Dakota Beef to Move Operations

Howard, SD – Dakota Beef, the nation’s leading producer of premium certified organic beef, and North Dakota Natural Beef (NDNB), a growing supplier of natural Angus beef, have entered into a co-packing partnership merging each company’s harvest and fabrication operations. Dakota Beef will begin to process its organic product in NDNB’s facilities effective February 8, 2010.

With its own 150,000-acre, organic Angus ranch located in the high country of Eastern Oregon, Dakota Beef is the largest vertically-integrated organic beef processor in the United States. Certified 100% organic by the United States Department of Agriculture, their products sell under the “Dakota Beef” brand to major retailers and foodservice distributors nationwide.NDNB was established in 2005 as the direct result of a mandate from the North Dakota state legislature forming a Beef System Center of Excellence. North Dakota Natural Beef sells products under the “Dakota Farms” brand name.

Dakota Beef has leased its Howard plant to another beef operator. “We feel pleased that the new tenant seeks to employ much of the former workforce at the Howard facility,” said Daniel Feinberg, CEO of Dakota Beef. “A number of employees at the Howard facility will be offered relocation packages in North Dakota.”

“We have enjoyed the loyalty of the Howard community and have not arrived at this decision easily,” Feinberg added. “Over the last several months we have studied all aspects of a facility renovation and have determined that it would not be cost effective for us. We need to meet increased demand for our products, and NDNB offers excess capacity in their modern, state-of-the-art facilities. We believe the new partnership will enhance Dakota Beef’s ability to supply gourmet organic beef of the highest quality.”