Question Our Positions, Not Our Integrity

          Question Our Positions, Not Our Integrity

Debate is a necessary and healthy part of any strong organization, and at SDCA it is not only welcomed, it’s required. This is not a good ole boys club or a place to swap stories about the weather. Our policy committees are where the hard debates happen within the four walls of the meeting room. Producers bring real‑world experience, challenge assumptions, and work through differences with rigor and respect so that by the time we reach our annual meeting we can stand together and present a unified voice for the cattle industry. That unity is built through honest internal debate and it will not be fractured by outside noise or unfounded attacks from those who are not part of the process.

We hear it repeatedly “South Dakota Cattlemen’s is run by the packers” and “so this is where my Checkoff dollars are going.” These claims are repeated so often that some have begun to accept them as truth. They are not. And repetition does not transform misinformation into fact. Let’s be clear, when these accusations are made, they are not simply critiques of a policy position or an advocacy decision. They call into question the integrity of every dues‑paying, cattle‑producing member of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. That is not healthy debate; it is an unfounded attack. Enough is enough.

The claim that South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association is “run by the packers” is simply not supported by fact. Our Allied Industry Membership information is publicly available and shows that not a single packing plant is a dues paying, Allied Industry Member of SDCA. The organization does not receive any funds from the “Big Four.” SDCA is governed by cattlemen and women from across South Dakota and from every sector of the industry: cow‑calf, seedstock, stocker, feeders, and family‑owned ranches. These producers directly invest in the future of beef production in this state. Suggesting otherwise does more than spread misinformation, it undermines the credibility and character of the producers who volunteer their time and resources to serve. If an argument depends on dismissing those producers as puppets or shills, the problem is not the organization’s structure. It is the weakness of the argument itself.

Another frequent remark “so this is where my Checkoff dollars are going” is equally unfounded. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association does not receive Checkoff funds for advocacy work. Period. Federal law explicitly prohibits the use of Checkoff dollars for lobbying or policy advocacy. Suggesting otherwise is not just inaccurate; it implies criminal misconduct by the checkoff’s volunteer board members, staff, and regulatory oversight bodies alike. Ask yourself whether fraud on the scale being alleged could realistically occur without detection? Or is casting suspicion easier than engaging with the facts? If there is confusion between the checkoff and South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, that distinction should be clarified through education rather than accusation.

We also hear claims that SDCA is doing the bidding of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. That accusation is wrong. SDCA is a proud affiliate of NCBA, but affiliation does not mean control. NCBA does not dictate our policies, priorities, or positions. In fact, the relationship works in the opposite direction. Through our affiliation, SDCA has a seat at the table. We have representation on NCBA’s board, bring South Dakota–driven policy forward, and cast our votes on policy proposals as do the other 43 state cattle associations. That is not being “run by” anyone; that is active participation in the national conversation. If you disagree with NCBA, that is your prerogative. But criticizing SDCA for engaging where decisions are made and for advocating on behalf of South Dakota producers is neither fair nor productive.

We welcome debate. We encourage producers to challenge ideas, question outcomes, and advocate for solutions they believe will strengthen this industry. What we will no longer accept is rhetoric rooted in misinformation and amplified through repetition. Calling something a fact does not make it one, and tearing down fellow producers with false claims does nothing to improve markets, strengthen rural communities, or secure the future of cattle production.

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association listens to the cattle producers who pay their dues, show up, engage in the process, and actively help build policy for this organization and for this industry. Question our positions. Scrutinize our decisions. Hold us accountable. But do not question our integrity based on claims that are false. If you want to argue, let’s argue on facts. If you want to debate, let’s debate honestly.

Sincerely,

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors
Craig Bieber, Leola
Dawn Butzer, Alcester
Vaughn Thostenson, Selby
Warren Symens, Amherst
Cody Hanssen, Firesteel
Troy Hadrick, Faulkton
Nick Wilkinson, De Smet
Maggie Mendel, Carpenter
Colby Olson, Kimball
Maria Buus, Canova 
Kory Bierle, Midland
Quinn Mortenson, Hayes 
Clint Doll, Prairie City 
Devin Stephens, St. Onge

Formed in 1948, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA) was established to ensure the voices of South Dakota’s cattle producers are heard. Built by cattlemen, for cattlemen, SDCA is a grassroots, membership organization representing members all segments of the cattle industry across the state. 

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