Two state cattle industry leaders have been named to the North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation (NDSF) Board of Directors. Tim Erbele of Streeter, N.D., and Scott Katus of Watauga, S.D., were recently appointed as directors of the 501(c)3 charitable organization. Established in 2008, the NDSF works to provide hope and opportunity for the state’s cattle industry in this and future generations through scholarship, leadership, promotion, research, building and disaster relief objectives.
“We are excited to welcome Tim and Scott to the board,” said NDSF President Jeff Schafer of New Rockford, N.D. “Their vast industry and community service experience and vision will be perfect complements to our board and will help the Stockmen’s Foundation accomplish its mission.”
Erbele runs a diversified livestock and crop operation. He owns a Salers-Angus-cross cow-calf operation and operates a 1,200-head permitted feedlot. He is also a Purina feed dealer. Erbele and his wife Ronda have two daughters, Miranda (Andy) Hagen and Addyson. He is committed to industry service, having served on the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) Board of Directors for two terms, where he assumed the role of Animal Health Committee chairman. He is also involved with his local Farmers Co-op Elevator Board of Directors in Streeter and is an elder of the Crossroad Church.
Katus and his wife Heather have four children, Jacy (Andy) Mrnak, Cole (Brooke), Braydon and Tally, and three grandchildren, Sloan, Lincoln and Jaylee. Katus, his wife and their sons operate a commercial Angus cow-calf operation and small registered Angus herd. They utilize both Angus and Hereford bulls. The family runs a heifer development program, producing Angus and black-white-face bred heifers. They background steers and also grow corn, sunflowers, wheat, barley, oats, sorghum, millet and alfalfa for feed and cash crops. He serves on the McIntosh Co-op Board and is a past president of the Corson County Farm Board, as well as a director on the Winona Township board and a member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church.
The duo fills the vacancies of Jerry Effertz of Velva, N.D., and Howdy Lawlar of Watford City, N.D. Each completed two terms on the board and were no longer eligible for re-appointment.
“The state’s cattle industry is better off because of the service of Jerry and Howdy,” said Schafer. “The point of view they brought and the counsel they provided over the last several years were invaluable and helped our organization make a difference in the lives of North Dakota cattle producers and beyond, now and in the future.”
