South Dakotans Have Impact On Beef Checkoff Program

PIERRE (February 13, 2006)—During 2006, when decisions are made on the national beef checkoff program, South Dakotans will definitely be at the table.

That became evident as South Dakota cattle producers headed home from Denver last week after the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention. Thousands of cattle producers from across the country attend the event, which combines the annual meetings of both the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB), which administers the $1-per-head checkoff program, and the checkoff (federation) division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

While South Dakota may be small in population, it’s big on the national stage when it comes to the cattle industry and representing the state’s cattle producers on checkoff issues.

“We’re extremely well represented,” says Roger Gerdes , a Miller, S.D. cattle producer and president of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC). “We are represented on all of the major committees.” Gerdes himself serves on the Advertising Committee, making decisions on how checkoff dollars will be utilized for campaigns including the well-recognized and successful Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner ad campaign.

            He explains that committees meeting during this year’s convention were focused on the vision set forth for 2006: a beef industry that is profitable, growing and sustainable for future generations. “Everybody was energetic and enthused,” says Gerdes. “There was a lot of positive motivation during the session.”

            “ South Dakota cattle producers are fortunate to have a lot of good people working hard to represent them,” adds the SDBIC president. “Our state’s beef producers need to understand that they can express their ideas or concerns to their representatives on the SDBIC board and they will be heard on the national level.”

            SDBIC directors serving on the CBB and their committee assignments include:  Ed Blair , Vale, chair of International Marketing Committee and newly named to the Executive Committee of the United States Export Federation; Gary Sharp, Bath, member of Operating Committee, vice chair of Information Committee and chair of Dairy Communications Committee; Pat Blum , Reliance, Chair of Health Professional Influencer Subcommittee and member of Administrative and Market Research Working committees; Merrill Karlen, Oacoma, Issues Management Subcommittee.

            SDBIC directors serving on the NCBA Checkoff Division include: Myron Williams , Wall, Operating Committee; Becky Walth , Glenham, vice chair of Human Nutrition Research Committee and member of Nominations Committee; Tom Connelly, Belle Fourche, New Product and Culinary Committee; Nancy Montross, DeSmet, Retail Committee; Mike Stahly, Cavour, Issues Management Committee; and Gerdes,  Advertising Committee.

            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 Federation, SD Farmers Union, SD Livestock Market Association, and SD Stockgrowers Association.