Participation Requirements
Following is a general summary of what it takes to be involved in the SDCEC program. For a more detailed discussion, please refer to the Producer Handbook link at the bottom of this page. This handbook provides guidance on the specifics of all program requirements. Producers are also encouraged to attend one of our educational “One-stop Shops” described on the Education and Training page.
Prerequisites
Prior to submitting an application for participation in the SDCEC program, producers must first obtain a valid USDA premises identification number and South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance/Critical Management Plan certification.
Premise ID: This component is essential for verifying the source of enrolled cattle. There is no charge for registering a premises. A Premises Registration Form can be obtained by contacting the South Dakota Animal Industry Board at (605)-773-3321 or by visiting their website at http://www.state.sd.us/aib.
BQA/CMP: The South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance/Critical Management Plan program is also administered by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board. Essentially, the BQA/CMP program incorporates best management practices that help to prevent drug residues, pathogen contamination and carcass blemishes such as injection site lesions and bruises. The cost for BQA/CMP training and certification is $25.00. For more information or to find a scheduled training in your area, contact the South Dakota Animal Industry Board, visit the South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance website at http://www.sdbqa.com, or contact your local extension educator. SD BQA/CMP training is also offered as a component of our One-stop Shops.
Program Specifics
Program requirements are essentially grouped into two categories: Producer Requirements and Cattle Requirements. The Producer Requirements pertain to the producer’s operation and general records management practices. The Cattle Requirements include those requirements that are applied directly to the animal. The Producer and Data Management System Handbooks below contain more detailed information and instructions for meeting program requirements.
Producer Requirements:
- The SDCEC program is only available to South Dakota cattle operations.
- Producers must be licensed with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture through the steps described under “Licensing.”
- Producers must be licensed prior to the birth of cattle that will be enrolled into the SDCEC program.
- Cattle must be enrolled into the SDCEC Data Management System by submitting required information to the Department.
- All transfers of physical possession of enrolled cattle must be reported to the SDCEC Data Management System.
- Program records that must be kept include:
- Birthdate records on an individual or group basis
- Castration records
- Labels for all manufactured feeds fed to enrolled cattle
- Finishing rations
- Transfer Warranty Certificates
- All records must be maintained for five years following the release of enrolled cattle from the operation.
Cattle Requirements:
- Only steers or heifers are eligible; bull calves may be enrolled provided they are castrated prior to 8 months of age.
- No Bos indicus (Brahman) influence breeds are allowed
- Cattle must be tagged with a program compliant RFID tag and enrolled prior to the earlier of weaning or leaving the ranch of origin.
- No food or animal wastes may be fed
- Cattle must be corn finished for at least 100 days prior to slaughter.
- Enrolled cattle are automatically disqualified upon reaching 24 months of age.
Data Management System Handbook 
Questions?
Call the South Dakota Department of Agriculture
1-800-228-5254
toll free in South Dakota
-or-
1-605-773-3724
