SD Cattlemen’s Foundation Presents $292,620 to Feeding South Dakota

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation presented a donation of $292,620 to Feeding South Dakota during the Cattlemen’s 13th Annual Prime Time Gala and Concert held at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls on Saturday, June 20.

The donation will provide high-quality beef to South Dakotans experiencing food insecurity. The gift brings the Cattlemen’s total support for Feeding South Dakota to more than $3.3 million.

“The generosity of our cattle producers, industry partners, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees continues to make a meaningful impact across South Dakota,” said Ryan Eichler, president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation. “Together, we are helping provide nutritious beef to families in need while investing in the future of agriculture through scholarships and educational opportunities.”

“Support from the Prime Time Gala continues to make a tremendous difference for the families we serve,” said Lori Dykstra, CEO of Feeding South Dakota.  More than 113,000 South Dakotans experience food insecurity, including thousands of children and families in communities across the state. We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation and everyone who supports this event. Their commitment helps ensure South Dakotans have access to nutritious,high-quality protein when they need it most.”

During the gala, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation awarded $15,000 in scholarships to students who are  pursuing education and careers in agriculture and the beef industry and agriculture. The 2026 scholarship recipients included:

$5,000 – Carson Wosje | Volga

$4,000 – Katelyn Gebhart | Meadow

$3,000 – Olivia Hadrick | Faulkton

$2,000 – Josie Johnson | Montrose

$1,000 – Atlee Olson | St. Onge

The Foundation also recognized participants in the Fed Cattle Challenge, a program designed to help develop the next generation of feedyard owners and managers by providing hands-on experience in cattle finishing, production science and  economics.

Winners included:

$1,500 – Lucas Daggett | Aberdeen

$1,000 – Tye McGraw | Raymond

$500 – Mallory Carlson | Erwin

Group winners included:

$1,500 – Gregory County FFA | Burke

$1,000 – Winner High School Animal Science Class | Winner

$500 – Bennett County 4-H | New Underwood

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation also recognized Iroquois-native Kirby Miller as the recipient of the Lake Area Technical College Workforce Scholarship. This scholarship is offered to cover a young student’s entire technical school education along with their commitment to support the beef industry in a full-time capacity for at least three years after graduation.

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation recognized the Kingsbury County Cattlemen’s Association (KCCA) with the 2026 Jean Wilkinson Memorial Branding Iron Award. The award honors the organization’s outstanding leadership, service to the beef

industry, support of the foundation’s mission, and remarkable commitment to helping others. KCCA stepped up to coordinate 41 semi-loads of relief supplies for Nebraska cattle producers impacted by devastating wildfires.

Country music superstar Dierks Bentley headlined this year’s country music concert. Special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Elizabeth Jo also helped entertain over 6,000 attendees.

Walt Bones of Chancellor was the winner of the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Duramax Crew Cab 4WD LT in the Billion Chevrolet of Sioux Falls raffle.

Don’t miss an equally exciting gala next year! The 14th Annual Prime Time Gala and Concert will be held Saturday, June 12, 2027, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

Submitted Photos: Top- Holding the check- Donny Leddy, Stockholm.