Compared to 2018, it’s been a better year for South Dakota cattle producers. South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Executive Director James Halverson says while there were some minor delays, western South Dakota is looking at a bumper hay crop. The current problem is getting that hay hauled home. “You hate to cuss the moisture, but we’ve got to get hay and the crops out of these fields.” Livestock auction barns are in the heart of the fall run of cattle. Halverson says while prices have come up lately, cattle producers were hoping for higher. This was a point of discussion during the Stockgrowers annual meeting held Thursday through Saturday in Rapid City. “A lot of the sales are two or three days sales running 10,000 head a week. Prices are down from last year at this time. There are a ton of factors influencing them right now.” Hear the story.