Make It “Beef” and the Grill for Father’s Day

  PIERRE (June 1, 2007)—You could take dad out for Father’s Day on June 17, but what’s the fun in that? Better to wrap up some tenderloin steak and let him strut his stuff at the grill.

            Father’s Day and the barbecue go together like Mother’s Day and flowers. Present dad with his favorite cut of steak, all the trimmings, and family members to “ooh” and “aah” as he takes the juicy, tender beef off the coals—and he’ll be happy.

            We don’t know when the grill and beef became synonymous with dad’s big day. We do know that if you count from its unofficial beginning, Father’s Day is almost 100 years old. It began on June 19, 1910, as a proclamation by the mayor of Seattle , Wash. , at the behest of a local woman, Sonora Dodd. There was already a Mother’s Day and Dodd wanted equal honors for her father, a widowed Civil War veteran who raised six children.

            President Richard Nixon signed the day into public law in 1972. There was no official declaration that grilling should be part of this summer day set aside to honor fathers, but it’s well known that today Father’s Day and grilling go hand in hand.

            According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 74 million Americans participated in a barbecue last year. The census added that it’s “safe to assume” that many of them took place on Father’s Day. In many cases, dad is in charge of his own cookout, which often means burgers and steaks sizzling on the grill.

            Since summer grilling isn’t confined to Father’s Day, part of your gift to dad could also include an easy way to enjoy beef on the grill all summer long. South Dakota Beef Bucks and South Dakota Beef Certificates are available in differing denominations and can be used to purchase any cut of beef from a retailer or a beef entrée at his favorite restaurant. Why not make up a “griller’s gift box”, complete with grilling tools, barbecue sauce, and enough in Beef Certificates or Beef Bucks to keep him happy all summer long.

            Order your South Dakota Beef Certificates by calling 605-342-0429, or order South Dakota Beef Bucks by calling toll-free at 888-640-MEAT. Find out more about Beef Certificates, Beef Bucks, or recipes for the grill on the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) Web site at www.sdbeef.org.

The SDBIC collects the $1-per-head beef checkoff on cattle sold in South Dakota . Checkoff dollars are utilized strictly for promotion, education or research programs. At least 50 cents of every dollar is directed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board for programs on the national level. The SDBIC can retain up to one-half for in-state programs.