Cattlemen’s Beef Board COO to Address S.D. Beef Council

PIERRE (May 23, 2006)—Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s Chief Operating Officer Monte Reese will update directors of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) on national checkoff-related issues during their quarterly meeting Friday, June 9.

Reese, headquartered in Denver , will travel to the state to discuss checkoff policies and programs with the board that administers and collects the $1-per-head beef checkoff in South Dakota . The CBB oversees the national checkoff program—which includes at least 50 cents of every dollar collected in South Dakota and other participating states.

Directors will also receive a first-hand report on how checkoff-funded materials are used by beef retailers. John Haverhals , CEO of Marshall John’s™ Beef, a South Dakota company selling branded South Dakota Certified™ Beef both online and in select grocery stores and restaurants, will talk about how his company utilizes checkoff-funded material in its marketing efforts to consumers.

Tracy Orsburn, who travels the country in the Beefmobile talking to beef producers about the value of the checkoff, will be on hand during the meeting to review her activities with directors. The Beefmobile, funded with checkoff dollars, is coordinated by the National Livestock Producers Association, a livestock marketing organization based in Colorado .

In other business, Roger Gerdes, SDBIC president, says the directors will begin planning for the 2006-07 budget, approve an employee handbook, and finalize approval of the SDBIC Policy Handbook. The board’s Prime Promoter Committee will also be selecting winners of the 2006 Prime Promoter Award to be presented during the SDBIC annual meeting this fall. Winners will not be announced until a later date.

“We invite beef producers to attend the meeting,” says Gerdes, who adds that the event, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Ramkota in Pierre , will be an opportunity to learn more about the checkoff program and how it works on both the state and national level. “Both Monte Reese and John Haverhals will be able to share important information on the value of the checkoff.”

Reese is scheduled to speak over the noon hour. Beef producers interested in attending and having lunch during the meeting need to call the SDBIC office ahead at 605-224-4722. There will be a charge for the lunch.

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