This report documents the major changes that have occurred in South--Dakota and U.S. farm sector debt structure and debt servicing ability from 1969 - 1989. South Dakota and U.S. agricultural debt trends are presented and evaluated for two contrasting time periods: (1) 1969 - 1983 period characterized by rapid increases in agricultural debt and interest payments; and (2) 1983 - 1989 period of declining levels of agricultural debt and interest payments. Trends in farm real estate debt and nonreal estate farm debt levels and changing market shares of agricultural lenders are presented. Finally, several indicators are used to evaluate the debt servicing ability of South Dakota's agricultural sector. The implications of these financial trends in the South Dakota and U.S. farm economy are discussed.