STURGIS, S.D. (WNAX) – Blair Brothers Angus Ranch of Sturgis has been named the 2020 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award winners. The Blairs run a cow calf, stocker and feedlot business that spans 40,000 acres of rangeland. Ed Blair says they started working with an NRCS Conservationist in the 1980s and implemented rotational grazing.

He says as the season goes along, they’ll go to warm season grasses before switching back to cool season grasses in the fall.

Blair says through their cattle management, especially during the drier years they’ve been able to improve the environment.

Blair says by implementing these conservation practices they’ve been able to enhance soil, water, livestock, and wildlife on their ranch. They’ve used rotational grazing, no till farming, seeding cropland back to grass and established a drought management plan.

The Blair’s will be presented with the $10,000 award at the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Rapid City December 1 and 2.