Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

BROOKINGS, S.D. - Two individuals, a restaurant and community organization have received special recognition for their efforts in promoting beef and the beef industry.

The South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) honored its 2007 Prime Promoters during its Prime Promoter Award Luncheon. The event was held Sept. 22 in conjunction with the SDBIC annual meeting and South Dakota State University (SDSU) Beef Bowl in Brookings, S.D. Honorees this year include Robbi Pritchard, Eldon Roth, Cabaret Steakhouse and Lounge, and the Mobridge Beef and Fun Day Committee.

Robbi Pritchard

Since coming to SDSU in 1984, Pritchard has established himself as an innovative researcher, instructor and expert in the area of beef feedlot nutrition and management. He is considered one of the top five feedlot nutritionists in the country, and effectively communicates his findings to producers. Named a distinguished professor in 2005, Pritchard has developed a nationally-recognized program in creating nutritional, implant and management strategies that enhance both beef quality and producer profitability. Through his innovative research program, producers are able to utilize the latest technologies without sacrificing the carcass and meat quality attributes in their cattle herds.

Eldon Roth

Roth founded Beef Products, Inc. (BPI) in Dakota Dunes, S.D., in 1981 after developing a method for producing 95 percent lean ground beef from fatty beef trimmings. Today BPI is the world's leading manufacturer of boneless lean beef. Its products are found in the majority of all ground beef produced in the United States. It is estimated that Roth's process has added more than $10 value to every market steer and heifer produced in the United States. The company is a leader in sanitation programs and food safety innovations. BPI has received the Dupont/Qualicon Food Quality Award and the Food Protection Black Pearl Award. Roth was presented with this year's E. Floyd Forbes Award, recognizing the National Meat Association's innovator of the year.

Cabaret Steakhouse and Lounge

The Cabaret Steakhouse and Lounge, Carthage, S.D., is owned by Rich Spurgin and Toni Clarey, and moved more than 16,000 pounds of beef this past year. Diners regularly travel up to 70 miles to eat at the Cabaret, enjoying prime rib, ribeyes, New York strip, T-bone and sirloin steaks along with burgers and beef specialty sandwiches. Last summer, the newly released movie "Into the Wild" was filmed in Carthage, with some scenes shot at the Cabaret. The restaurant served beef dishes for the movie scenes, and served beef to the film crew. To help promote beef, the Cabaret accepts South Dakota Beef Bucks, the Beef Bucks Visa® card, and South Dakota Beef Certificates.

Mobridge Beef and Fun Day Committee

Since 1978, the Mobridge Beef and Fun Day Committee has promoted beef and their business community through the Mobridge Beef and Fun Day. For 30 years, more than 100 Mobridge businesses and professionals each year donate time and money to put on the event, which includes a free beef barbecue plus several other activities. It is estimated that the event has served close to 30,000 pounds of beef in more than 109,000 beef sandwiches to more than 91,000 people. In 2004, a cook-off contest was initiated. Entrants are given beef to cook and the public votes for their favorite entry. Beef certificates are also given to business and professional people who donate money to the event by a certain date.

Nominations for the Prime Promoter Award are accepted each year from the public, and the Prime Promoter Committee makes the final selections.

The SDBIC collects and administers the $1 beef checkoff on cattle sold in South Dakota. Checkoff dollars are utilized strictly for promotion, education or research programs. Fifty cents of every dollar is directed to the Cattlemen's Beef Board for programs on the national level. The SDBIC retains 50 cents, which is invested in additional national programs or in-state programs.

The SDBIC is comprised of three representatives from eight agricultural organizations: South Dakota Beef Breeds Council, South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, South Dakota Cattlemen's Auxiliary, South Dakota CattleWomen, South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation, South Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Livestock Auction Market Association and South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

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