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2010 South Dakota Stockgrowers convention and tradeshow held

Photo by Doug HoganSouth Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) president, Kenny Fox from Belvidere, SD, along with SDSGA Executive Director Margaret Nachtigall of Rapid City, SD, and Bill Bullard, Chief Executive officer of Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA). Bullard, from Billings, MT, has held this position since 2001.

South Dakota Stockgrowers hosted their annual convention and trade show Sept. 9-10 at the new Comfort Suites and Convention center in Rapid City, SD.

The dinner for the past presidents kicks-off of the convention. Past presidents and spouses were invited to prime rib dinner as guests of the present Board of Directors.

The meat and potatoes of the convention began on Thursday morning with the opening ceremony conducted by the Rapid City Central High School Color Guard under the direction of Major Connelly.



Stockgrowers’ President Kenny Fox, Belvidere, SD, said he was “impressed with this year’s speakers who further educated us on the important issues we face in the cattle industry today”.

Morning speakers started off with Craig Shaver, Sturgis, SD, director and chairman of the Property Rights Committee. Shaver was joined by Anita Lee, a Hereford, SD-rancher. The two presented objections and information on the proposed Ellsworth Air Force Training Expansion and explained the problems for ranchers in that area. Shaver’s committee was followed by the Brand & Theft committee who held a business and informational meeting in lieu of hiring a speaker.



Other speakers and informational meetings of the day included Chuck Berdan, Belle Fourche, SD, with the BLM Land & Wildlife Program who gave a presentation on the Sage Grouse and answered questions from many of the convention attendees. Also included in Thursday’s meetings was information from Blair Dunn, General Counsel, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, on legal issues regarding wilderness areas and relative subjects. This was of special interest to local residents due to the proposed Wilderness Area in Western South Dakota.

The luncheon program on Thursday brought a full house of ranchers, business folks and news media as the Stockgrowers produced a forum which allowed voters to ask direct questions of the U.S. House of Representatives candidate Kristi Noem and gubernatorial candidates Dennis Daugaard and Scott Heidepriem. Chase Adams, newscaster for KBHB radio, Sturgis, SD, moderated questions posed by the audience.

Speaker Bill Bullard CEO R-CALF USA spoke to the Marketing Committee on Thursday and also was the featured keynote speaker at the Recognition Banquet Friday night. Bullard brought to light facts regarding beef demand as it relates to producer prices and also import versus export markets.

Reverend David Ostendorf, Executive Director for Center for New Community based in Chicago, IL, was an impressive “Support rural America Banquet” keynote speaker for Thursday night. Reverend Ostendorf spoke on the subject of labor as it relates to the packing industry. Reverend Ostendorf also brought the Stockgrowers some inspirational thoughts at Friday morning’s breakfast.

Fox said “If you missed this convention, you missed a good one!” He mentioned several speakers including Mike Callicrate who spoke on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the control that big retailers, multinational corporation and many of the big box stores have over producers and consumers.

Ranchers had a chance to hear Brad Redlin, National Agricultural Program Director for the Izaak Walton League, present information regarding the Sod-Saver Bill and other areas of interest to grass land producers. And to vary the subjects of interest, ranchers had a chance to listen to and to visit with Randall McKee, a nationally-known and respected estate planner from Rapid City, SD, regarding his “Estate Planner In A Box.”

Fox stated: “Another interesting speaker is State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven who brought us up-to-date on various livestock diseases and also on the present state of the Animal Disease Traceability System which will replace the now defunct NAIS.”

The Ag and Natural Resources Committee brought Rick Vallery, Fort Pierre, SD, to the podium who provided information on water quality standards, as ranchers deal with runoff and other areas of contamination, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stand in these areas.

According to Stockgrowers’ Vice President Shane Kolb, Meadow, SD, the convention was not all information and studies. He said “We always have an ice cream social with ice cream donated and served by SDSU. Each person then takes their bowl of ice cream and visits each of the vendor booths in search of their favorite topping. Some of the sundaes get pretty big with everything from bananas to chocolate syrup and everything in between. Other fun things involve a silent auction and a live auction.

“Both of these auctions provide funds for the Stockgrowers and are enjoyed by everyone. We want to thank our auctioneer, Frank Bloom, from Rapid City and Scenic, SD, for doing a great job of selling and helping everyone have a fun evening.”

Fox said “It was a great annual convention and we would like to thank everyone who helped, including vendors, banner sponsors, auction donations, hotel and meal time help and many, many more.”

South Dakota Stockgrowers hosted their annual convention and trade show Sept. 9-10 at the new Comfort Suites and Convention center in Rapid City, SD.

The dinner for the past presidents kicks-off of the convention. Past presidents and spouses were invited to prime rib dinner as guests of the present Board of Directors.

The meat and potatoes of the convention began on Thursday morning with the opening ceremony conducted by the Rapid City Central High School Color Guard under the direction of Major Connelly.

Stockgrowers’ President Kenny Fox, Belvidere, SD, said he was “impressed with this year’s speakers who further educated us on the important issues we face in the cattle industry today”.

Morning speakers started off with Craig Shaver, Sturgis, SD, director and chairman of the Property Rights Committee. Shaver was joined by Anita Lee, a Hereford, SD-rancher. The two presented objections and information on the proposed Ellsworth Air Force Training Expansion and explained the problems for ranchers in that area. Shaver’s committee was followed by the Brand & Theft committee who held a business and informational meeting in lieu of hiring a speaker.

Other speakers and informational meetings of the day included Chuck Berdan, Belle Fourche, SD, with the BLM Land & Wildlife Program who gave a presentation on the Sage Grouse and answered questions from many of the convention attendees. Also included in Thursday’s meetings was information from Blair Dunn, General Counsel, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, on legal issues regarding wilderness areas and relative subjects. This was of special interest to local residents due to the proposed Wilderness Area in Western South Dakota.

The luncheon program on Thursday brought a full house of ranchers, business folks and news media as the Stockgrowers produced a forum which allowed voters to ask direct questions of the U.S. House of Representatives candidate Kristi Noem and gubernatorial candidates Dennis Daugaard and Scott Heidepriem. Chase Adams, newscaster for KBHB radio, Sturgis, SD, moderated questions posed by the audience.

Speaker Bill Bullard CEO R-CALF USA spoke to the Marketing Committee on Thursday and also was the featured keynote speaker at the Recognition Banquet Friday night. Bullard brought to light facts regarding beef demand as it relates to producer prices and also import versus export markets.

Reverend David Ostendorf, Executive Director for Center for New Community based in Chicago, IL, was an impressive “Support rural America Banquet” keynote speaker for Thursday night. Reverend Ostendorf spoke on the subject of labor as it relates to the packing industry. Reverend Ostendorf also brought the Stockgrowers some inspirational thoughts at Friday morning’s breakfast.

Fox said “If you missed this convention, you missed a good one!” He mentioned several speakers including Mike Callicrate who spoke on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the control that big retailers, multinational corporation and many of the big box stores have over producers and consumers.

Ranchers had a chance to hear Brad Redlin, National Agricultural Program Director for the Izaak Walton League, present information regarding the Sod-Saver Bill and other areas of interest to grass land producers. And to vary the subjects of interest, ranchers had a chance to listen to and to visit with Randall McKee, a nationally-known and respected estate planner from Rapid City, SD, regarding his “Estate Planner In A Box.”

Fox stated: “Another interesting speaker is State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven who brought us up-to-date on various livestock diseases and also on the present state of the Animal Disease Traceability System which will replace the now defunct NAIS.”

The Ag and Natural Resources Committee brought Rick Vallery, Fort Pierre, SD, to the podium who provided information on water quality standards, as ranchers deal with runoff and other areas of contamination, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stand in these areas.

According to Stockgrowers’ Vice President Shane Kolb, Meadow, SD, the convention was not all information and studies. He said “We always have an ice cream social with ice cream donated and served by SDSU. Each person then takes their bowl of ice cream and visits each of the vendor booths in search of their favorite topping. Some of the sundaes get pretty big with everything from bananas to chocolate syrup and everything in between. Other fun things involve a silent auction and a live auction.

“Both of these auctions provide funds for the Stockgrowers and are enjoyed by everyone. We want to thank our auctioneer, Frank Bloom, from Rapid City and Scenic, SD, for doing a great job of selling and helping everyone have a fun evening.”

Fox said “It was a great annual convention and we would like to thank everyone who helped, including vendors, banner sponsors, auction donations, hotel and meal time help and many, many more.”

South Dakota Stockgrowers hosted their annual convention and trade show Sept. 9-10 at the new Comfort Suites and Convention center in Rapid City, SD.

The dinner for the past presidents kicks-off of the convention. Past presidents and spouses were invited to prime rib dinner as guests of the present Board of Directors.

The meat and potatoes of the convention began on Thursday morning with the opening ceremony conducted by the Rapid City Central High School Color Guard under the direction of Major Connelly.

Stockgrowers’ President Kenny Fox, Belvidere, SD, said he was “impressed with this year’s speakers who further educated us on the important issues we face in the cattle industry today”.

Morning speakers started off with Craig Shaver, Sturgis, SD, director and chairman of the Property Rights Committee. Shaver was joined by Anita Lee, a Hereford, SD-rancher. The two presented objections and information on the proposed Ellsworth Air Force Training Expansion and explained the problems for ranchers in that area. Shaver’s committee was followed by the Brand & Theft committee who held a business and informational meeting in lieu of hiring a speaker.

Other speakers and informational meetings of the day included Chuck Berdan, Belle Fourche, SD, with the BLM Land & Wildlife Program who gave a presentation on the Sage Grouse and answered questions from many of the convention attendees. Also included in Thursday’s meetings was information from Blair Dunn, General Counsel, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, on legal issues regarding wilderness areas and relative subjects. This was of special interest to local residents due to the proposed Wilderness Area in Western South Dakota.

The luncheon program on Thursday brought a full house of ranchers, business folks and news media as the Stockgrowers produced a forum which allowed voters to ask direct questions of the U.S. House of Representatives candidate Kristi Noem and gubernatorial candidates Dennis Daugaard and Scott Heidepriem. Chase Adams, newscaster for KBHB radio, Sturgis, SD, moderated questions posed by the audience.

Speaker Bill Bullard CEO R-CALF USA spoke to the Marketing Committee on Thursday and also was the featured keynote speaker at the Recognition Banquet Friday night. Bullard brought to light facts regarding beef demand as it relates to producer prices and also import versus export markets.

Reverend David Ostendorf, Executive Director for Center for New Community based in Chicago, IL, was an impressive “Support rural America Banquet” keynote speaker for Thursday night. Reverend Ostendorf spoke on the subject of labor as it relates to the packing industry. Reverend Ostendorf also brought the Stockgrowers some inspirational thoughts at Friday morning’s breakfast.

Fox said “If you missed this convention, you missed a good one!” He mentioned several speakers including Mike Callicrate who spoke on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the control that big retailers, multinational corporation and many of the big box stores have over producers and consumers.

Ranchers had a chance to hear Brad Redlin, National Agricultural Program Director for the Izaak Walton League, present information regarding the Sod-Saver Bill and other areas of interest to grass land producers. And to vary the subjects of interest, ranchers had a chance to listen to and to visit with Randall McKee, a nationally-known and respected estate planner from Rapid City, SD, regarding his “Estate Planner In A Box.”

Fox stated: “Another interesting speaker is State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven who brought us up-to-date on various livestock diseases and also on the present state of the Animal Disease Traceability System which will replace the now defunct NAIS.”

The Ag and Natural Resources Committee brought Rick Vallery, Fort Pierre, SD, to the podium who provided information on water quality standards, as ranchers deal with runoff and other areas of contamination, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stand in these areas.

According to Stockgrowers’ Vice President Shane Kolb, Meadow, SD, the convention was not all information and studies. He said “We always have an ice cream social with ice cream donated and served by SDSU. Each person then takes their bowl of ice cream and visits each of the vendor booths in search of their favorite topping. Some of the sundaes get pretty big with everything from bananas to chocolate syrup and everything in between. Other fun things involve a silent auction and a live auction.

“Both of these auctions provide funds for the Stockgrowers and are enjoyed by everyone. We want to thank our auctioneer, Frank Bloom, from Rapid City and Scenic, SD, for doing a great job of selling and helping everyone have a fun evening.”

Fox said “It was a great annual convention and we would like to thank everyone who helped, including vendors, banner sponsors, auction donations, hotel and meal time help and many, many more.”