BROOKINGS, S.D. (WNAX) – The latest Census of Agriculture shows the numbers of farms in South Dakota dropped by two thousand from 2012 to 2017.

SDSU Extension Ag Economist and Risk Business Management Specialist Matt (deer-sun) Diersen says the loss of farms and larger operations is following a national trend.

The Ag Census shows the biggest drop in farms in South Dakota from 2012 to 2017 of 1,850 were in smaller operations, those between 10 and 1,000 acres. Diersen says it’s difficult to say what caused that type of loss.

He says all sectors of agricultural are currently facing a financial pinch and there’s not a lot of good news out there.

Diersen advises producers to keep talking to their lenders and try to stay out in front of any problems they may have before they get worse.