Larry Schnell Named Agriculturalist of the Year

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

Dec. 20—DICKINSON, N.D. — In a heartwarming tribute to a pillar of the community, Larry Schnell, a longtime resident of Dickinson, has been named the Agriculturalist of the Year by the NDSU Saddle and Sirloin club. This prestigious honor recognizes Schnell's unwavering dedication to the agricultural industry and his outstanding contributions to both local and national levels.

The award will be officially presented at the Agriculturalist of the Year banquet on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at the Avalon Event Center in Fargo, North Dakota. The banquet will kick off with a social gathering at 5 p.m., followed by a meal at 6 p.m.

Tickets for this special event are available for $20 and can be purchased by contacting Megan Rodine at megan.rodine@ndsu.edu, or by calling (701) 408-9085.

The culmination of Schnell's recognition will be witnessed on Saturday, Feb. 10, when the 98th Little International contest takes center stage at Shepperd Arena on the NDSU campus. This annual event showcases the talent and dedication of Saddle and Sirloin club members and other students involved in the livestock industry. Beginning at 8 a.m., the competition will feature exhibitions of beef, dairy, swine, sheep and goats. The highly anticipated showmanship finals will commence at 5 p.m.

Schnell's journey to becoming the Agriculturalist of the Year is a testament to his lifelong commitment to the agricultural sector. A devoted husband of 44 years to his wife Judi, and a proud father of two children, Jay and Dee, Schnell has called Dickinson home for most of his life.

For nearly five decades, he has been an integral part of Stockmen's Livestock Exchange, a Livestock Auction Market in Dickinson. His dedication to the business led him to become a partner and general manager, alongside his partner James Erickson. In a significant move for the future of the market, Schnell and Erickson sold the business to three of their dedicated employees in October of last year.

Throughout his career, Schnell served on various boards and committees, always championing the interests of livestock producers. He played a crucial role in addressing concerns within the cattle industry, including lien laws.

His most notable accomplishment was the creation of an invaluable animal handling video, featuring experts from around the nation demonstrating proper techniques. This video, funded by ranchers' checkoff dollars and supported by the Livestock Marketing Association and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, has been distributed to every livestock auction market in the United States and translated into Spanish for use in Mexico and South America.

In recognition of his exceptional work on the Auction Market Cattle handling video, Schnell was honored with the BQA Marketing Award in February 2013.

Schnell's impact extended beyond national borders when, in 1994, he and Wayne Carlson, North Dakota's State Ag Dept. Livestock Director, were called upon by the U.S. State Department to assess livestock marketing in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region. This international mission resulted in a comprehensive plan for the construction and operation of a livestock auction market, a blueprint that was subsequently used in Kazakhstan.

In June 2020, Schnell was elected as the president of the Livestock Marketing Association, a position he currently holds as Chairman of the Board. His tenure as president saw the successful organization of the Livestock Industry Roundtable, a highlight of his leadership.

Schnell's remarkable journey aligns perfectly with the theme of the 98th Little International contest, "Against All Odds." He stands as a shining example of perseverance and dedication, making a significant impact on the agricultural world and serving as an inspirational role model to the Saddle and Sirloin club members and agriculturists across the state.

For more information about the Agriculturalist of the Year banquet and Little International events, please contact M. Jennings, 98th Little "I" Publicity Chair, at madelyn.jennings@ndsu.edu or 701-460-0872.