Agriculture is literally the heartbeat of South Dakota. Parts of that heartbeat are the factories and workers that keep the big iron rolling off the assembly line so our farmer friends can till their fields and bring in the harvest. Part of 'that supply chain' is being interrupted with a strike of seven John Deere plants in Iowa. According to CBS2;

More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday at midnight after “the company failed to present an agreement that met our members’ demands and needs,” The United Auto Workers union said in a statement.

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According to the report, it's been nearly 35 years since the makers of the green went on strike. The report went on to say, workers decided to ask for more from the company after working long hours through the pandemic and many other companies facing worker shortages.

One can't help but wonder what effect this strike will have. According to the report John Deere reported record earnings of nearly $6 billion for the past two years plus strong sales for 2021.

The crops are coming in here in South Dakota and throughout the midwest. You can bet that while the harvest is on, producers will be keeping an eye on the strike and its result. Depending on a potential agreement and the outcome, there could be a strong ripple effect that could come in the future.

Here's hoping for a safe 'uneventful harvest for you and your family if you are bringing in the crops right now. And thank you for sharing this story with your farmer friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.

Life on a Cattle Ranch in Western South Dakota

Life is different out in the country. One look at the photo from Robin Bickel and you quickly realize that a workday is quite different as well, after all, she lives out west in South Dakota Cattle Country.

Robin Bickel took time to tell KIKN Country a little bit about her life out west and life as a woman, working outdoors with animals and nature in God's Country. Bickel lives and works on a cattle ranch operated by herself, her father, Jack, and his brother Keith. How far out in the country is she? How does 50 miles west of Mobridge, South Dakota sound? Yep, mountain time out there.

Life is so different in Sioux Falls, South Dakota compared to what our friends on the farm and ranches deal with. It's a half-mile to the grocery store for our family. For Robin, it's 17 miles. However, it's a quick step out her door and she's right in the middle of where a lot of the groceries come from.


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