The North Dakota Stockman: North Dakota Stockmen's Association Magazine, History and Staff
Profile updated November 2026
North Dakota Stockman magazine is the award-winning, full-color publication of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA), a cattle producers' trade group born in 1929 out of frustration with rustlers. Published from Bismarck, it carries industry news, production, management and herd health tips and feature stories to members across the state.
| Publisher | North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA) |
|---|---|
| Association founded | June 6, 1929 |
| Headquarters | 4520 Ottawa Street, Bismarck |
| Subscription | Included with NDSA membership |
| Recent issues | May/June through October 2026 |
| Communications Director | Elizabeth Hasenwinkel |
| Official website | NDStockmen.org: The North Dakota Stockman |
History of The North Dakota Stockman
In 1929 cattlemen on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and in surrounding areas were losing animals to thieves. Andrew Johnston, a Watford City-area cattleman, called a meeting, and on June 6, 1929, the North Dakota Stockmen's Association was christened. The founders elected John Leakey president and each put $5 into a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of cattle, horse or mule thieves. That fund now offers up to $14,000.
Brand inspection, the association's first tool for protecting cattle, remains a cornerstone of its work, alongside brand recording, environmental services and association services. In 2024 the NDSA celebrated 95 years, and it marked its 94th annual convention and trade show in Watford City, near where it began.
The association's stated purpose is to unite, protect, promote, educate and serve the state's beef cattle industry, and The North Dakota Stockman is the main way it does that with members.
The North Dakota Stockman Today
The North Dakota Stockman is an award-winning, full-color magazine, and a one-year subscription comes with NDSA membership. Recent issues in 2026 included May/June, July, August, September and October editions. Regular departments in the October 2026 issue included the President's Message, Two Bits, Branding Iron and Five Buckles.
The NDSA also publishes a North Dakota cattle directory and honors members through its Top Hand award and honorary memberships, which the magazine covers.
What The North Dakota Stockman Is Publishing Now
Industry news
Policy, markets, brand inspection news and association updates from Bismarck.
Production and health
Management and animal health tips for cow-calf and feeder operations on the northern plains.
Features and departments
Feature stories on ranch families and recurring columns such as Two Bits, Branding Iron and Five Buckles.
The North Dakota Stockman Editors and Staff
The NDSA staff page lists:
- Julie Ellingson - Executive Vice President
- Elizabeth Hasenwinkel - Communications Director
- Corby Ward - Chief Brand Inspector
- Jade Koski - Special Projects Director
- Scott Ressler - Environmental Services Director
- Joan Zimmerman - Brand Recorder
General association mail: ndsa@ndstockmen.org.
Who Reads The North Dakota Stockman
Readers are cattle ranchers and farmer-stockmen across North Dakota, from the badlands and Missouri River country in the west to mixed crop and livestock farms in the east. USDA NASS inventory statistics and the Census of Agriculture give the official picture of the state herd, and USDA ERS data show cattle as the largest single source of U.S. animal receipts.
North Dakota stockmen calve in blizzards and brand in mud, so their humor tends to be as tough as their winters. farm.FM serves farm satire, farm humor and ranch humor for readers who think minus 20 is merely brisk. Its farm jokes are worth a Two Bits of anyone's time.
Part newsroom, part radio dial, farm.FM bills itself as America's first satirical farm site and plays Tractor Tunes, its country music for farmers. Browse a farm.FM writer's back catalog to see the style.
The North Dakota Stockman Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- NDSA: The North Dakota Stockman - the magazine and recent issues.
- NDSA: About the association - the 1929 founding and mission.
- Red River Farm Network: Celebrating 95 years - the association's anniversary.
- USDA NASS Quick Stats - North Dakota cattle inventory statistics.
- USDA NASS Census of Agriculture - North Dakota farm and ranch data.
The North Dakota Stockman FAQ
Who publishes North Dakota Stockman magazine?
The North Dakota Stockmen's Association in Bismarck.
When was the North Dakota Stockmen's Association founded?
Its christening day was June 6, 1929, after Andrew Johnston called cattlemen together to fight rustling.
How do I get The North Dakota Stockman?
A one-year subscription is included with NDSA membership.
Does the NDSA still do brand inspection?
Yes. Brand inspection and brand recording remain core association services.
Nearly a century after a meeting about rustlers, North Dakota Stockman magazine still keeps the state's cattle producers informed and protected.