the houdek soil is of major economic importance to south dakota because it is often used as to grow small grain, corn, sunflowers, and soybeans. south dakota is well known as an agricultural state with an area of 77, 047 square miles and it has a population density of nine persons per square mile. cash receipts from farming and ranching normally exceeds $3 billion each year. on the average, south dakota is recognized nationally in the top ten for corn, soybeans, spring wheat, oat, alfalfa hay, all hay, grain sorghum, sunflower seed, barley, rye, and flaxseed production. with such soil fertile soil comes premium forage for livestock which is why south dakota also comes in top ten for beef, sheep, hog, and honey production. houdek loam soil is the foundation of life and the economic base for south dakota. houdek loam is a symbol that can help increase public awareness and importance of south dakota’s soil resources.