Why Cattle Farming Is Thriving In South Dakota Right Now

They say there are more cows than people in South Dakota — and if you look it up, it’s actually true!

It's not even close. According to my latest search, there are about 4 times more cattle than people. South Dakota has about 888,000 people and bout 3.5 million cattle. I've written about it before, you can check it out here! 

Cattle Farming In South Dakota: Trends And Insights

If you’re in Sioux Falls, that might sound hard to believe. But once you head west, even a couple of miles, you’ll see plenty of cattle all over the place. That number is a bit misleading. Experts say the cow herd is at its lowest level in years. Fewer cows equals higher prices, which is good news for producers who have stuck it out. That, paired with the fact that it just takes longer to raise a calf and get it to market, has created a boom for producers as well.

READ MORE: Inside the Rugged and Beautiful Life on a South Dakota Cattle Ranch [PHOTOS]

Over the weekend, I went out to check cows with my friend Dan, who lives near the Armour-Wagner area. The grass was tall and super green thanks to all the spring rain, and the cows looked happy and healthy. The calves looked great, too. Cattle in deep belly grass is an awesome sight to see!

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While we were out there, we talked about how beef prices are at record highs right now. That’s a big deal, especially since ranchers don’t always make much money, even though they work really hard. Lately, though, a lot of them are finally seeing some decent profits.

How about you? Been out checking cows lately? Maybe you live on a farm with cattle. If so, thanks for dinner! Because if we’re having burgers tonight, we’ve got you to thank.

Thank you for sharing this story with your neighbors. You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones who say Beef, it's what's for dinner!

How about you? Do you live on a farm or ranch? I'd love to hear what you think of recent prices and if they will hold.