Education

Along with supporting Feeding South Dakota, funds raised from the Prime Time Gala & Concert, and other fundraising efforts, support the Fed Cattle Challenge and the scholarship program that provides funding each year to students throughout South Dakota. Read below to learn more about each initiative and how to apply.

Fed Cattle Challenge

The Fed Cattle Challenge provides an opportunity for youth to learn about the science and economics of finishing cattle by participating in a calf finishing program. Participants and groups will understand the process for finishing cattle through ownership of a percentage of a pen of cattle (roughly equivalent to three head) at a custom feedlot, receive curriculum on twelve topics related to cattle feeding, calculate a closeout, and present what they have learned to a panel.

Each participant and group will own a percentage of a pen of cattle approximately equal to three head a pen at Winner Circle Feedyard. The participant or group will be responsible for a 30% equity down payment and the feedyard will finance the remaining value of the cattle and expenses. Following harvest, proceeds from the cattle will be divided among the owners of the cattle, and the three head of cattle participants or group own, minus the divided costs. Participants and groups will be given the information and closeout template they need to understand, complete, and present to the panel.

Awards for the top three participants and top three groups will be awarded. First place will receive $1,500, second place will receive $1,000, and third place will receive $500.

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Registration is now open!

Fed Cattle Challenge registration for class of 2025-2026 is open until September 20, 2025 at 11:59PM CT. Register now! 

“We are excited to continue to offer this program. Our goal is to help develop the next generation of feedlot owners and operators. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive and affirms that we are accomplishing that goal."

Roxanne Knock

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation
Board Member

Fed Cattle Challenge Details

Objective:

Provide an opportunity for youth (South Dakota high school students not graduating before May 2026) to learn about the science and economics of finishing cattle by participating in a calf finishing program.

There are four parts to the program:

  1. Understand the process for finishing cattle through ownership of cattle at a custom feedlot.
  2. Receive and review multiple topics through videos and short quizzes.
  3. Interpret a closeout.
  4. Presentation.
Requirements:

Resident of South Dakota attending a South Dakota high school and not graduating before May 2026.

If you have previously participated in the Fed Cattle Challenge, and you’re still eligible based on age and residency, you’re welcome to participate again. Participants and groups that have previously participated and received one of the top three awards are NOT eligible to receive one of the top placings again.

Purchasing Cattle:

Winner Circle Feedyard will purchase, house, feed and care for the participant's cattle throughout the program.

Each participant and group will receive an invoice for approximately 30% of the purchase cost of a percentage of the pen roughly equal to 3 head. 

Each participant must provide this down payment to Winner Circle Feedyard within two (2) weeks of the cattle being purchased for the program. This will be approximately October 1st and for an amount of around $2,500. 

Cattle Cost + Proceeds:

Winner Circle Feedyard will finance the remaining value of the cattle as well as the feed, yardage, hedging and veterinary/medical costs. Each billing period, the feedyard will be paying the costs until the cattle are sold.

*Proceeds from the cattle will be divided among the owners of the cattle and the number of cattle they own in this project, minus the divided costs. Carcass proceeds -- (calf purchase price + costs) = Participant's and group's revenue.

Curriculum:

Participants and groups will receive videos on various topics related to feeding cattle. The topics will cover a curriculum that will chronologically detail the process of starting and finishing cattle and will be developed by industry experts.

Closeout:

Participants and groups will receive a close-out final report for the pen after the cattle are harvested. A quiz will be given to help assess understanding of the close-out.

Presentation:

After the project is complete and the cattle have been harvested, participants and groups are asked to present to a panel of judges via Zoom.

Awards for the top three participants and top three groups will be awarded after presentations: 

First place $1,500
Second place $1,000
Third place $500

Time Requirement:

Participants and groups will receive curriculum in the form of 5-10 minute videos, with written supporting material on a bi-weekly basis. They're asked to watch the video, and take a short 5-10 question online quiz at their convenience. The presentation is hosted via Zoom.

After registration closes, Winner Circle Feedyard will purchase a pen of cattle for the program. We'd like to allow one month for the feedyard to purchase the pen and send invoices.

Deadline:

The deadline for individuals or groups to apply and submit their registration is September 20, 2025 at 11:59PM CT.

No extensions will be granted. 

Fed Cattle Challenge Students

2025 Individual Fed Cattle Challenge Winners 

  • $1,500

    Keaton Zubke – Waubay, South Dakota

  • $1,000

    Chance Blum – Reliance, South Dakota

  • $500

    Cooper VanderWal – Brookings, South Dakota

2025 Group Fed Cattle Challenge Winners:

  • $1,500

    Gregory County FFA – Burke, South Dakota

  • $1,000

    Northwestern Area FFA – Mellette, South Dakota

  • $500

    Hitchcock-Tulare FFA – Tulare, South Dakota

Fed Cattle Challenge Schools

Here’s what a few past finalists have to say about the about the program:

Logan Schlim

Previous Fed Cattle Challenge Finalist

"The Fed Cattle Challenge was an excellent way to enhance my knowledge on the cattle feeding industry. Being able to obtain information from industry experts and use real-world investments will allow me to implement more of these tactics into my own cattle feeding operation in the future."

Peter Rausch

Previous Fed Cattle Challenge Finalist

"The Fed Cattle Challenge has given me a live experience with feeding cattle where there is real risk and reward. This Challenge has given me more in-depth insight into different aspects of the cattle industry. Definitely recommend this to other peers."

South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation

Scholarship Program

In 2016, the South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation Scholarship Program was established. This scholarship aims to identify and reward students who are interested in the improvement of beef production and promotion.

Scholarships of $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 will be awarded to five students from South Dakota enrolled in any post-secondary institution in South Dakota. All awards will be paid directly to the institution the student is enrolled in.

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Scholarship Applications Will Open in December 2025.

Applications for the 2026 South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation Scholarship program will be open in December 2025. Check back soon!

2025 Scholarship Winners

  • $5,000

    Harlee Heim – Wessington Springs, South Dakota

  • $4,000

    Abigail Morse – Madison, South Dakota (not pictured)

  • $3,000

    Korbin Leddy – Stockholm, South Dakota

  • $2,000

    Kyle Sanders – Oral, South Dakota

  • $1,000

    Madelyn Caulfield – Bradley, South Dakota

Scholarship Award Winners Group

Here’s what a few past scholarship winners have to say:

Tate Risse

2020 Scholarship Recipient

"Winning this scholarship helped me from a financial standpoint, which allowed me to focus on my dream to make a difference in the cattle industry. It also gave me confidence knowing the foundation believed in me and my future goals."

Matea Gordon

2022 Scholarship Recipient

"It has been a thrill to be recognized by the South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation. I have enjoyed being involved in South Dakota's livestock industry and greatly appreciate SDCF's scholarship support as I pursue a degree in Ag Business and work toward my future career goals in agriculture."

Ella Stiefvater

2023 Scholarship Recipient

"For their help, I am incredibly grateful. That continues to hold true after experiencing the incredible generosity and confidence that the South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation has placed in students like myself through the gift of scholarships."

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