South Dakota Certified Beef
FAQs

Q: How did SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef start?
SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef is the vision of South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds. The vision for this program was incorporated into the state's 2010 Initiative, a long-term plan for tourism and economic development in South Dakota. Governor Rounds, the Department of Agriculture and the Governor's Office of Economic Development partnered to turn this vision into a reality.

Q: What is the goal of this program?
The goal of this program is two-fold. First, by adding value to South Dakota beef, the state's producers and processors are able to see an increase in profitability. Secondly, consumers can be confident that SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef is a safe, wholesome, quality product.

Q: What makes the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef Program unique?
The state of South Dakota is the first governmental agency to pursue a state initiated certified beef program. The program is based on a strong foundation of state verified participation requirements for both cattle producers and beef processors that ensure program integrity and continuous improvement.

Q: When and where can I buy SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef?
We anticipate having a limited supply of SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef available in the summer of 2005. Locations where SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef can be purchased will be listed on this site.

Q: As a consumer, how will I verify that the beef I'm eating is actually SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™?
Look for the package with the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef seal or for retailers who display the seal at their meat counter.

Eventually, SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef will be labeled with a verification number that will allow safety-conscious consumers to use the Internet to trace SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef they buy in the store all the way back to the ranch where the animal was born and raised.

Q: What makes SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ ENROLLED CATTLE better than others?
The program includes strict production, management and traceability requirements. For example, animals are fed a strict vegetarian diet which ensures a safe, wholesome end product.

Each animal is also fitted with an electronic identification ear tag that allows producers to track them.

Q: What makes SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef more tender than other beef?
Processors are required to use at least one pre-approved quality enhancement technique during processing. These techniques increase tenderness and overall quality, giving the consumer the most enjoyable eating experience possible.

Periodic random product samples are taken from each certified processor to measure tenderness and overall quality. Accountability is a key part of the success of this program.