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Commission to revisit resolution opposing mandatory USDA electronic livestock ID; discussion continued to Feb. 4
Summary
After public testimony for and against USDA electronic identification tags, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners agreed Jan. 7 to continue work on a local resolution opposing mandatory eID tags and to reconvene with a redraft on Feb. 4, 2025.
Pennington County commissioners on Jan. 7 agreed to continue consideration of a proposed resolution opposing a USDA rule that would require electronic identification tags (EIDs) for livestock, giving commissioners time to refine the language and gather more input.
Commissioners noted that many producers do not object to tags themselves but to a federal mandate without funding and with potential burdens on small producers. Commissioner Gary Drews moved to continue the item to the board's Feb. 4 meeting; the motion was seconded and passed.
Public testimony at the Jan. 7 meeting illustrated the split within the ranching community: Britton Blair of Sturgis told the commission she uses EID tags personally and finds them efficient for shipping cattle; she said tags can speed handling. By contrast, Florence Thompson, representing South Dakota Citizens for Liberty and speaking also as a R-CALF and Stock Growers member, described broader objections, saying digital tagging can be used for control and citing experiences in Europe. Travis Lassiter, a rancher and former commissioner, told the board a lawsuit was already filed in U.S. District Court in South Dakota seeking to vacate the final rule and asked the county to support independent producers.
Commissioners and county staff also referenced outreach to state legislators: the meeting record includes a comment that U.S. Senator Mike Rounds' office has taken a position opposing the federal mandate. Highway Superintendent Joe Miller told the board the county has applied for and used the rural access infrastructure funding and warned that a proposed change to fold the bridal access infrastructure fund into local road-and-bridge funding (as requested by the towns and townships association) could reduce Pennington County's share.
Why it matters: The USDA rule affects livestock movement and traceability; local producers who cross state lines for fairs or slaughter may face new tag requirements and costs. Commissioners said they want county-specific language that opposes a mandatory federal requirement without funding and that clarifies the county's position.
Next steps: Commissioners directed staff and interested commissioners to redraft the proposal and work with local stakeholders; the item will return to the Jan. 4 meeting (Feb. 4, 2025 on the calendar) for possible adoption or further amendment.
Speakers quoted in this article spoke in the Jan. 7 meeting public comment and during the item discussion.
