Attendees of the 75th annual South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA) convention can expect to see a few new events.
The SDCA convention and trade show takes place Nov. 28 and 29 at the Watertown Event Center and Ramkota Hotel.
The event brings together South Dakota beef producers and other industry professionals for educational opportunities, policy discussion and development, networking, and even a little bit of fun.
The SDCA convention is where issues that affect the industry are debated and discussed as well as where policy is set for the year.
SDCA president Eric Jennings anticipates eminent domain to be a key issue addressed.
“A lot of eastern South Dakota members have been dealing with that with the Navigator and Summit (Carbon Solutions) pipelines. I’m sure that we will want to look at our policy on that and maybe update that a little bit,” Jennings said.
Jennings said SDCA doesn’t have much policy on pipelines, and the little it does have centers on fossil fuels rather than gas.
Estate tax is another key issue. “The federal government has been spending a lot of money and they’re going to be looking for some income, so we need to be very diligent about protecting our interest on estate tax,” Jennings said.
Jennings anticipates discussions on other issues as well, including product labeling, environmental issues, traceability and check off issues.
Leadership also plans on going over programs available to producers such as carbon sequestration and conservation measures and practices.
The Cattlemen’s Education Series, sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The first panel features agriculture industry leaders and partners within South Dakota’s academic institutions working together on innovative advancements with industry businesses. Panelists include those who will speak to Dakota State University working with Case New Holland, South Dakota State University working with AgSpire and Western Dakota Technical College working with Wall Meats.
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A second panel focused on helping producers build their business will take place Wednesday afternoon. The panel will be moderated by Don Schiefelbein, past president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and owner and operator of Schiefelbein Farms in Minnesota. The panel will feature Kyle Peters of A1 Development; Kiera Leddy, agriculture attorney at Siegel, Barnett & Schutz; Alan Hojer, manager and legacy consultant of “Keep Farmers Farming” a division of First Dakota National Bank; and Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension livestock field specialist.
Wednesday’s luncheon keynote speaker, sponsored by First Dakota National Bank, will be Glen Newcomer. An Ohio native, Glen oversees seven business entities that make up Newcomer Farms. Newcomer will share his story about how a near fatal accident inspired him to create a unique business advisory board made up of professional people outside of the beef industry.
Along with discussions surrounding policy and procedure, Jennings said the organization is trying to mix things up a bit this year.
Starting Tuesday evening, during the Best of Beef Happy Hour there will be a roping contest.
“We’re going to put a rope in everybody’s hands,” Jennings said.
The roping contest will be more interactive than the plastic steer head on a straw bale that many often use for roping practice.
A chute will open via air propulsion and a dummy steer will pop out and slide across the floor, making it a moving target just like in real roping. Participants will be in teams, one header and one healer, just like in real team roping events, Jennings said.
Jennings said he’s done an event like this before and it goes over really well, even if people might be intimidated at first.
“If they throw a few loops and then get their friends to do it, then everybody wants to take a turn,” he said.
Trade show attendees will also see something new. This year, SDCA will hold three 20 minute talks, similar to TED Talks, about issues that touch their industry. Second Century Habitat will be discussing the way the group works to educate landowners on the importance of grasslands in improving pheasant habitat in South Dakota. An insurance company will discuss how to navigate the cattle market and price protection. There will also be a discussion on marketing and branding, which has grown in importance as more producers offer direct-to-consumer sales. Branding products and working in a digital atmosphere will be a particular highlight.
“I think that’s very important for people to get a grasp on being able to promote their product a little better,” Jennings said.
The event winds down on Wednesday evening with the Cattlemen’s Banquet, President’s Auction, and Leopold Conservation Award presentation. Slovek Ranch of Philip was the South Dakota winner this year.
As this will be the 75th annual convention, SDCA is encouraging attendees to send in photos as part of the celebration. Photos can include ranch life, South Dakota’s ag industry, past SDCA leadership and evenings or SDCA membership working on behalf of the ag industry over the years.
Photos can be submitted online or emailed to office@sdcattlemen.org.
Melisa Goss, Assistant Editor for the Tri-State Neighbor, is a South Dakota farm girl whose love of travel has allowed her to see ag’s vital impact around the world, from America’s heartland to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia and many places in between. She makes her home in Hartford with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can reach her at mgoss@lee.net.