Right now, country of origin labeling (COOL) is in jeopardy in the farm bill conference. We know that some conferees intend to introduce an amendment shortly that will gut or repeal U.S. COOL.
If this amendment passes, U.S. ranchers will not be able to differentiate their product with a U.S. label and consumer’s will not have the information they need at the point of purchase. The anti-COOL groups and their supporters want U.S. beef to become a generic product of North America.
In reality, there’s nothing more important to a competitive, free market than the ability to differentiate one’s product and that’s what COOL does. There’s nothing more fundamental to giving consumers information about the origin of their beef than COOL.
Why would anyone oppose COOL? We know the truth: we know that opposing COOL has nothing to do with costs because that scare tactic has been dispelled; we know that opposing COOL doesn’t have anything to do with a lack of consumer interest because survey after survey has proven consumers want and deserve country of origin information; we know that opposing COOL has nothing to do with retaliatory tariffs because that worn out scare tactic has also been dispelled.
Giving consumers choices empowers them and allowing U.S. producers to differentiate their product empowers them. Isn’t that what competitive free markets should do, empower both the seller and buyer — that’s the American way.
Now is the time to take a stand for COOL and there’s no time to waste. Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for Rep. Kristi Noem’s office. Rep. Noem is a farm bill conferee. Ask her to pick up the torch and represent South Dakota cattle producers by rejecting any amendment to the farm bill that would alter or repeal COOL and urging her fellow Congressional delegates to speak up also in favor of COOL. Make no mistake about it, the fate of COOL will be decided by those elected officials taking a leadership role.
Danni Beere
Keldron, SD
Danni, along with her husband, ranches and farms at Keldron. She has been an advocate for South Dakota ranchers and consumers and is a Director on United States Cattlemen’s Association Board.

As we turn toward the beginning of the upcoming legislative session, I’m looking forward to serving the people of District 8 and working with my fellow legislators.  It’s truly a humbling honor to have been appointed to the state senate and while there, I hope to provide purpose, direction and motivation for our state government through the public policy process.
Real and sincere leadership is a disappearing practice and too often integrity has been left at the doorsteps of the capitol.  I want to serve as an ethical standard bearer and make the privilege of public service meaningful so people can believe in those who represent them.
I believe in courage, candor, competence, and commitment. I think my constituents believe in these same ideas, beliefs and values, so they can expect this type of service from me. The people of District 8 and South Dakota believe in certain values and they want to see those same values embodied in those who represent them.
Throughout this next legislative session, I’m planning to bring these values with me to the capitol so that I can effectively listen, advocate, help our communities and families grow, and make decisions and solve problems that we grapple with here in our own hometowns and around the state.
The outpouring of support over the past few weeks since my appointment has been tremendous and I really appreciate the support that our communities have offered.  I want to thank everybody that has helped me prepare for the upcoming session by offering their perspectives on potential legislation on how to make state government more responsive, flexible and helpful to South Dakotans.
Senator Jones

Rep. Leslie Heinemann, District 8

Greetings to all and best wishes for a great new year!
As we begin the second legislative session of my two-year term, I look forward to addressing the various interesting issues that will come before us. I’ll name a few, but the list becomes quite lengthy by the time March gets here.
The death penalty repeal, nonmeandered waters, Medicaid expansion, school funding (PSA), as well as a host of Agency bills are just the beginning of the topics we will be discussing. I would like and appreciate your input on the issues that you deem important to you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.
This past summer I served on the Governor’s Employment Works Task Force, a committee set up to improve the employment opportunities for disadvantaged/disabled individuals in our work force. We met several times in Pierre and submitted a report with recommendations to the Governor.
I also was appointed to the Watershed Task Force, a three-year committee created by the legislature to study and take public input on what we can do to address the issues created when problems develop over water release and/or retention. This committee will divide into subgroups this coming year, after hearing large volumes of public testimony, and attempt to come up with ways to deal with the complex water issues our state has faced recently. I don’t expect any proposed legislation this session.
The third committee I was proud to be able to be a part of was the Quasquicentennial Commission, a group of nine people appointed by the Governor to plan the upcoming 125th  anniversary celebration of South Dakota’s statehood. We have met several times and have taken suggestions from the public, then prioritized them with a report to the Governor as to what we and the public would like to see done as part of this celebration. I had sponsored the resolution in last year’s legislative session, so was glad I could follow through with everyone’s ideas and hopefully, have an exciting finish to the state’s official birthday on Nov. 2, 2014.
You can contact me at Rep.Heinemann@state.sd.us or my home number is 605-997-2654. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you. We have a cracker barrel scheduled in Flandreau and Madison on Feb. 8, so plan to attend, if you can.