Jerry Effertz, a third generation rancher from Velva, has been named to the national Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC). The BPOC is a 20-member producer panel that helps select and fund national beef demand-building programs with monies collected through the beef checkoff, a market development program funded by U.S. beef producers and importers.

Effertz was elected to a one-year term during the 2012 National Cattle Industry Winter Convention and NCBA Trade Show, held Feb. 1-4, in Nashville, Tenn.  He is one of 10 cattlemen representing the Federation of State Beef Councils on the BPOC. The other 10 members are chosen by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB).

The BPOC sets the annual budget and allocates checkoff dollars for beef research, promotion and education programs that help drive national and international demand for beef.

Effertz and his family operate Black Butte Acres Limousin Ranch, a stocker/backgrounder and seedstock operation near Velva. In an effort to educate people about the cattle business and environmental stewardship, the family also owns Black Butte Adventures, which features public farm tours, hiking and biking activities on ranch land.  

Effertz is a board member and former chairman of the North Dakota Beef Commission and a former chairman of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Purebred Council. He is a founding member and former chairman of the state Limousin association, and helped found the eight-state regional Heartland Limousin Association.

At the national level, he is a North Dakota representative on the Federation, a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). He is now a member of the checkoff’s Public Opinion and Issues Management Group/Public Relations Subcommittee and a former member of the Retail Committee.

Effertz is also active in community activities. He is a past president of the state fair board of directors; a former director and chair of the state Board of Ag Research and Education; chairman of the state commission on the Future of Agriculture; and a board member of the N.D. University System Foundation.

Source: ND Beef Commission

Governor Dennis Daugaard is a believer of strongly pushing to further develop the dairy industry in South Dakota.

“We’ve got dairy processing facilities looking to expand in communities across the state, but they need more milk,” the Governor said.  “With the recent announcement that Bel Brands will build a large cheese-processing plant in Brookings, we’re making a concerted effort to expand existing dairy operations and bring new ones to South Dakota.”

The Agricultural Development Division within the South Dakota Department of Agriculture will spearhead the effort, with assistance from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

South Dakota currently has about 90,000 dairy cows, which produced more than 1.8 billion pounds of milk last year. However, to meet the increasing demand for milk over the next several years, South Dakota farmers will need to increase their dairy cattle herds by several thousand head.

“We’ve identified a number of existing dairies with the capacity to expand, and we’re committed to helping South Dakota producers who are planning to grow,” said Agricultural Development Division Director Lucas Lentsch.

Several towns have already expressed interest in having a dairy sited nearby, Lentsch noted.

“Residents of these rural communities understand the value that livestock agriculture brings – not just in increased local economic activity but statewide as value is added to the raw commodities that are produced,” Lentsch said.

South Dakota is an ideal location for dairy operations, Gov. Daugaard said, adding that he’s committed to growing the livestock sector.

“Our reasonable feed costs, favorable tax climate, strong demand for milk, and unwavering support for agriculture make South Dakota a perfect place to expand the dairy industry,” the Governor said. “It’s great to see this type of economic development in South Dakota.”

Source: Office of Governor Daugaard