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Becoming a SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Processor
Step 1: Education and Training
All processors interested in participating in the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef Processing Program must successfully complete initial program education and training prior to application.
Step 2: Register a Premises
Processors must have an official USDA premises number that uniquely identifies the geographic location of their plant. Official premises numbers are issued by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board.
Step 3: Application
Processors must submit the following items to the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development:
1. An official application form
2. A copy of the plant's most recent state or federal inspection report
3. A copy of the plant's *Processing Procedures Manual
Processor Application PDF
*Processing Procedures Manual- specific to each processor, outlines the methods used to verify eligibility of live animals, segregate SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef product from non- SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef product, track product through the plant and record/transmit required carcass data back to producers.
Step 4: Initial Inspection
The South Dakota Meat Inspection Program will conduct an initial on-site inspection of each applicant. Inspectors will evaluate the applicant's ability to comply with participation requirements and execute their Processing Procedures Manual.
Step 5: Approval/Denial
Approval for participation will be issued to processors who successfully complete their initial on-site inspection. Approval will also be issued to processors who adequately correct any "required improvement areas" identified during the initial on-site inspection.
Processors who fail to adequately correct any "required improvement items" will be denied for participation until the necessary corrections are made.
Step 6: Licensing
Processors issued approval for participation must sign a SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef Processing Program Licensing Agreement in order to use the official program Seal on eligible beef product.
Licensed processors must submit their company label with the official program Seal to the South Dakota Meat Inspection Program or the Food Safety Inspection Service for approval.
On-Going Requirements
Demonstration of Skills - Each processor utilizing the State Carcass Quality Certification System must provide an initial in plant demonstration of their skills for South Dakota State University meats extension personnel. A minimum accuracy score must be met.
Annual Audits - The South Dakota Meat Inspection Program will randomly audit all participating processors annually to ensure compliance with program requirements. Processors must adequately correct non-conformances in order to continue participation.
Product Sampling - Beef product from each processor will be randomly sampled and tested by South Dakota State University meats extension personnel to measure tenderness, quality, consistency and improvement over time.
Continuing Education - Participating processors must attend annual continuing education sessions. These sessions will be held for one day each year.
Program Fees
Year 1 of participation -
- No licensing fee
- Processors pay the cost of follow up inspections/audits resulting from "required improvement areas" if required. (Estimated annual maximum $300)
- No product sampling fees
- Processors are responsible for the cost of the product
- $150 licensing fee
- Processors pay the cost of follow up inspections/audits resulting from "required improvement areas" if required. (Estimated annual maximum $300)
- No product sampling fees
- Processors are responsible for the cost of the product
- $300 licensing fee
- Processors pay the cost of follow up inspections/audits resulting from "required improvement areas" if required. (Estimated annual maximum $300)
- Processors pay product sampling fees (Estimated annual maximum $300)
- Processors are responsible for the cost of the product
