PIERRE, S.D – Time to grill some beef! The summer grilling season is upon us and Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed May as “Beef Month” in South Dakota.
“There are 3.7 million head of cattle in South Dakota, which is nearly five beef animals to every state resident,” Gov. Daugaard stated in the proclamation. “The cattle industry has played a significant role in the history of our state.”
“South Dakota cattle producers rank eighth nationally in cattle and calf production,” said Lucas Lentsch, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture. “The South Dakota Department of Agriculture continues to develop the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ENROLLED CATTLE™ and SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED BEEF™ programs.”
Beef Month observance began more than 40 years ago and recognizes one of the state’s largest economic sectors. The beef industry has a $2.8 billion economic impact on South Dakota.
“Cattle producers have always been a large part of our rural way of life,” Lentsch said. “Beef Month recognizes the hard work our farmers and ranchers put in every day to provide a high quality product for consumers.”
Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating over $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 122,000 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 find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Source: South Dakota Department Of Agriculture
