Prime Time Gala presents a check to Feeding South Dakota for $303,622

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation total donation exceeds $2.7 million over 11 years
SIOUX FALLS, SD – Saturday evening during the Prime Time Gala, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation presented a $303,622 donation to Feeding South Dakota on stage at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. This makes the total donation to Feeding South Dakota $2,720,044 over the past 11 years. As of May 31, funds raised at previous galas have helped purchase 1,543,890 pounds of beef for those who need it most throughout South Dakota.
“On behalf of the entire South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation Board of Directors, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to every participant, sponsor and supporter of the Prime Time Gala,” exclaimed Ryan Eichler, President of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s. Foundation. “Our job of facilitating the generosity of South Dakota’s beef industry is an honor and one made simple by all who have believed in the foundation and the causes we support.

The results of the 11th annual Prime Time Gala underscore the impact of providing beef to communities around South Dakota and allow us to use the most powerful protein on earth to improve people’s lives. Our foundation will continue to work tirelessly to support this message and deliver protein to those who need it most!
More than 106,000 South Dakotans face food insecurity, one in six of whom are children. High-quality proteins, such as beef, play an important role in overall health, including weight management, by increasing satiety levels and helping to build and maintain muscle mass.
“In South Dakota, food insecurity has nearly doubled in just one year, so more of our neighbors need support to access food,” said Lori Dykstra, CEO of Feeding South Dakota. “The funds raised through the Prime Time Gala have been essential in helping us get millions of pounds of beef to all 66 counties in our state, and onto the plates of the neighbors who need it most.”
During the Prime Time Gala, a total of $15,000 in scholarships were awarded to five students from South Dakota schools interested in improving beef production and promotion to support their education. The winners of this year’s fair included:
● $1,000 – Henry Wright – Brandon, South Dakota
● $2,000 – Kenidey Effling – Highmore, South Dakota
● $3,000 – Lily Fods – Colton, South Dakota
● $4,000 – Megan Sanders – Oral, South Dakota
● $5,000 – Miles Hoffman – Leola, South Dakota
The winners of the Fed Cattle Challenge were also announced on Saturday evening. The goal of this program is to help develop the next generation of feedlot owners and managers in our state. The Fed Cattle Challenge offered youth ages 14 to 18 the opportunity to learn more about the science and economics of cattle finishing by participating in a cattle finishing program. The young people rewarded included:
● $500 – Chance Blum – Reliance, South Dakota
● $1,000 – Karin Sweeter – Worthing, South Dakota
● $1,500 – Olivia Hadrick – Faulkton, South Dakota
Before dinner guests left for the concert featuring Parker McCollum, Warren Zeiders and Julie Eddy, the gala concluded with a raffle of a Billion Chevrolet of Sioux Falls truck. This year, exactly 1,000 tickets were sold for a chance to win a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Duramax Crew Cab 4WD LT. The lucky winner of the truck was Christopher Berry.
The 12th Annual Prime Time Gala & Concert will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Additional details about next year’s Prime Time Gala will be available soon at http://sdcattlemensfoundation.com.

–South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation