Sec. of Ag. Tom Vilsack Appoints two South Dakota Farmers Union Members to Serve on Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board

December 23, 2015 – By #South Dakota Farmer Union

Two S.D. Farmers Union members were appointed by Sec. of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack Dec. 22, 2015, to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, they are Union Center rancher, Tammy Basel and Frederick cattleman, Eric Sumption.

 “Secretary Vilsack made a good choice. Tammy and Eric live and breathe the cattle industry. Combined, they have extensive experience in all areas of the cattle industry as well as experience in promoting the industry by serving on state and national boards,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

 Farmers Union is one of the organizations which nominated Basel and Sumption, the two South Dakotan cattle producers appointed to serve with 100 producers from across the nation.

“As a cattle producer, I believe that I need to do my part in promoting our product because consumers need to know that U.S. beef is not only safe, but healthy to consume,” said Basel, a fourth-generation South Dakota cattle and sheep producer who ranches with her husband, Dallis and two sons on the land her grandmother homesteaded.

 Prior to this appointment, Basel served two terms on the Grain Inspection Packer & Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) Grain Standard Committee. She is a lifetime member of South Dakota Farmers Union and volunteers her time with South Dakota Cattlewomen an auxiliary of South Dakota Stockgrowers to help educate South Dakota consumers on the health benefits of consuming beef.

 “I passionate about working to inform consumers about heart-healthy cuts of beef. I love seeing folks smile when they learn that by choosing heart-healthy cuts they can continue to eat beef and don’t have to limit their menu to chicken and fish,” Basel said.

 Sumption echoes Basel’s passion for education. Currently serving as the Vice President of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council, Sumption looks forward to sharing what he learns about the national board with South Dakota cattle producers.

 “All cattle producers pay into the Beef Checkoff, so cattle producers often ask me how their dollars are spent out of state. Now, I’ll have an insider’s view and the opportunity to impact how the dollars are spent on a national level,” said Sumption, who farms with his four brothers on their crop and livestock farm. “I will work to ensure that the dollars spent benefit every aspect of the cattle industry.”

 Unique to most South Dakota cattle producers, Sumption and his brother’s cattle operation is multi-faceted, from cow/calf to finishing.

 “I see the every side of cattle production – from cow/calf to finishing. Many South Dakota producers are cow/calf operators, but they never see their calf taken all the way to the marketplace,” said Sumption, who will become S.D. Beef Industry Council President in 2017 once he his term as Vice President is complete.

 More about the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board

The 100-member board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The Secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy, and importers-certified organizations.  The board contracts with established national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications.