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Participation Requirements

For Processors

 

Following is a summary of the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef Processing Program (SDCBP) participation requirements for processors. Detailed information is made available to processors during required initial SDCBP education and training sessions.

 



Geography

  • Processors must be located in South Dakota.
Animal Origin
  • Only SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ ENROLLED CATTLE are eligible to become SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef products.
Product Tracking & Verification
  • SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef products must be segregated from other non-SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef products during harvesting and processing.
  • Processors must electronically verify the eligibility and origin of live cattle through the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Data Management System prior to harvest.
  • Processors must demonstrate their ability to trace SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef products from the live animal of origin to the finished product through processing records.
Quality Assurance
  • Processors must utilize at least one of five pre-approved quality enhancement techniques on the entire carcass.
  • Marbling score will be used to differentiate between base and upper product tiers.
    • Base Tier- equivalent to USDA Select
    • Upper Tier- equivalent to USDA Choice
  • SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef product from each processor will be randomly sampled and tested for tenderness, quality, consistency and improvement over time.
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