A Bull Sale Invitation
- Anthony Kathol
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Today, I had the pleasure of attending Nick Risse’s 46th Annual Bull Sale at the Martin Livestock Sale Barn and Café, where I saw many familiar faces from across Bennett and Jackson Counties. When I arrived, Nick and Gina’s parents were seated in the front row, proudly supporting the family as they prepared for another successful sale, preceded by a free lunch for all in attendance. Nick and his son, Tucker, continue to put in the work required to bring a strong herd of bulls to market for select buyers.
The sale began at 1:00 PM MDT, with strong participation both in person and online. Tucker opened the bull sale with a prayer, giving thanks to God, his family, and the many individuals who worked diligently behind the scenes to make the sale possible. I am sure his grandparents, who were sitting in the front row, were proudly looking on as the next generation steps into leadership. It was clear that the Risse family's legacy is in good hands.
A total of 79 bulls were auctioned, with the top bull bringing $22,500. After reviewing the catalog, attending the auction, and asking questions, I gained a deeper appreciation for the level of precision, data, and disciplined recordkeeping required in this business. Success in the cattle industry depends on providing buyers with accurate information so they can make confident, informed decisions.
I also took time to visit with several ranchers about the realities of the industry, including the advantages and trade-offs between traditional breeding and artificial insemination (AI). These conversations reinforced just how demanding and complex this line of work truly is.
Following the sale, I had a meaningful discussion with a local voter about the future of the beef industry. Topics included concerns over the use of checkoff dollars used to support the production of lab-grown adulterated meat, the role of foreign-backed packing interests, and the importance of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL). The consumer must be educated as to where their beef products are from and to boost consumer confidence with the possibility of lab-grown cultured protein products mixed in with grass and/or corn fed beef distributed within SNAP, the school lunch program, Meals on Wheels for seniors, and many other USDA-funded programs. These issues ultimately point to a broader question: What kind of food system do we want to support?
For me, this is about more than economics—it’s about preserving a way of life. A young rancher I spoke with shared how difficult it is to get started today without family support, especially given that land prices are reaching $2,000 per acre or more. For many of the next generation of ranchers, entering this way of life without significant capital or inherited land is becoming increasingly out of reach.
As I have shared before, my father once said that farming would look very different in 25 years—and he was right. Family operations continue to face pressure from consolidation, making it harder for young producers to establish themselves. If we want the next generation to succeed, we must protect the viability of family-run operations and ensure large corporate interests do not squeeze them out. Big foreign-owned packing plants and feedlots would like nothing more than to see the beef industry aligned with the pork, poultry, and dairy industries to monopolize the source of our food supply chains.
This is a concern of mine and many of those living in rural America, because once the foreign-backed packing plants own the beef industry and the means of production, then they own you. Food security is national security. We must remain vigilant in protecting our land, resources, and food supply from undue external control.
If elected to the State Senate, I will continue to support policies that strengthen and protect our beef producers here in western South Dakota. Our rural communities depend on them, and I tip my hat to the hardworking men and women who sustain this vital industry.
Congratulations again to Nick and Gina Risse and their family on another successful bull sale.
