South Dakota couple, Jim and Lee Kopriva, are one of seven ranchers chosen by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as regional winners of the Environmental Stewardship Award.  South Dakota Cattlemen’s President, Todd Wilkinson says the announcement was made Thursday night at the NCBA summer conference in Denver.

The Raymond area ranchers are focused on a sustainable approach to their cattle operation located on the eastern edge of the James River Valley and the Western edge of the Coteau Hills.  They use rotational grazing in their registered Black Angus operation and sustainably manage native grasslands, hay and pasture. Wilkinson says there’s a lot of competition for the ESAP award and the Kopriva’s were very deserving winners.

Also named a regional winner was Glenn and Bev Rowe of Lorimor, Iowa. The other five regional winners came from Nevada, Montana, Texas, Virginia and Florida.