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Posted 07/30/2018
For immediate release:
July 30, 2018
For more information, contact:
Julie Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org
Blaine Northrop, NDSA deputy investigator: (701) 223-2522 • bnorthrop@ndstockmen.org
Steve Bay, NDSA west river fieldman: (701) 223-2522 • sbay@ndstockmen.org
North Dakota brand officials tapped for national leadership roles
Two North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) brand officials were tapped for national industry leadership roles this month.
NDSA Deputy Investigator Blaine Northrop of Dickinson, N.D., was named the president of the International Livestock Identification Association (ILIA) at the organization’s annual conference in Bend, Ore., July 15-18. The ILIA is an international trade organization dedicated to the promotion, administration and enforcement of livestock identification and inspection laws and provides a conduit for animal identification and agriculture professionals to share information and collaborate across member states and provinces.
Northrop began his career as an auction market brand inspector at the Dickinson, N.D., markets. He went on to be the inspector in charge there before being promoted as the NDSA’s west river fieldman and earning his North Dakota peace officer license. Later, he served as the chief brand inspector and agricultural enforcement superviser in Nevada. In 2017, he returned to North Dakota and assumed his current role.
NDSA West River Fieldman Steve Bay of Carson, N.D., was appointed as a director of the Western States Brand Conference at the group’s meeting in Bend, Ore., July 15-18, as well. The Brand Conference group is comprised of livestock investigators from across the western United States who collaborate to enforce the country’s livestock laws.
Before joining the NDSA team as the west river fieldman, a licensed peace officer position, Bay was the long-time Grant County sheriff and a local brand inspector.
“Congratulations are in order for Blaine Northrop and Steve Bay,” said NDSA Brand Board Chairman Jeff Schafer, a New Rockford, N.D., cattleman. “These achievements are indicative of their professionalism and dedication to the livestock industry and in justice being served.”
The NDSA administers the state’s brand inspection and recording programs. The organization has been committed to protecting livestock producers and their property since its inception in 1929, when it established a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those stealing cattle, horses and mules in North Dakota.
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