It was Beef Bowl weekend at South Dakota State University. Barry Dunn, SDSU Dean of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, says the annual event is a way to showcase the state’s cattle production and support the young people going into the industry.

The Beef Bowl also provided the opportunity to recognize several individuals and businesses for their work supporting and promoting beef.

Proceeds from the beef barbeque went to scholarships in the Animal Science department and three steers were auctioned off at halftime to support athletic scholarships.

The event showcased the cattle industry in South Dakota. SDSU Animal Science Department Head Joe Cassady says with more than 17,000 cattle operations in the state the industry has an economic impact of nearly $4.5 billion. The beef industry provides economic activity through trucking, animal feed manufacturing, veterinary services, electric power generation and other indirect services.

In fact, Cassady says the beef industry provides a market for an estimated 44.2 million bushels of corn, 34.5 thousand tons of soybean meal, and 9.8 million tons of forage and grass.

He says consumers also benefit as beef is a nutrient dense protein source that when consumed as recommended can be part of a healthy diet.