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South Dakota’s beef promotion budget lowered

The tight cattle supply has resulted in the South Dakota Beef Industry Council trimming more than a quarter-million dollars from its 2015 budget.  The group, which collects and administers the $1 per head checkoff on all cattle sold in South Dakota, approved a budget of $3.48 million for fiscal 2015, compared to $3.75 million passed a year ago.

The council’s board of directors cites fewer checkoff dollars because of the smallest cowherd since 1951, and it may get worse before it gets better.  South Dakota Beef Industry Council Director Wayne Tupper says he expects more heifers to be kept for replacement, which will keep those dollars out of the market, as well.

Half of the dollar checkoff is directed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board for programs on the national level. The state beef council retains 50 cents, which directors can invest on in-state or on national programs.