About

Who We Are

Our Mission

Advance the interests of South Dakota cattlemen through representation and promotion of the beef industry. 

Our Vision

To be an organization where members work together to protect their industry;  seek solutions to industry problems; provide a unified voice and to build the good will, esteem, and recognition the industry deserves. 

Industry Advocates

Locally

SDCA is a grassroots organization consisting of 16 affiliates in five regions providing opportunities for members to be involved in their local communities. 

Statewide

Each region and council elects representatives to the SDCA Board of Directors. These volunteer leaders are your voice at the state level. The members' policy is created through policy committee and voted on by membership at the SDCA Annual Meeting. The SDCA represents that policy to the legislature , state agencies, consumer groups, and media providing a statewide voice for today's beef producers.

Nationally

The SDCA works directly with our congressional delegation on federal issues that impact South Dakota cattlemen and women. Additionally, as an affiliate of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), the SDCA is the voice for South Dakota producers on national issues that impact you and your business. Our affiliation with NCBA means you have a seat at the table and a vote in the national decision making. The NCBA Washington office is considered one of the most effective lobbying groups on the Hill. The Denver office has a team dedicated to research, communication, membership services, and beef promotion activities to support the state affiliates.

SDCA Leadership

The South Dakota Cattlemen's Association is a grassroots organization that relies on participation of the members through their local affiliates and by electing representatives to serve on the state Board of Directors.

The board is comprised of the immediate past president, the president, vice president, the vice president of membership, one representative from each council and two regional representatives from each of the five regions (western, northern, southern, northeastern, southeastern).

The regional representatives shall be elected for a term of two years, with one representative from each region elected each year on a rotating basis.

Regional Representatives

NORTHERN REGION

Bryan Gill, 701-730-0134, bigredgenetics@hotmail.com
Troy Hadrick, 605-347-1182, troyhad@gmail.com  

NORTHEAST REGION

Drew Edleman, 605-881-2419, dwedleman86@gmail.com 
Nick Wilkinson, 605-847-5080, wilkinsonn77@gmail.com 

SOUTHEAST REGION

Colby Olson, 605-680-4676, ckolson@midstatesd.net 
Austin Havlik, 605-999-9245, austin.havlik@yahoo.com

SOUTHERN REGION

Casey Heenan, 605-842-3100, cheenan@winnercirclefeedyard.com
Kory Bierle, 605-843-2275, kry@gwtc.net 

WESTERN REGION

Britton Blair, 605-347-0426, britton.blair@yahoo.com
Devin Stephens, 605-642 9769, dbstephens1984@gmail.com 

SDCA Officer Team

The South Dakota Cattlemen's Association officer team is made up of five individuals, the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President of Membership and Past President.


Warren Symens

PRESIDENT

605-237-2127  |  wsymens@sdcattlemen.org


Craig Bieber

VICE PRESIDENT

605-216-8169  |  craig@bieberredangus.com

 

Vaughn Thorstenson 

SECRETARY/TREASURER

605-649-6262  |  vwthor@venturecomm.net


Jake Harms

VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP

605-929-6686  |  jake@bieberredangus.com  

Eric Jennings

PAST PRESIDENT

605-641-6420  |  ermijenn@outlook.com 

SDCA Staff

Taya Runyan

SDCA Executive Director
trunyan@sdcattlemen.org

Lorrin Naasz

Director of Communication & Outreach
lnaasz@sdcattlemen.org