DENVER, CO – Range-ready isn’t just a slogan on the Schrempp ranch. It’s a way of life. That was recognized when Dean Schrempp of Lantry, SD, was named “Commercial Producer of the Year” by the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF). He was nominated for the award by the South Dakota Limousin Association and the Heartland Limousin Association.
The family ranch is located in Dewey County on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. The cattle run along Bear Creek where they have lots of trees and hills for protection against the snow and bitterly cold weather.
Dean and his late wife, Mavis, have ranched in that area since the 1950’s. He and his five sons currently run about 1,000 cows on 20,000 acres of land. The majority of the cows are home-raised. They are a spring-calving ranch that sells their production either to Fort Pierre Livestock or private treaty. One year the family; Dean, his three daughters and five sons, branded 500 head in one day.
The Schrempp family have used Limousin bulls from Schott Limousin of McLaughlin, SD, and Wulf Cattle of Morris, MN. Since 1975, the Schrempps have purchased many bulls and according to Dean, “the genetics in Limousin cattle is the way to go.” He looks for bulls that are easy calving, have strong legs, and a good disposition.
Their goal is to improve the herd and produce the best livestock for the people at the lowest price. Dean says that the most important thing when taking cattle to market is to get the kill sheet to see how the grade and yield. The Schrempps use all their own feed; oats, corn silage, hay and alfalfa.
Dean has been a supporter of his community representing Dewey County in the South Dakota legislature for 20 years. He has been a county commissioner, president of the Cenex board, president of the airport board, president of the parish council, and he started the Eagle Butte medical board clinic, serving as president for 30 years. He received the governor’s “Volunteer of the Year” award in 1991. Dean was a boxing coach for 45 years for the youth of the county, and he was a golden gloves boxer for six years. He is also the author of a book, “Wide Open Spaces” about the Schrempp life in Dewey County.
The award was presented January 13, 2020 during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver.
