OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (August 23, 2020) – Larry Schnell of Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange in Dickinson, North Dakota, was installed president of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) at the 2020 Annual LMA Membership Meeting, held virtually on Sunday, August 23. Schnell will complete a two-year term leading the nation’s largest, livestock marketing trade association that represents more than 800 local livestock auction markets and allied businesses.
Schnell’s family holds a
strong history in the livestock marketing industry. In 1937, Schnell’s
grandfather, Ray, founded Schnell’s Livestock Auction Market in Dickinson,
N.D., using chicken wire fence for a sale ring. In 1977, Schnell became
partners with his father and two other individuals, taking over as general
manager in 1985. Currently, Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange has two locations in
Dickinson and is owned by Larry and his partner, James Erickson.
As LMA President and a
market owner, Schnell is actively involved in several livestock industry
issues, including the ongoing Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) packer investigations.
“At this time, the most
important industry issue we face is the finished cattle pricing system and how
to make it more equitable,” Schnell said. “LMA has been very strong in
supporting USDA’s and the DOJ’s investigations looking into the pricing system
and seeing if there is anything illegal or unfair. We need to find a
competitive pricing mechanism that better serves the cattle producers and
cattle feeders our members work so heavily with.”
Additionally, Schnell
looks forward to serving his two-year term as president, and continued
involvement with LMA and its members.
“I look forward to
working with the other committee members, and especially our members across the
nation, on topics important to the cattle industry,” Schnell said. “I believe
that LMA is a very effective organization for the industry and we hope to keep
it that way.”
Aside from LMA, Schnell
is also involved in a variety of other organizations and activities. He was
formerly the Chairman of the North Dakota Beef Council, Regional Vice President
for the Federation of State Beef Councils, President of the North Dakota
Auctioneers Association and President of the North Dakota Livestock Marketing
Associations. Schnell is a former team and calf roper, hockey coach and Elder
at Evangelical Christian Church in Dickinson. He is also an avid golfer and
adult bible school teacher.
About the Livestock
Marketing Association
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through support, representation and communication efforts. For more information, visit www.LMAWeb.com.