South Dakota Raises Livestock Inspection Fee | Pierre News

South Dakota’s Brand Board is raising livestock inspection fees for the first time in over a decade—jumping from zero to $1.45 per head, effective October 1, 2026—to cover soaring operational costs. The fee hike, approved by lawmakers, aims to fund critical staff and inspections that track animal ownership in the state’s western regions, helping prevent theft. With $900,000 already borrowed from other programs over two years, the board projects $601,000 in new revenue this fiscal year and $675,000 annually thereafter. While some ranchers question the move amid financial strain, officials say it’s a compromise within legal limits and essential to maintaining the 12 full-time and 129 part-time inspectors needed to keep the system running. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a8b60afe4ef7959b