Sandhills Cattle Association

  In November and December, we conducted our annual ranch hand wage survey. We gather this information every year to track the wages paid to non-family ranch hands in the Sandhills area. There were seven employers who completed and returned the survey. These responses represent two ranch managers, 10 full time general ranch hands and eight part time ranch hands or day workers. The length of employment ranged from 2 months to 27 years. The average years worked was just under 7 years. The hours worked per week ranged from 50-60 hours for an average of 53 hours/week.
  The average cash wages paid to full time ranch hands was $2,160/month and ranged from $1,750-$2,500/month. The ranch manager’s cash wages ranged from $2,200-$2,500/month for an average of $2,350/month. Starting wages ranged from $1,000-$2,200/month and averaged $185/month.. The hourly rate for day work was $12/hour. There was one report for hay help at $1,000/month. One employer paid $500/month for part time help.

     Officers and directors for the Sandhills Cattle Association were elected during the annual business meeting at the 73rd Annual Convention held May 24 in Thedford.
     The directors elected for a 3-year term were: Ken Colburn, Valentine; Brad Emerson, Ellsworth; Dave Nichols, Chambers; Craig O'Kief, Wood Lake and Lyle Phillips, Mullen.
     The officers for the 2012-13 term are: President- Jody Dexter, Valentine (pictured in middle); Vice President- Dave Nichols, Chambers (pictured at left); Treasurer- Neil Jorgenson, Callaway  (pictured at right).

The Sandhills are 19,300 square miles of rolling, grass-covered hills that stretch across Nebraska and South Dakota and sit atop the Ogallala aquifer, one of the largest underground water sources in the United States. This location, along with an abundance of water and over 700 species of grasses, makes the Sandhills a prime grazing area for cattle.

The area is often called "God's Own Cow Country." Cattle ranching is the lifeblood of this region and the Sandhills ranchers take their jobs seriously. They strive to produce better cattle that will be profitable for both the producer and feeder, yet cost justifiable to the packer and provide safe, nutritious and great tasting beef for the consumer.

The Sandhills Cattle Association is governed by a board of fifteen directors who are Producer Members of the Association.The officers for 2011-2012 are: President- Lemoyne Dailey, Thedford; Vice-President-Jody Dexter, Valentine; and Treasurer- Dave Nichols, Chambers. Ronna Morse is the Secretary/Manager.