State cattlemen to meet next month in Sioux Falls

Mandatory country of origin labeling, the beef check-off and market dynamics are among topics to be discussed at the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association's 61st Annual Convention and Trade Show in Sioux Falls on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 2-3.

The event at the Ramkota Convention Center is open to all cattle producers.

Speakers will include Don Stewart of Stewart-Miller in Chicago, who will talk at Wednesday's lunch about the check-off and beef industry issues from the perspective of a beef importer. Stewart also will discuss the impact of mandatory country of origin labeling, according to a news release.

Thursday events include the Cattlemen's College, where attendees will explore current market dynamics and how technology is changing beef production. This session will feature John Lawrence, director of the Iowa Beef Center, and Gary Sides, cattle nutritionist with Pfizer Animal Health.

The SDCA members also will vote on policy positions and elect new officers at the convention.

Black Hills Buffalo Classic to expand classes

RAPID CITY - The Dakota Territory Buffalo Association will expand its 2010 Black Hills Buffalo Classic Show and Sale during the Black Hills Stock Show in February, adding several classes.

Among them is a pen of five yearling heifers, which was added in response to the group's success with larger pen classes at the 2009 event, according to a DTBA news release.

In addition, the following live animal classes will be offered at the 2010 show: single heifer and bull calves; top 10 heifer calves (pens of 10), and top five bull calves (pens of five), single yearling bulls and heifers, and single 2-year-old bred heifers.

Meanwhile, the Young Guns Yearling Bull Challenge is already under way. Those bulls will make the trip back to Rapid City in February and be judged and auctioned during the classic.

The Reality Based Carcass Class is also on tap with classes for both bulls and heifers.

The Black Hills Buffalo Classic Show and Sale and Premium Calf and Yearling Auction will be Feb. 5-7 at the Pennington County Event Center at the Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City. The live animal auction will take place Sunday, Feb. 7.