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Posted 09/05/2025
For immediate release: Sept. 5, 2025
For more information, contact:
Julie Schaff Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org
Randy Schmitt, NDSA president: (701) 537-3440 • schmittranch@hotmail.com
North Dakota Stockmen’s Association to host
96th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Minot
North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) members will be setting the organization’s direction, celebrating achievements, learning from industry experts and selecting new leaders during its 96th Annual Convention & Trade Show, “Think Big, Achieve More,” Sept. 24-26 at the Grand Hotel in Minot, N.D. The event will feature an educational workshop, informational speakers, policy-development sessions, networking and fun.
Here’s a preview of the schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 24
The convention begins Wednesday at 9 a.m. with an 18-Hole Golf Scramble and Hole-in-One Contest at the Souris Valley Golf Course in Minot. Golfers can enter by contacting Scott Ressler, the Golf Scramble chairman, at (701) 223-2522 or sressler@ndstockmen.org.
The NDSA Board of Directors will be gathering for its quarterly meeting at the Grand Hotel at 9:30 a.m. Registration also begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. that day.
The opening business session will follow at 1 p.m. Attendees will hear from NDSA President Randy Schmitt, NDSA Executive Vice President Julie Ellingson, North Dakota CattleWomen President Carol Peterson and Beef Industry Long Range Planning Committee member Clark Price.
Besides these presentations, nominating committee reports and the Candidates’ Forum, the session will also include an address by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Buck Wehrbein, a Nebraska cattle feeder, who will provide a national industry issues update on topics ranging from tax, transportation and animal health wins to the New World screwworm and trade.
After the opening session, there will be a social and the opening of the NDSA Trade Show, which will feature nearly 50 allied industry vendors. The Trade Show runs through Friday.
Supper and the presentation of the golf awards and the “Riding for the Brand” recognitions will take place during Wednesday’s supper.
To close out the evening, attendees are invited back to the Trade Show to visit with industry professionals when it resumes at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25
The NDSA Trade Show will reopen on Thursday morning at 8 a.m., with the “nuts and bolts” of the convention, the policy committee meetings, also kicking off then. Members will discuss and debate policy issues and learn from industry experts who will offer information on international beef trade, foreign animal disease preparedness, noxious weed control, grazing program opportunities, electronic brand inspection, livestock disaster programs, pharmaceutical supply chain shortages, rodeo and fair traceability and more.
Following lunch, the Cattlemen’s Education Series workshop, “Building a Business You Love to Operate: Tips to Increase Profit,” will be led by Jordan Steele, director of operations for Ranch Management Consultants, at 1:30 p.m. Steele will help participants think differently about their ranching operations, teaching them the difference between economics and finance and how to break financials down to help make timely and informed decisions. The workshop is designed for producers looking to transform their operation into a profitable business with a positive and engaging work culture.
After the workshop, it will be time to have some fun. The NDSA will host a social and supper followed by the “America Says” Fun Night, where NDSA convention-goers can compete in a Stockmen’s-style game patterned after the popular television game show. Teams will guess the top answers to fill-in-the-blank survey questions and have a chance at extra prizes for the most creative team costumes.
Friday, Sept. 26
At 8 a.m. Friday, activities will resume, and convention-goers will hear from a powerful lineup of speakers.
Kevin Good, vice president of market analysis and industry relations for CattleFax, will be the first to take the stage. Good will cover where the cattle industry is within the cattle cycle and analyze interactions between supply, demand, leverage and prices for cattle and beef, as well as the impact of weather, grain and hay markets, tariffs, trade and the economy.
Joe Scheele, the California agriculture liaison for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will take the stage next, sharing his and his colleagues’ role protecting American agriculture at the border every day.
Sixth-generation Throckmorton, Texas, rancher Tucker Brown will be the last morning speaker. Through social media, he’s been able to convey the truth about American ranching in a way that is both educational and entertaining. He has earned more than a half million followers online, as well as the national Beef Advocate of the Year recognition. Brown will highlight practical ways to build trust with consumers, advocate for the beef industry and stay competitive in a fast-changing world in his presentation, “Building Your Future by Thinking Inside the Box.”
The Foundation Luncheon will begin at 12:15 p.m. It will include scholarship presentations; Foundation board, intern and Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit Class recognitions; and a greeting from North Dakota Beef Commission Chairperson Joy Patten.
Kyle Debertin, a lifelong advocate for agriculture and leadership, former state FFA officer, creator of “Dude Reviews” and now Thrivent market director, is known for his creative spirit, positive outlook on life and unwavering talent for spotting every cow on family road trips. The Berthold, N.D., native will share an uplifting message about building relationships, developing skills and serving others in his talk, “The Gate’s Not Locked.”
Business resumes at 1:30 p.m. in the closing session. Policy committee chairmen will offer their reports, and members will discuss and vote on policy resolutions and select officers and directors to lead the organization for the 2025-2026 year. Membership recruitment prizes will also be awarded. New members and the recruiters of new members are eligible for the Bull Bucks drawing. The winner must be present to win.
A banquet social will begin at 6 p.m., with the annual banquet following at 7. It will include the recognition of long-time employees, as well as members selected for the Honorary Local Brand Inspector, Honorary Membership, Rancher of the Year, Environmental Stewardship and Top Hand Awards. The Top Hand Award is the organization’s highest honor. Steve Brooks, a Bowman, N.D., Angus breeder and former NDSA president, is the recipient this year.
Chad Greenway, a South Dakota farm and ranch kid turned Minnesota Vikings football player, will close out the banquet with his presentation, “Hunt Greatness.” Greenway was the no. 17 National Football League (NFL) draft pick and a long-tenured team captain during his NFL career.
Full, one-day and student registrations are available ahead of time or on site. Take advantage of discounted prices by pre-registering by Sept. 10. Pre-registration forms can be found online at www.ndstockmen.org.
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