Belle Fourche Cattleman Named National Director

PIERRE (January 24, 2005)— Tom Connelley , a cattleman from the Belle Fourche area, has been elected by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) to the Checkoff Division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Board of Directors.

            Connelley, who represents the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association on the SDBIC board, will be traveling to the NCBA 2005 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show February 2-5 in San Antonio , Tex. He will join the other four SDBIC national directors: Nancy Montross, DeSmet; Roger Gerdes , Miller; Becky Walth, Glenham; and Mike Stahly, Cavour.

            The directors will join other beef producers from across the nation in working on national issues impacting beef producers and planning how beef checkoff dollars will be used for the coming year. They will review plans for advertising, research, and education projects focused on increasing beef demand.

            Connelley is a cattle order buyer through his Zion Cattle business and feeds cattle with other family members under 3C Cattle Inc. Connelley also promotes and sells his own beef products under the name South Dakota Beefman.  He says he’s anxious to work on the important issues impacting today’s industry.

“Today in the beef industry we have more critical issues facing us than ever before,” says Connelley. “My whole being revolves around promoting cattle and beef. That’s what I thrive on.”

            The SDBIC is comprised of representatives from eight agricultural organizations: SD Beef Breeds Council, SD Cattlemen’s Association, SD Cattlemen’s Auxiliary, SD CattleWomen’s Association, SD Farm Bureau Federation, SD Farmers Union, SD Livestock Market Association, and SD Stockgrowers Association.