State Receives USDA Designation for Source and Age Verified Cattle
Release Date: January 17, 2006
Five meat processors recently completed training to become licensed in the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ™ Beef Program.
On January 16-17, representatives from Dakota Beef in Howard, Pte Hca Ka in Gettysburg, Howard Cold Storage in Howard, Integrity Meats in Belle Fourche and Butcher Shoppe Meats in Watertown completed processor training conducted by staff from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, South DakotaStateUniversity and the South Dakota Meat Inspection Program.
“This was our third processor training and the enthusiasm for this program continues to grow. The attendees are eager to become licensed and begin processing SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ™ Beef,” said Jafar Karim, director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development. To date, 15 processors have gone through the training program.
With the additional processors now eligible to process SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ™ beef, we anticipate a greater number of cattle to be fed and processed in South Dakota. “This is another tool for our cattlemen to enhance the marketability of their cattle,” said Eric Iversen, South Dakota Department of Agriculture.
The state’s enrolled cattle program recently obtained USDA’s Process Verified Program (PVP) status through AgInfoLink, the state’s data management provider. “While the state is still seeking other export certifications, the PVP status provides greater opportunities for our producers to receive a premium for source and age verified cattle that are being demanded by countries like Japan,” said Secretary of Agriculture Larry Gabriel. “It appears that markets are responding to the value of source and age verified cattle.”
Producers wanting to enroll their 2006 calves must become licensed before the calves are born. According to state rules, beginning in 2006, enrolled cattle always need to be in the possession of a licensed producer. The licensing process includes being BQA certified and receiving a premises identification number through the Animal Industry Board and completing an application and pre-license evaluation with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.
“Our rules are strict---no question about it,” said Iversen. “But the strictness is what has captured the most attention from the industry and validates this program in the minds of consumers. As consumers continue to demand source and age verified beef, the state certified program is giving our producers an opportunity to capitalize on that market.”
To date, over 100 producers and 20 feeders have become licensed in the program with almost 10,000 cattle enrolled since the program began in July of 2005.
