South Dakota Certified Program Continues to Evolve

Posted: 6/8/2012

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: June 8, 2012

Media Contacts: Sarah Jorgensen, 605-773-5436

 

 PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) recently announced changes in the South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle ^TM Program.

The program was initially developed to ensure a quality live cattle source for South Dakota Certified^TM Beef. However, it is apparent that the state’s enrolled cattle program has value on a much broader scale for other age- and source-verified beef programs.

The South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle^TM Program website www.sdcec.sd.gov was recently updated. The website can be used by current South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle^TM producers as well as those looking for more information on the program and producers who wish to re-enroll in the program.

Prior to submitting an application for participation in the South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle^TM program, producers must first have a South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance/Critical Management Plan (BQA/CMP) certification. BQA training will be held during the Ag Exchange in Pierre on June 28-29 and during Dakota Fest in Mitchell on Aug. 21-23.

SDDA has contracted Viewtrack Technologies to rebuild and maintain a data management system that is easy to access and use. Producers will be able to enroll, transfer, and make updates on their cattle through the database. The link to the data base can be found on the home page of www.sdcec.sd.gov 

“This program is a good thing,” said Donald Klinkner, a South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle™ Producer since 2005. “As long as consumers demand to know where their food comes from, producers are going to have to inform them. They can do that by working with a program like the South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle™ Program to ensure a safe and wholesome product.”

For more details please contact Sarah Jorgensen at SDDA at 773-5436.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.