Fall Angus Tour: Southwest North Dakota hosts tour featuring attendees from twelve states

James B. Miller, Jr., The Dickinson Press, N.D.
·4 min read

Sep. 28—DICKINSON — When the early pioneers ventured into the badlands of the Dakotas they were faced with near insurmountable challenges. From minimal rainfall and rough terrain, farming was quickly shunned in favor of the raising of livestock — such as cattle, sheep or horses. It was in these inhospital lands that cowboys saw promise.

Cattle and western North Dakota have gone hand-in-hand since the 1880s, as the Northern Pacific Railroad reached the Montana-Dakota border and ushered in a boom for cattle ranchers who would ship their Dakota beef to the big markets of Chicago and Omaha from the small towns of Medora, Dickinson and the many small communities dotting the Western Edge.

More nearly 150 years later, Angus enthusiasts from across the country returned to the badlands to tour southwestern North Dakota as part of the Fall Angus Tour hosted by the North Dakota Angus Association (NDAA).

In total, twelve states would come together Sept. 17 through Sept. 19 in Dickinson with daily itineraries set to view area Angus cattle ranches. The tour group traveled roughly 585 miles over the two-day excursion, visiting 14 prominent Angus breeding operations in the process.

"The North Dakota Angus tour event was three great days showing many different landscapes and cattle bred to fit each specific ranch," Casey Maher, NDAA president, said. "It further showed the Angus breed's strength is made up by the diversity of the cattle."

The event kicked off in Dickinson with a ticketed fundraiser hosted by the North Dakota Angus Auxiliary at Fluffy Fields Vineyard & Winery, southwest North Dakota's first year-round winery offering a wide variety of cold-climate grape wines and a nice variety of fruit wines.

The event featured an Angus beef meal, chocked full of the famed marbling hallmarked by the breed, and paired with a tasting of locally produced wines. Attendees also participated in a bucket auction with proceeds going to fund the Auxiliary, which will be used to support the NDAA juniors program through scholarships and activities.

"The wine tasting was a smashing success. The absolutely delicious North Dakota grown wines, savory roast beef meal, fabulous guests in attendance and the generous donations made this event a night to remember," Meghan Ressler, interim president of the North Dakota Angus Auxiliary, said. "The funds raised all go to support our junior members, the very future of North Dakota's Angus breed."

There were several North Dakota Junior Angus Association members who participated in the tour as well, with advisors and junior members holding a poker run where participants drew a card at the first five stops each day and the best hands received cash prizes.

"It was a great way to raise money and get the junior members involved, and those who participated really had fun with it," said Ashley Bruner, NDAA secretary and treasurer.

Before loading the buses Sunday morning, attendees entered into communion in a Cowboy Church service, performed by Tracy Buer of Bison, SD.

North Dakota Angus members' ranches showcased on Sunday were Ridl Angus of Dickinson; Talkington Angus Ranch and Richard Angus Ranch of Belfield; Week Angus of Beach; Open A Angus of Medora; Best Angus & Quarter Horses and KD Angus of Watford City; and Dahl Angus of Keene.

With the sunset as the backdrop, tour attendees enjoyed music performed live by Nashville recording artist and Watford City native Jessie Veeder, as children enjoyed horseback rides.

With the sunrise ushering in the second day of the tour, attendees visited Urlacher Angus and Carlson Angus Ranch of Regent; 21 Angus of New England; Evenson Angus of Hettinger; Bowman Ranch of Rhame; and Brooks Chalky Butte Ranch of Bowman.

Day two tour participants touted the experience.

"This is my third North Dakota Angus Tour and this year certainly did not disappoint," Sue Glaser, president Northern Wisconsin Beef Producers Association, said. "The beef dinner and winery tour was a fun new twist. As usual the tour was well organized, the food was great and the Angus breed was well represented by our gracious host ranches."

Glaser added, "For anyone looking to see some great cattle with like-minded folks, at a very reasonable price, be sure to join this tour in 2024."

The Fall Angus Tour is held every other year, across one of six regions of North Dakota. The next tour is tentatively scheduled to be held in 2024 in the Northeast region of North Dakota.

For more information about the tour, or the North Dakota Angus Association, please contact Travis or Ashley Bruner, Secretary and Treasurer at (701) 400-1016, or via email at northdakotaangus@gmail.com.