News Archive
Posted 09/30/2023
For immediate release:
Sept. 30, 2023
For more information, contact:
Jason Leiseth, NDSA president: (701) 770-1129 • jpleiseth@gmail.com
Julie Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org
Elizabeth Neshem, NDSA communications director: (701) 833-1162 • eneshem@ndstockmen.org
Hauge presented with North Dakota Stockmen’s Association
honorary membership
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) recognized Jamie Hauge, a Carson, N.D., cattleman who has made significant contributions to the state’s beef industry, with its Honorary Membership Award during the organization’s annual convention in Watford City, N.D., this evening.
“Jamie is not only a well-respected and hardworking cattle producer and feeder, but a critical thinker and an effective problem-solver,” said NDSA President Jason Leiseth. “An analytical thinker, Jamie’s questions and perspective as an NDSA leader helped the organization tackle difficult issues and do what is best for the state’s cattle ranchers.”
Jamie and his brother Clair operate Blue Hill Ranch, a diversified livestock and crop operation in Grant County. They represent the fourth generation on the family’s operation, following in their parents’, Jim and Jody Hauge’s, footsteps.
Blue Hill Ranch is comprised of commercial and registered cow-calf herds, a backgrounding feedlot and a cropping mix including corn, wheat, peas, sunflowers and alfalfa. Jamie’s focus is on the operation’s livestock enterprises.
“From a young age, cattle have been my whole life,” Jamie said. “Over the years, time spent outside with the livestock and the land, as well as individuals like my father, instilled a love for agriculture in me.” As much as Jamie enjoys cattle, improving the environment, grass and making the land better than it was before is another passion of his. “If we take care of the land, it will reward us,” he said.
Following high school, Hauge interned at Jorgenson Land & Cattle in Ideal, S.D. “I got up every morning to check cows early before I went into the house for breakfast,” said Jamie. “During breakfast, Martin Jorgenson would give me life lessons on marketing Angus cattle. He really gave me my love for Angus cattle and my time spent their living and learning impacted the way I do business today.”
Jamie went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from North Dakota State University and then spent five years working in Nebraska before returning to the family operation.
“When I returned home, my parents encouraged me to get involved in the livestock industry and service,” said Jamie, noting they have been service-minded throughout their entire lives. “They recommended I begin attending NDSA Feeder Council meetings,” he recalled. “It was great for me as an individual to learn from others.” From there, Jamie’s NDSA involvement grew. He served two terms on the NDSA Board of Directors from 2013 to 2021. He also served on the organization’s budget committee, planned and hosted a Spring Roundup and attended the Feedlot Tour and Beyond the Bunk Workshops. He also served as the chairman of the NDSA Feeder Council and Brand Board. With a focus on increased efficiencies, he instigated the organization’s move to an electronic brand inspection system. He also was the state representative on a national working group focused on strategies to improve price discovery and transparency.
“I never dreamed being on the NDSA Board of Directors would open up so many doors and create so many friendships,” he said.
Jamie explained his leadership methodology like this: “Every decision I made was to help my neighbors and further the livestock industry for the next generation. We need to all be doing this together – all as one.”
Throughout Hauge’s time involved in the NDSA and the industry, he said there are the individuals who he has known that have done great things. “As I have aged, I have met many incredible people.” Longtime cattle feeder and entrepreneur Tom Bresnahan of Casselton, N.D., is one Jamie considers a mentor. “Tom taught me a lot about cattle marketing and a lot about life,” he explained.
Jamie encourages those getting involved in the beef industry and representing the next generation of cattle producers to align themselves with intelligent people with high integrity and to learn as much as they can from them.
Jamie and his wife Deb have three children, Jacy (Grant) Schafer, Grant and Hayden. “My drive has changed over the last 20 years,” said Jamie. “Today, my goal is to not only to do what I love, but to do what is right and everything for the Kingdom of God. There’s a lot to our industry and our lives, but I like to remember that it’s God’s work and beauty and what we do every day is a stepping stone to our future.”
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