Mike Wendel North Dakota

The North Dakota Angus Association board of directors unanimously endorses Mike Wendel of LaMoure, N.D., for the American Angus Association Board of Directors.

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Wendel is a third-generation beef producer. He grew up on the family farm raising cattle and crops. Wendel had the privilege of working with his retired grandfather on the farm for more than 20 years. He was introduced to Angus cattle in 1982 by his neighbor Walt Haberman of Atomic Angus.

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Wendel grew up with 11 siblings who were all active in 4-H or FFA. He showed cattle on a county, state and national level. He represented his home state of North Dakota at the national level for showmanship.

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Wendel was part of the livestock judging team that often consisted of numerous family members and was coached by his father, Dennis. This team competed nationally.

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After high school, Wendel worked on the Cloverdale Farms cattle ranch in northern Virginia for two years before returning home to pursue a middle school teaching degree in math and science. Missing the open prairies and agriculture, he returned home to the family farm to continue a long family tradition.

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Wendel farmed and ranched for a few years with his father before Dennis purchased a local feed plant. This left Wendel with full-time responsibilities of their corn, soybean, wheat, alfalfa, livestock, and custom seeding and harvesting operations. While custom seeding in Oakes, N.D., Mike met his wife, Shari, who farmed with her family.

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After marrying in 2002, the couple formed Wendel Livestock. The partnership joined Shari’s farm in Oakes and Wendel’s farm in LaMoure, where their family currently resides. The couple mainly raised commercial cows along with registered cows.

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After combining operations, they expanded their registered herd by purchasing more registered cows, and implanting embryos in most of their commercial cows. They also continue a legacy of finishing cattle. One of the many tools they use in decision-making is expected progeny differences (EPDs) to evaluate carcass merit, because they purchase a lot of their customers’ cattle back.

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Wendel’s two boys, David and Derek, as well as his and Shari’s three children, Reed, Rose and Ryder, have all been active in 4-H or FFA showing livestock. Reed, Rose and Ryder have had the pleasure of successfully judging together on the same livestock judging team. Reed is pursuing an animal science degree at North Dakota State University (NDSU) this fall. In addition to being active in 4-H and FFA, the kids are also active in the North Dakota Junior Angus Association (NDJAA).

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Wendel Livestock has grown to a 250-head registered herd and has hosted annual production sales since 2004. In 2011, Dennis sold his feed plant business to Wendel and his brother, Shane. Under their leadership, the feed plant is still thriving today.

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Wendel has served on the North Dakota Angus Association board for 11 years, serving as president from 2016 to 2017. While he was on the board, the association started a feed-out program with NDSU Carrington Research Center. Wendel has served as chairman since its inception 10 years ago. Shari is currently an advisor to the NDJAA.

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Wendel serves on the Grand Rapids church council and Pearl Lake township board. He helped form the LaMoure FFA alumni chapter, where he serves on the land committee.

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Through 10 years of service as a national delegate and extensive involvement in the breed, Wendel has developed relationships with Angus producers all over the country. He has enjoyed his time and friendships formed with people throughout his career in the Angus business. If elected, he will bring his calm, commonsense approach to the Board of Directors. Wendel will value the voice of the Association’s membership, and represent them with his full attention and respect.