• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture says nitrogen was applied to 88 percent of South Dakota's 150,000 sorghum acres in 2011.
• The USDA's Agriculture Chemical Usage report says that only two states applied nitrogen at lower rates than South Dakota.
• The state averaged 1.4 applications per acre treated, at a rate of 47 pounds per acre. Phosphate was applied to 45 percent of the sorghum acreage, averaging one application per acre at a rate of 28 pounds per acre.
• Herbicide was applied on 89 percent of the 2011 sorghum acreage. The USDA

says the most widely used herbicides were Glyphosate isopropylamine salt, Atrazine, S-metolachlor and Dimethenamid-P.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A South Dakota legislative committee has approved the state Health Department's plan for a revamped program that will help recruit health care professionals to rural communities.
• The program was approved by the Legislature earlier this year. The Legislature's Rules Review Committee has now endorsed the state Health Department's rules for operating the program.
• Nurses, pharmacists and others get an incentive payment of $10,000 if they agree to practice for at least three years in a rural hospital, nursing home or other facility taking part in the program.
• In communities with populations of less than 2,500, the state will pay 75 percent of the incentive while the facility pays the other 25 percent. In communities with populations ranging from 2,500 to 10,000, the state and the facility will each pay half.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Democratic U.S. House candidate Matt Varilek (VEHR'-uh-lehk) says the next farm bill should be designed to help family farmers and ranchers.
• Varilek is challenging Republican Rep. Kristi Noem for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House. He says farm programs should include caps on payments so assistance goes to family farms instead of wealthy operations.
• Varilek says the farm bill should give producers a strong but fiscally responsible

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