease and Research Diagnostic Laboratory, within the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department on the SDSU campus, serve the state, region, and nation as a go-to source of diagnostic information on everything from livestock to pets to food safety zoonotic issues. Researchers work hard to solve essential problems that hinder animal and human health and well-being. The teachers and pre-veterinary advisors inspire and prepare students for careers in veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences. Outreach functions connect veterinarians and animal owners with the indispensable, non-biased information they need to ensure the health and productivity of food and companion animals.

About Celemics

Celemics is a Korea-based biomaterial technology leader that has developed a range of innovative biomaterials and sequencing methods for use in the medical, pharmaceutical, microbiome, synthetic biology, and breeding fields. Since its founding in 2010, the company has developed Massively Separated and Sequence Identified Cloning (MSSIC™), a highly efficient massive cloning technology that serves as a foundation technology for Celemics solutions. The company has also developed Barcode-Tagged Sequencing (BTSeq™), a novel sequencing methodology established as a high-quality alternative to Sanger sequencing, and TrueRepertoire™ aimed to help vaccine developers accelerate antibody excavation. Celemics is currently the only NGS-based Target Capture Kits manufacturer in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.