Canadian agri-tech investment expands in South Dakota

CBS Bio Platforms, a Calgary-based leader in animal feed innovation, has expanded its U.S. presence with a new production facility in Volga, South Dakota. This investment strengthens Canada–U.S. agricultural ties by delivering science-backed, sustainable solutions that lower antibiotic use, enhance productivity, and reduce carbon emissions for farmers and ranchers.

Volga was chosen for its proximity to CBS’s North American customer base and a strategic partnership with South Dakota State University, making it an ideal location for the company’s U.S. headquarters.

This expansion creates local jobs and reinforces the role of Canadian investment in advancing U.S. agriculture, sustainability, and food security.

Powering new possibilities
through wind

Wind power is a growing industry in North America, adding jobs to communities in both Canada and the United States. Wind turbines, or towers, collect and convert the kinetic energy that wind produces into electricity, which is then sent through transmission and distribution lines to help power the energy grid. With a manufacturing plant in Brandon, South Dakota, Québec-based Marmen is one of the largest manufacturers of these wind towers in North America. Marmen Energy’s plant in Brandon, which employs more than 200 South Dakotans, recently marked its eleventh year of operation.

This partnership highlights the benefits of Canada–U.S. economic partnership that creates local jobs, supports manufacturing in South Dakota, and makes progress on energy security.

Military readiness while serving community

For more than a decade, Canadian soldiers joined the South Dakota National Guard’s Operation GOLDEN COYOTE, an annual military readiness and community service exercise.

More than 535 Canadian service members helped South Dakota Guardsmen and women by repairing bridges and other infrastructure, clearing trees and installing culverts to mitigate flood and fire risks, and providing resources to the nine federally recognized Native Nations who share geography with South Dakota.

These projects improved local infrastructure and safety while giving troops real-world engineering experience — and demonstrating the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitments to readiness and cooperation with American partners.

South Dakota exports $846 million in goods to Canada annually
South Dakota exports to Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 64%
• Equipment & machinery: 16%
• Minerals & metals: 3%
• Plastics & rubbers: 3%
• Transportation: 10%
• Other: 4%

Top South Dakota goods exports to Canada

• Beverages & alcohol: $343 million
• Animal feed & food industry residues: $114 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $27 million
• Compressors & pumps: $25 million
• Animal or vegetable fats, oils & waxes: $23 million
• Animal meats: $20 million
• Motor vehicle parts: $19 million
• Hoists, derricks & lifting equipment: $18 million
• Agricultural machinery: $15 million
• Live animals: $14 million

South Dakota exports $203 million in services to Canada annually
Top South Dakota services exports to Canada

• Financial services: $113 million
• Travel (including for education): $38 million
• Transport: $20 million
• Business services: $10 million
• Maintenance & repair services: $7 million

South Dakota imports $554 million in goods from Canada annually
South Dakota imports from Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 20%
• Chemicals: 12%
• Equipment & machinery: 28%
• Forest products: 11%
• Minerals & metals: 9%
• Plastics & rubbers: 5%
• Transportation: 6%
• Other: 9%

Top South Dakota goods imports from Canada

• Live animals: $66 million
• Fertilizers: $64 million
• Agricultural machinery: $35 million
• Softwood lumber: $29 million
• Aluminum & aluminum articles: $23 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $21 million
• Wood & semi-finished wood products: $19 million
• Hoists, derricks & lifting equipment: $15 million
• Engines & turbines: $12 million
• Heating, cooling & refrigeration equipment: $12 million