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his money away. He said he still has close to $1 billion.
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South Dakota harvest progress near average
• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota's soybean, corn and sorghum harvest is about where it normally is this time of year, despite the recent rain and snow in some parts.
• The National Agricultural Statistics Service says the soybean harvest is around 97 percent complete. Roughly 79 percent of the corn crop is out of the field. And the sorghum harvest is about 81 percent complete.
• All three crops were out of the field by this time last year.
• The sunflower harvest is about 52 percent complete, well behind average.
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SD legislative panel OKs proposed raw milk rules
CHET BROKAW, Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A South Dakota Legislative panel on Tuesday approved proposed state rules covering the production, testing and labeling of raw milk sold in the state, but members of the committee suggested that the state Agriculture Department delay enforcement of the rules so the entire Legislature can discuss the regulations that are adamantly opposed by raw milk producers and their customers.
• Rep. Timothy Johns, R-Lead, a member of the committee, said the issue is certain to arise early in the legislative session that opens in January, so it would make sense to delay the rules' effect until the full Legislature re-examines state policy on raw milk.
• Agriculture Department officials said they will not decide whether to delay the rules until someone files an official request to do so.
• Department officials contend the rules are necessary to ensure the safety of raw milk sold in the state, but raw milk producers and their customers argue the product is already safe and the new rules would impose too many restrictions.
• The Agriculture Department has been trying to pass the rules since last spring and has held three hearings on the issue.
• Members of the Legislature's Rules Review Committee, which has the final say on state agency rules, said their vote Tuesday does not necessarily indicate approval of the rules' content but merely finds that the department followed proper procedures in adopting them.
• The legislative committee rejected the rules in August, asking the department to get more information on how they would financially affect farmers who produce raw (Continued on page 29)
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