SIOUX FALLS — On June 21 during the 12th Annual Prime Time Gala, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation presented a donation to Feeding South Dakota, on stage at the Denny Sanford Premier Center, in the amount of $306,621. This makes the overall donation to Feeding South Dakota $3,026,665 in the last 12 years. Funds raised from the last 11 Prime Time Gala events have helped to purchase 1,663,390 pounds of beef for those that need it the most across South Dakota.

“On behalf of the board of directors for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the 12th Annual Prime Time Gala,” said Ryan Eichler, president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation. “True to form, the beef industry showed up Saturday night full of energy and generosity, enabling the foundation to provide funding to Feeding South Dakota and increase opportunities in education and the promotion of beef’s role in a healthy lifestyle. ”

“With recent federal food inventory cuts to Feeding South Dakota, it’s become even more challenging to meet the growing need for food across our state,” said Lori Dykstra, CEO of Feeding South Dakota. “Support from the Prime Time Gala has been critical, allowing us to continue delivering beef to families in all 66 counties of South Dakota who are counting on us now more than ever.”

More than 113,750 South Dakotans struggle with food insecurity, and one of every five children in South Dakota face food insecurity.

During the Prime Time Gala, a total of $15,000 in scholarships were awarded to five students attending South Dakota schools who are interested in the improvement of beef production and promotion to aid in their education. This year’s scholarship winners included:

• $1,000: Madelyn Caulfield – Bradley
• $2,000: Kyle Sanders – Oral
• $3,000: Korbin Leddy – Stockholm
• $4,000: Abigail Morse – Madison
• $5,000: Harlee Heim – Wessington Springs

On Saturday evening, the fed cattle challenge winners were also announced. The goal of this program is to help develop the next generation of feed yard owners and managers in our state. The fed cattle challenge provided an opportunity for youth, ages 14 to 18, to learn about the science and economics of finishing cattle by participating in a cattle finishing program. Those youth that were awarded included:

• $500: Cooper VanderWal – Brookings
• $1,000: Chance Blum – Reliance
• $1,500: Keaton Zubke – Waubay

New this year, the SDCF awarded group Fed Cattle Challenge winners:

• $500: Hitchcock-Tulare FFA – Tulare
• $1,000: Northwestern Area FFA – Mellette
• $1,500: Gregory County FFA – Burke

This year’s gala concert featured country music star Jordan Davis, best known for 2X platinum hit, “Next Thing You Know,” along with Scotty McCreery and Weston Frank. Before Jordan Davis took the stage, the winner of the Billion Chevrolet of Sioux Falls truck raffle was randomly drawn. The lucky winner of the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Duramax Crew Cab 4WD LT was Brian Gilbert of Dell Rapids.

The 13th Annual Prime Time Gala & Concert will be next year on June 20 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Denny Sanford Premier Center. Additional details about next year’s Prime Time Gala will be available soon here.