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South Dakota Beef Council seeks producer input

PIERRE – Directors who manage the Beef Checkoff Program in South Dakota are anxious to hear from the state’s beef and dairy producers who pay the $1 checkoff. Producers are being encouraged to fill out a survey that asks for their input on the checkoff and its programs. The survey is reaching producers as part of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) regular Checkoff Cafe newsletter. They can also go to http://www.sdbeef.org and complete the survey online.

“We want to get producers involved in the process and engage them more fully in the program that belongs to them,” said SDBIC Executive Director Ron Frederick. Frederick, who also ranches near Mission, SD, suggested the survey to the SDBIC directors as a way to enhance communication with producers. The board agreed.

“Producers are the investors in the checkoff,” said Frederick. “To my knowledge there’s never been a survey of this kind done in the state. I believe that getting input from the producers who are actually paying the checkoff can help us make even better decisions.”



SDBIC directors, he says, are also hoping to get a better picture of the producers who pay into the program with some simple questions asking respondents’ age ranges and general geographic locations. Those completing the surveys are not asked to provide their names.

Frederick asks producers to watch for the Checkoff Cafe in the mail and then take time to complete survey portion and mail it back. “If they prefer not to spend money for a stamp they can complete the online version,” Frederick said.



Survey responses will be summarized, he explained, with results presented to the SDBIC board this summer prior to planning the 2013 fiscal year budget. “We’re hoping for a good response from producers in the state,” Frederick said.

The February 2012 issue of the Checkoff Cafe, which highlights checkoff-funded programs in South Dakota, also includes the 2011 annual report of national as well as state checkoff programs, including financial summaries. Frederick requests that South Dakota beef or dairy producers not receiving the Checkoff Cafe contact the SDBIC office at 605-224-4722, or by e-mailing sdbic@sdbeef.org, so they can be added to the mailing list.

– SDBIC