Tuesday,  June 10, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 327 • 13 of 34

News from the

Pheasants Forever opening SD office in Brookings

• BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) -- Pheasants Forever is setting up its first office in South Dakota in response to a sharp drop in bird numbers.
• Longtime vice president of governmental affairs Dave Nomsen will move to Brookings in July and be the group's point person in the state.
• The nonprofit organization that encourages the development of habitat has 32 chapters and about 6,000 members in South Dakota.
• Pheasants Forever says it's increasing its efforts to address substantial habitat losses and land use changes in the state.

Wet, cool weather helps soil moisture

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Wet, cool conditions across South Dakota this past week left just 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork, but the rain helped soil moisture.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture says topsoil moisture supplies are rated 5 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies are rated 9 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.
• The corn crop is 91 percent emerged and rated 2 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 80 percent good and 8 percent excellent.
• Soybeans are 93 percent planted, ahead of last year and the five-year average. The crop is 75 percent emerged, well ahead of last year and the average. Soybean condition is rated 22 fair percent, 66 good percent and 12 percent excellent.

SD panel begins study on alcohol policies

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Legislature's Alcohol Study Committee will meet for the first time Tuesday to review alcohol distribution policies in and beyond the state.
• Legislative summer studies often result in proposed legislation. This study was selected by lawmakers after a 2014 bill failed that would have allowed direct shipping of wine to customers.
• Watertown Republican Roger Solum chairs the committee that will meet throughout the summer.
• It will examine the three-tier system of alcohol sales that includes producers,

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