| Purpose | Requirements | Producer List | Program Fees |
Our Program
Purpose
In 2002, soon-to-be Governor M. Michael Rounds campaigned on the idea that keeping more cattle in South Dakota and finishing them on our plentiful corn would give our livestock industry a boost. The resulting opportunities could help retain more young producers and help strengthen our rural economies.
Two and a half years later, in early 2005, Governor Rounds signed the South Dakota Certified Beef Program Act. This act paved the way for the creation of SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef, making South Dakota the first governmenta
l agency to pursue a state initiated beef certification program. The SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef program incorporates state-verified production protocols to ensure a quality, consistent eating experience for consumers.
Along with the development of the criteria for the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef program, it was recognized that many live cattle production practices have a direct impact on beef quality. To help producers capture the value associated with these production practices and to provide a credible source of live cattle for SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef, the South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle™ program was created.
Participation in the South Dakota Certified Enrolled Cattle™ program allows South Dakota producers to market not only their notably high quality cattle, but also the information that helps to qualify those cattle for other nationwide claim-specific branded beef programs.