Sandhills Cattle Association

The Scholarship Committee has finalized the 2012 application and it is now available by contacting the Association office or by clicking here for a fillable .pdf. The same application form will be used for the SCA’s scholarships and the Howard Wright Memorial Scholarship. There are five scholarships offered by the Sandhills Cattle Association, each in the amount of $1,000, and the Howard Wright Memorial Scholarship is $500. Completed applications must be postmarked or dropped off in the SCA office on or before February 1, 2012.

   This year we once again conducted the annual ranch hand wage survey. This information was gathered during the months of November and December. It reflects the wages paid to ranch hands, who are not family members.
   There were 13 employers who completed and returned the survey. Seven of the respondents indicated they had over 1,000 head of cattle, one ran 801-1,000 head, two ran 501-800 head and two had 300-500 head. These responses represent two ranch foremen, 21 full time general ranch hands and 30 part time ranch hands.
   The length of employment for full time employees averaged 3 1/2 years. The range was from 3 months to 20 years. The average hours worked per week for the full time employees was 50 hours per week with a range of 40 to 60 hours per week. The full time ranch hands wages ranged from $1,700-$3,500/month with an average monthly cash salary of $2,130. The monthly wages for one foreman was just over $3,300 and the other was $2,000. The starting wage for full time employees ranged from $900/month to $2,000/month with most respondents’ starting wages ranging from $1,800-$2,000. Eight employers said they adjust wages annually, while two said they adjust wages twice per year. Three employers said adjustments are made to pay as needed.

     Officers and directors for the Sandhills Cattle Association were elected during the annual business meeting at the 72nd Annual Convention held May 26 in Valentine.
     The directors elected for a 3 year term were: Jody Dexter, Valentine; Tim Evans, Whitman; Adam Fischer, Valentine; Neil Jorgenson, Callaway; and Shane Kime, Nenzel.
     The officers for the 2011-12 term are: President- Lemoyne Dailey, Thedford (pictured at right); Vice President- Jody Dexter, Valentine (pictured in middle); and Treasurer- Dave Nichols, Chambers (pictured at left).

     This year marks the 20th year the Sandhills Cattle Association has presented scholarships to children of Association members. During those 20 years, 365 applications were recieved, averaging 18 per year. To date, 73 students have received scholarships, nine of whom have earned an SCA scholarship twice. The number and amounts of the scholarships have changed throughout the life of the program. For the first four years two scholarships were offered annually in the amounts of $500 and $1000. For 7 years after that three $500 scholarships were awarded and in 2003 the number was increased to four. In 2004 the number of scholarships presented was upped to five per year and since 2007, there has been five $1000 scholarships awarded each year. The annual benefit auction and memorial money have been instrumental in establishing and sustaining the SCA scholarship fund. We are grateful to those who have contributed funds and donated, bid on or purchased items in the auction over the years. Since 1992, a total of $51,250 has been paid out in Sandhills Cattle Association scholarships.
     Once again this year $1,000 Sandhills Cattle Association scholarships were awarded to five outstanding young people to help them continue their educations. There were 18 qualified applicants making the decision difficult. Sandhills Cattle Association Scholarships were awarded to: (from left) Sydney Gehl, daughter of Greg & Susan Gehl, Ericson; Amanda Keys, daughter of Kerry & Anita Keys, Elsmere; Brittney Andersen, daughter of Clint & Jean Andersen, Lakeside; Kip Littau, son of LeRoy & Dawn Littau, Carter, SD; Justin Nollette, son of Tim & Terri Nollette, Nenzel.
     Braden Storer (second from left), son of Eric & Tanya Storer, Whitman, was presented the Howard Wright Memorial Scholarship. The $500 scholarship is administered by the SCA and awarded by the Wright family in memory of Mullen area rancher, Howard Wright.
     Committee members were: Aleta Ambler, Anselmo; Dennis Bammerlin, Millboro, SD; Eric Connot, Clearfield, SD; Mart Hollenbeck, Bassett; Cherryl Lovejoy, Valentine; and Sherrill Shadbolt, Brownlee.

The 21st Annual Ranch Tour was held Saturday, January 22 south of Hyannis, Ne. Tour stops included SandPoint Cattle Company-Arthur Division, Y Six Livestock, the Dan & Linda Crouse ranch, Hebbert Charolais and Wellas Cattle Company. Close to forty vehicles joined the caravan through the Sandhills to see some great country, impressive cattle and learn about five very different ranching operations. Thank you to everyone who attended and to our hosts and sponsors for the enjoyable day.

     The EP&C Committee went to Rolling Stone Feed Yard on December 1 to take the official beginning individual weight of the calves entered in the 30th Annual EP&C Contest, assign values and docility scores. The steers averaged 701 lbs. and the heifers had an average weight of 636 lbs. Contestants should have received this information in the mail. 
     The contest began November 8 when 157 calves entered the feedlot in Ainsworth, Ne. We would like to thank all the SCA members who entered this 30th Anniversary contest. The contest is an educational opportunity as well as a fundraiser for the Sandhills Cattle Association. Please call the office for more information or with any questions.

A complete list of the contest rules are available by clicking here.