New board directors are elected to serve on the SD

New board directors for the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC) have been elected by their districts and will begin their terms this month.

The new directors were selected to serve on the SDCUC board following elections that were held in their respective districts to fill vacancies on the SDCUC board of directors for their regions.

David Fremark of Miller, S.D. was elected to represent District 12 which includes the South Dakota counties of Faulk, Hand and Hyde. Fremark replaces Don Pugh of Miller, S.D., on the SDCUC board, who served his allowed term.

Brent Rames of Menno, S.D., went uncontested in District 10 and will serve the counties of Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Hutchinson and Douglas. Rames fills the District 10 position held by Mark Namminga of Avon, S.D., whose term had ended.

And Kirk Schaunaman, Aberdeen, S.D., was elected in District 14, representing Brown, Edmunds and McPherson counties. Schaunaman’s seat was previously held by Lars Herseth of Houghton, S.D., who also served his allowed term.

The new directors will assist the SDCUC in its mission to increase the profitability of all South Dakota corn producers. The SDCUC board executes this mission by investing checkoff dollars into research, market development and through promotion and education.

“We’re pleased to welcome three individuals with outstanding leadership ability to our board of directors and we look forward to the contributions they will make for South Dakota corn producers,” said Lisa Richardson, SDCUC executive director.

David Fremark – District 12

David Fremark operates a diversified grain and livestock farm near Miller, S.D. His farming operation consists of corn, sunflowers, spring wheat, winter wheat and soybeans. He also has a 900 head cow herd and a 6,500 head cattle feedlot.

Fremark returned to the family farm to join his father in 1984 after graduating from South Dakota State University with an Ag Business degree.

“I chose this profession because I enjoy being my own boss and thought there was a good opportunity to create a profitable enterprise,” said Fremark. “I also enjoy seeing crops and cattle grow.”

Fremark says one of the most important issues facing today’s corn producers is the price of nitrogen fertilizer.l

“We need GMO corn that is nitrogen fixing like soybeans,” said Fremark.

Fremark and his wife, Lori, have four children: Peter, 19; Kelli, 18; Maggie, 12; and Jake 9. He is also a member of the Miller Area School Board, a deacon at St. Lawrence Community Church and an R-CALF member.

Brent Rames – District 10

Brent Rames has been farming since 1994 when he joined his dad on the family farm near Menno, S.D. There they grow corn and soybeans while operating a cow/calf enterprise and a small feedlot.

Farming as a career was a natural choice for Rames as he grew up.

“I chose to farm because I had an interest at a very young age – probably since I was old enough to ride with my dad in the tractor,” said Rames.

Rames believes that one of the challenges facing today’s corn producers is maintaining profitability in today’s tight margins.

He and his wife, Ann, have one son, Blake, who is 1-year-old. In addition to his role as director for the SDCUC, Rames also is the vice president of Farmers Grain and Stock Company in Menno.

Kirk Schaunaman – District 14

Kirk Schaunaman is a grain and livestock producer from Aberdeen, S.D. He grows corn, soybeans and spring wheat while operating a cow-calf enterprise.

Schaunaman graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Animal Science in 1983 and returned to the family farm joining his dad and brother. His father has since retired and the brothers continue to farm together.

“I truly enjoy the way of life that production agriculture offers with all of its challenges and opportunities,” said Schaunaman.

Schaunaman and his wife, Kim, have three daughters: twins Kayla and Kelcy are 12 and Karly is 6. Schaunaman has also participated in the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership Class 1 and is a member of the South Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Wheat, Inc., South Dakota Soybean Association and is on the Brown County FSA committee.

Schaunaman says one of the most important issues facing today’s corn producers is adjusting and positioning themselves in a fluid marketplace.

“We must remain profitable while raising a product in a competitively priced and ever changing marketplace,” said Schaunaman.