News Archive
Posted 09/30/2023
For immediate release:
Sept. 30, 2023
For more information, contact:
Jason Leiseth, NDSA president: (701) 770-1129 • jpleiseth@gmail.com
Jade Koski, NDSA special projects director: (701) 223-2522 • jkoski@ndstockmen.org
Julie Schaff Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org
Elizabeth Neshem, NDSA communications director: (701) 833-1162 • eneshem@ndstockmen.org
K Diamond Cattle recognized as
Environmental Stewardship Award winner
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) presented the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award to K Diamond Cattle of Woodworth, N.D., during the NDSA’s 94th Annual Convention and Trade Show, “Welcome Home,” in Watford City, N.D., this evening.
K Diamond Cattle, a diversified crop and cow-calf operation that aims for continuous improvement with environmental stewardship at the forefront of their mind, is located on the edge of both the Missouri Coteau and Drift Prairie regions of North Dakota. The Koenig family has been farming and ranching in North Dakota for more than a century. Brandon and Lacey Koenig own and operate the ranch along with their children, Cedar, Saige, Briggs and Bridger.
The Koenigs have paved their own path with new management practices then used generations before. They have made improvements to their soil health and grass production by employing fresh grazing practices and other techniques to increase their resilience. With the unpredictablility of the weather each year, they have made a conscious effort to be prepared for dry years.
The Koenigs also raise crops as cash crops, for seed and cover crops and have transitioned to mostly no-till practices. The improvement that they have seen in soil health is illustrated by increased water retention and infiltration, which has also helped them improve their yields.
The Koenigs enjoy all the wildlife on their land and want to provide these animals a place to live and flourish. They have noticed improvement in the presence of wildlife on their land through the years. They work closely with the Chase Lake Wildlife Refuge for their cattle, which is located one mile south of the Koenigs’ ranch. This opportunity has allowed them to utilize the refuge land to graze their cattle and, in return, the cattle help to improve the habitat conditions for other wildlife in the area.
“Across this great state, cattlemen and cattlewomen alike are committed to the care of the land, air and water resources, and they take their responsibilities seriously,” said NDSA President Jason Leiseth, a rancher from Arnegard, N.D. “On behalf of the Stockmen’s Association, I want to congratulate K Diamond Cattle, a model example of stewardship, on this special achievement.”
As the state Environmental Stewardship Award winner, K Diamond Cattle will next compete on a regional level with state winners from South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. If successful there, they will move on to the national competition.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is the state Environmental Stewardship Award sponsor.
###