S.D. Beef Council Supports Certified Beef Program

PIERRE (June 20, 2005)—South Dakota beef producers, through their checkoff dollars, will be helping train in-state meat processors in the specifics of the new South Dakota Certified Beef program. Directors of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) voted during the organization’s quarterly meeting June 14, to help fund necessary training, materials and future research that may be needed for the program.

The funding, says SDBIC President Nancy Montross, is an indication of the director’s support for South Dakota Certified Beef, a new state program that will guarantee consumers they’re buying beef born, raised and processed in the state.

The first of three training programs was being held at South Dakota State University (SDSU) in mid-June, with another two planned this summer. Approximately 18 processors are expected to participate in the pilot phase through the fall with general enrollment in the program to begin around the end of the year

In other action, SDBIC voted to take advantage of the growing number and variety of consumers attending SDSU athletic events. Beginning with this fall’s Jackrabbit football season, SDBIC will run the positive message of beef on electronic messaging boards, signs and banners at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium and Frost Arena, and on radio programming of the Division I athletic events.  

Checkoff dollars will also be working on the national level for South Dakota producers. In an effort to spur movement of beef, directors voted to send additional checkoff monies to help fund a national grilling promotion. Checkoff dollars will also be utilized nationally in the area of issues management, helping disseminate scientific information to the media and consumers on various issues impacting the beef industry, including the importance of beef’s role in nutrition and food safety concerns such as BSE.

“Whether discussing in-state or national programs, our directors take seriously their job of representing the interests of the state’s beef producers when it comes to deciding how checkoff dollars should be spent,” says Montross, a beef producer from DeSmet. “These meetings give them an opportunity to collect information on various programs and discuss where they feel the dollars would best be directed.”

The SDBIC collects the $1-per-head on all cattle sold in South Dakota . The Council, whose board is comprised of representatives from eight state agricultural organizations, can retain up to 50 cents for in-state projects, forwarding the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, to be used to co-op on national promotion, research and educational projects.

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