Twenty of the 24 directors on the South Dakota Beef Industry Council toured the new SDBIC office in Pierre before the quarterly meeting in November. They are, from left to right: Farm Bureau— Ed Blair , Vale, Myron Williams , Wall; SD Stockgrowers—Bob Fortune, Belvidere, Ernie Mertz, Bowdle,  Jim Murphy, Reliance (in place of Tom Connelley , Belle Fourche); SD Livestock Market Assn.—Johnny Smith, Ft. Pierre; SD Beef Breeds Council— Roger Gerdes , Miller, Cal Sandmeier, Bowdle (kneeling), John Symens, Amherst; SD Cattlemen’s Auxiliary—Eileen Moller, Mitchell, Carol Wienk, Lake Preston, Nancy Montross, DeSmet; Back row, SD Cattlemen’s Assn.— Becky Walth , Glenham, Mike Stahly, Cavour, Merrill Karlen, Jr., Oacoma; Farmer’s Union: Jim Beastrom, Pierre, Vaughn Meyer, Reva, Berwyn Bain, Frederick; Front row, SD CattleWomen, Marilyn Dobesh, Belle Fourche and Lonna Johnson, Tuthill. Not pictured: Georgia Talsma (Farm Bureau); Wayne Tupper and Frank Volmer (SD Livestock Auction Market); Brenda Reis (SD CattleWomen).

Beef Council to Fund Consumer Reach of Phosphorus Study

PIERRE (November 29, 2005)—Consumers are more likely to purchase beef if they have a positive image of beef producers in the environmental arena. That’s the concept behind the South Dakota Beef Industry Council approving the use of beef checkoff dollars to help fund a research project underway at South Dakota State University (SDSU).

The project was just one of many considered during the Council’s quarterly meeting November 21 in Pierre . The basis of the research stems from new state and federal environmental guidelines. These guidelines require livestock producers to use phosphorus as the limiting factor when developing and implementing nutrient management plans. These plans must be followed when applying manure on fields or pastures.

Phosphorus is a nutrient present in several types of fertilizer, including manure. The SDSU research is analyzing the varying soil types across the state, determining how phosphorus interacts with the soils.

“This research will provide information to help livestock producers better follow the environmental guidelines,” says Ed Blair , chairman of the SDBIC Research Committee. The Committee recommended the Council approve funds for specific portions of the research which could tie in with consumer attitudes toward beef.

Blair explains that the SDBIC will fund up to $5,000 to help design and print brochures and educational materials that will share the environmental information with the consuming public. “When consumers understand that our state’s beef producers go the extra mile to be environmentally friendly, it reflects on the product we produce,” says Blair. “That,” he says, “should reflect on demand.”

Other projects approved by the SDBIC include financial support for SDSU Meat Judging teams, a beef tenderness evaluation through the Calf Value Discovery program, support for the Beef 20/20 seminar, and comparison of three types of beef feedlot facilities and their effect on meat quality.

Prior to its meeting, SDBIC directors toured the new SDBIC office in Pierre . The Council moved to the new location this fall.

The South Dakota Beef Industry Council collects the $1 checkoff in South Dakota and can retain up to 50 cents for state promotion, research or educational programs that fit within the parameters of the Beef Promotion and Research Act and Order. SDBIC forwards remaining monies to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to be utilized for national programs.

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.