Argus Leader
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
MITCHELL - The South Dakota Certified Beef program is an opportunity for the state to market its beef as "the finest anywhere" and also generate higher earnings for producers who participate, Gov. Mike Rounds said Tuesday at Dakotafest.
Rounds and Agriculture Secretary Larry Gabriel took advantage of the annual farm show to talk about the state of agriculture and its future to five dozen Dakotafest visitors and listeners of WNAX radio, which conducted and broadcast the forum.
Rounds said consumers will be willing to pay more for the certified beef, the result of producers following certain steps, including detailed record-keeping that includes birth and immunization dates. Many producers already are taking many of those steps anyway, the governor said.
"If we produce the best beef, let's get paid for it," Rounds said.
Gabriel said he visited South Korea and Japan and is confident those nations would be willing to buy South Dakota Certified Beef.
Gabriel and Rounds, who arrived at the farm show in a pickup powered by E85 fuel, also stressed the need for more value-added agriculture products and opportunities.
