Ranching in the Middle of History - Center of the Nation Cattle Company
As seen in the Summer Edition of The South Dakota Cattleman
Written by SDCA Staff
Written by SDCA Staff
In 1862, the Homestead Act was passed by Congress, and migration began into the Dakota Territory. Families came in search of fertile farmland, entrepreneurs capitalized on the needs of the growing population, and of course, big dreamers chased the elusive gold strikes. In 1879 early settlers to the territory were welcomed by endless rolling prairie covered in bison, antelope, and virtually undisturbed native soil. The ecosystem was well established with grasslands and grazing herds co-existing for thousands of years in a symbiotic relationship.
One family, the Maasses, arrived in the Black Hills after immigrating to the United States from Germany. Their move to what is now South Dakota became a critical part of one cattle rancher’s story and established a foundation in agriculture for five generations to follow. Jeff Smeenk, of Newell SD is the great, great grandson of the original Maass family. He owns and operates the Center of the Nation Cattle Company. The ranch encapsulates a unique history, strong family tradition, and unwavering commitment to the land. The name itself, Center of the Nation Cattle Company, captures a special aspect of where the property sits. Once Hawaii and Alaska were added as states, the ranch fell within the ten-mile radius that became the center of the United States. When choosing their brand in the early 1970s, Steve Smeek, Jeff’s father, picked an ‘N’ over a lazy heart to represent the heart of the nation.
“I’m the fifth generation in the Newell area, fourth on the irrigated farm, third generation on the ranch,” Jeff said.
The Black Hills became home for both sides of Jeff’s family tree after the turn of the century. The Smeenk family came from Holland originally, stopped in Iowa in 1848, and then kept trekking west. His great grandpa homesteaded in Deer’s Ears Butte, north of Newell, in 1910. Just thirty years later, their son Bill Smeenk married Doris Maass and together they moved onto the Horse Creek Farm. One of their six children, Steve Smeek, married Kay Shaffer in 1969. The couple continued to work alongside Bill and Doris on the farm while raising their own two sons, Chris and Jeff. Originally, the land was dry, open grassland, but after the Orman Dam was built by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation in 1910, irrigated farming became possible. The family also added sheep to the operation with the heavy demand for wool and lamb in the early 1900s.
“Newell was known as the ‘Sheep Capitol of the World’ back in the day,” Jeff reflected. “There was huge demand for the wool, since the army was using it for their uniforms, and at one time my grandpa was running wethers just for the wool.”
After Jeff graduated with a degree in history from Black Hills State, he returned home in 2000 and added cattle to the operation. The sheep markets had seen steep decline in the 1990s which prompted a need for serious change.
“Cattle are easier to raise than sheep, and we had to choose one direction in production during the drought,” Jeff added.
During that time of intense drought, Jeff began working with Natural Resource Conservation Services, attending grazing schools, establishing grazing rotations, and utilizing EQIP contracts to put water pipelines in all their pastures. Resting one pasture at a time for a full year became another step in preserving their land resources. The method was somewhat unconventional, but Jeff said it was based on how the grasslands had evolved with migrating herds of antelope and buffalo. After a herd had intensely grazed an area, they typically left it for a period and found new areas to forage which allowed the plants’ root system to rest and recover. That original design is something that Jeff reflects on often while managing their pastures.
“Leaving one pasture resting for a year is a difficult thing but that’s what we were doing and received awards for it, based on how the land evolved.” Jeff said. “The grasslands became what they are from the pressure of grazing [long before cattle.]”
Using successful management practices that reflect the grasslands original design, Jeff and his family have received recognition such as being named the Region VII Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winner in 2011, a top four finalist for the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award in 2016, Excellence in Range Management Area IV award winner in 2008, South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society Citizens Award recipient in 2012, and honored as a Century Farm by the South Dakota Farm Bureau and South Dakota Department of Agriculture. But Jeff’s vision for the land and cattle goes far beyond award recognition. Implementing these practices is not just ensuring present success but providing a lifeline for the future. His approach to pasture management is not only important for improving his herd’s grazing conditions but also for preserving the environment for other species like birds and wildlife that depend on it.
“Once we lose our grasslands, we lose that diversity forever,” Jeff noted. “Research should be looking at the cow-calf pair as the keystone species of the prairie, once we lose them it’s going to be farmed up, and we’ll lose that grass.”
Misconceptions around cattle and their role in the environment are nothing new to Jeff. After ten years of traveling before returning to the ranch, he says that it is easy for even highly educated people to lose sight of the true impact of production agriculture.
“I know so many intelligent people, but they don’t know about agriculture, so they think we’re doing the wrong thing, because that’s what they’ve learned and or have been taught,” Jeff said. “It leads them to thinking like cattle are ruining the environment even though they operate the same way as bison and antelope from how the prairie evolved.”
His advice to other cattle producers is simple.
“One, we have to make sure we are doing the right things, and two, we have to be vocal in policy. SDCA has the resources, and we don’t have the time to do it ourselves and that’s why it’s so vitally important that you join.” Jeff added. “Be politically active, even if it’s just joining the organization, your support will allow them to better represent you at the state and national level.”
Jeff, a Past President of South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association continues to be active in the association and a mentor to others. Jeff’s words to young producers address another area of importance.
"Develop a good relationship with your ag lender, find somebody that understands your operation and is willing to share the same vision you have for your place.”
For those young or old interested in adding conservation efforts to their operation Jeff recommends working with existing resources such as NRCS and US Fish and Wildlife Partners Program. These groups offer cost share programs, educational opportunities, and connections to people who share the vision of production and conservation working hand in hand.
“Reach out for help, there are so many people there willing to help you.”
While much of South Dakota might not look the way it did in 1879, there is still opportunity to preserve the natural grasslands by utilizing the grazing methods of that time. From the earliest days, bison and antelope, grazing ruminants, we’re helping maintain and protect the grasslands. Today, cattle provide the same opportunity and good management that benefits the entire ecosystem and keeps the prairie operating the way it has for thousands of years. The Smeenks’ conservation efforts through cattle production created a legacy for their land, herd, and family that continues throughout generations.
One family, the Maasses, arrived in the Black Hills after immigrating to the United States from Germany. Their move to what is now South Dakota became a critical part of one cattle rancher’s story and established a foundation in agriculture for five generations to follow. Jeff Smeenk, of Newell SD is the great, great grandson of the original Maass family. He owns and operates the Center of the Nation Cattle Company. The ranch encapsulates a unique history, strong family tradition, and unwavering commitment to the land. The name itself, Center of the Nation Cattle Company, captures a special aspect of where the property sits. Once Hawaii and Alaska were added as states, the ranch fell within the ten-mile radius that became the center of the United States. When choosing their brand in the early 1970s, Steve Smeek, Jeff’s father, picked an ‘N’ over a lazy heart to represent the heart of the nation.
“I’m the fifth generation in the Newell area, fourth on the irrigated farm, third generation on the ranch,” Jeff said.
The Black Hills became home for both sides of Jeff’s family tree after the turn of the century. The Smeenk family came from Holland originally, stopped in Iowa in 1848, and then kept trekking west. His great grandpa homesteaded in Deer’s Ears Butte, north of Newell, in 1910. Just thirty years later, their son Bill Smeenk married Doris Maass and together they moved onto the Horse Creek Farm. One of their six children, Steve Smeek, married Kay Shaffer in 1969. The couple continued to work alongside Bill and Doris on the farm while raising their own two sons, Chris and Jeff. Originally, the land was dry, open grassland, but after the Orman Dam was built by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation in 1910, irrigated farming became possible. The family also added sheep to the operation with the heavy demand for wool and lamb in the early 1900s.
“Newell was known as the ‘Sheep Capitol of the World’ back in the day,” Jeff reflected. “There was huge demand for the wool, since the army was using it for their uniforms, and at one time my grandpa was running wethers just for the wool.”
After Jeff graduated with a degree in history from Black Hills State, he returned home in 2000 and added cattle to the operation. The sheep markets had seen steep decline in the 1990s which prompted a need for serious change.
“Cattle are easier to raise than sheep, and we had to choose one direction in production during the drought,” Jeff added.
During that time of intense drought, Jeff began working with Natural Resource Conservation Services, attending grazing schools, establishing grazing rotations, and utilizing EQIP contracts to put water pipelines in all their pastures. Resting one pasture at a time for a full year became another step in preserving their land resources. The method was somewhat unconventional, but Jeff said it was based on how the grasslands had evolved with migrating herds of antelope and buffalo. After a herd had intensely grazed an area, they typically left it for a period and found new areas to forage which allowed the plants’ root system to rest and recover. That original design is something that Jeff reflects on often while managing their pastures.
“Leaving one pasture resting for a year is a difficult thing but that’s what we were doing and received awards for it, based on how the land evolved.” Jeff said. “The grasslands became what they are from the pressure of grazing [long before cattle.]”
Using successful management practices that reflect the grasslands original design, Jeff and his family have received recognition such as being named the Region VII Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winner in 2011, a top four finalist for the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award in 2016, Excellence in Range Management Area IV award winner in 2008, South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society Citizens Award recipient in 2012, and honored as a Century Farm by the South Dakota Farm Bureau and South Dakota Department of Agriculture. But Jeff’s vision for the land and cattle goes far beyond award recognition. Implementing these practices is not just ensuring present success but providing a lifeline for the future. His approach to pasture management is not only important for improving his herd’s grazing conditions but also for preserving the environment for other species like birds and wildlife that depend on it.
“Once we lose our grasslands, we lose that diversity forever,” Jeff noted. “Research should be looking at the cow-calf pair as the keystone species of the prairie, once we lose them it’s going to be farmed up, and we’ll lose that grass.”
Misconceptions around cattle and their role in the environment are nothing new to Jeff. After ten years of traveling before returning to the ranch, he says that it is easy for even highly educated people to lose sight of the true impact of production agriculture.
“I know so many intelligent people, but they don’t know about agriculture, so they think we’re doing the wrong thing, because that’s what they’ve learned and or have been taught,” Jeff said. “It leads them to thinking like cattle are ruining the environment even though they operate the same way as bison and antelope from how the prairie evolved.”
His advice to other cattle producers is simple.
“One, we have to make sure we are doing the right things, and two, we have to be vocal in policy. SDCA has the resources, and we don’t have the time to do it ourselves and that’s why it’s so vitally important that you join.” Jeff added. “Be politically active, even if it’s just joining the organization, your support will allow them to better represent you at the state and national level.”
Jeff, a Past President of South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association continues to be active in the association and a mentor to others. Jeff’s words to young producers address another area of importance.
"Develop a good relationship with your ag lender, find somebody that understands your operation and is willing to share the same vision you have for your place.”
For those young or old interested in adding conservation efforts to their operation Jeff recommends working with existing resources such as NRCS and US Fish and Wildlife Partners Program. These groups offer cost share programs, educational opportunities, and connections to people who share the vision of production and conservation working hand in hand.
“Reach out for help, there are so many people there willing to help you.”
While much of South Dakota might not look the way it did in 1879, there is still opportunity to preserve the natural grasslands by utilizing the grazing methods of that time. From the earliest days, bison and antelope, grazing ruminants, we’re helping maintain and protect the grasslands. Today, cattle provide the same opportunity and good management that benefits the entire ecosystem and keeps the prairie operating the way it has for thousands of years. The Smeenks’ conservation efforts through cattle production created a legacy for their land, herd, and family that continues throughout generations.