July 6, 2004 Horizon Organic Executive Joins Dakota Beef!
	July 1, 2004 Dakota Beef in USA Today!
	June 25, 2004 Meat processing plant hopes to be open before August
	May 10, 2004 Exec transfers his skill to organic beef startup
	May 5, 2004 Organic Takes Center Stage In Chicago New Organic Meat, Low-Carb & Convenience Foods Premier at All Things Organic™
	May 5, 2004 New products whittle away the carbs
	April 28, 2004 Dakota Beef commits to Heifer International as Corporate Sponsor
	March 12, 2004 Dakota Beef Announces the Appointment of Steve Lavey as Executive Vice President And Chief Financial Officer
	March 1, 2004 Dakota Beef signs with Hain Celestial for Organic Baby Food Line
	December 30, 2003 Massachusetts Architect to Design Organic Feed Facility
	December 27, 2003 Dakota Beef responds to Mad Cow Crisis
	October 14, 2003 The acquisition of the company's first of three planned processing facilities in Howard, South Dakota.   Full Text Below
	June 27, 2003 Dakota Beef Applauds McDonald's Antibiotic Reduction Policy
	May 26. 2003 No BSE found in organic livestock production.
	May 21, 2003 Dakota Beef Supports Efforts to Contain Mad Cow Disease in Canada
	May 15, 2003 Dakota Beef Goes Global to Encourage Domestic Organic Beef Production.

Dakota Beef responds to Mad Cow Crisis

Dakota Beef Announces First 100% Organic Facility

Chicago, Illinois - October 14, 2003 - Dakota Beef Company, LLC today announced the acquisition of the company's first of three planned processing facilities in Howard, South Dakota. The 20,000 square-foot plant, originally owned by Minneapolis-based Ellis Meats, is expected to finalize organic certification by International Certification Services, Inc. and begin limited production of 100 % certified organic beef in the Spring of 2004.

We believe this purchase makes Dakota Beef the largest 100% organic beef processor in the country, explained Mr. Scott Lively, president and CEO of the company. The plant has the capacity to process more than 80 head of cattle a day, delivering approximately 70,000 lbs. of 100% organic beef products daily.

Dakota Beef will spend the next 90 days meeting with investment bankers and various financial institutions, while investigating the purchase of two additional plants by the end of this year.

The Howard facility closed during the 1990s, when Ellis Meats consolidated operations to their Pipestone, MN plant. At the time, the company processed ground beef and steaks for two national restaurant chains and provided more than 40 jobs to the local economy.

Meat science and food safety has greatly advanced since this plant ceased operations, says Mr. Lively. We are taking advantage of these new technologies by investing in the highest quality, state-of-the-art equipment available to deliver the safest and freshest organic beef products to consumers. Spearheading the retrofit is QED, a meat processing technology company whose system utilizes the most advanced food safety standards in the world.

While the majority of the production schedule is devoted to Dakota Beef's private label customers, the Howard facility will also be available to other organic beef companies. This will allow Dakota Beef to get full value from the Howard facility while improving the organic beef market nation-wide, Scott added.

Dakota Beef is working with International Certification Services, Inc., (Medina, ND) for their organic certification in both the required USDA National Organic Program and the voluntary Farm Verified Organic international label program.

Dakota Beef Company is a fully integrated beef processing company producing private label certified organic beef for both the retail and food service industries. Additional information can be found at www.dakotabeefcompany.com

^ back to top