Gov. Rounds appoints four new members to the South Dakota Brand Board

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today that he has appointed four new members to the South Dakota Brand Board.  One of the main purposes of the Brand Board is to oversee the state’s livestock inspection program.

“I want to thank all of the nominating organizations for providing an excellent pool of candidates from which to choose,” said Gov. Rounds on the announcement.  “While this group all know the cattle business, they also provide a diverse background of experience which will ensure that the state brand inspection program is administered effectively and efficiently.”

The state brand board consists of five members appointed by the governor. The following individuals have been appointed to the board:

• Bart Blum, a rancher and brand owner from Reliance.
• Tom Conger, a rancher, brand owner and former Brand Board member from Buffalo Gap.
• Mark Kimball, a rancher and brand owner from Platte who has experience with livestock both in and out of the brand inspection area.
• Lyndell Peterson, a rancher, owner of several brands, and former state legislator from Hermosa.

Conger fills a term due to expire in January of 2005.  Blum and current board member Eddie Hamilton of Kimball will fill terms that expire in January of 2006, and Peterson and Kimball will fill terms that expire in January of 2007.

The Brand Board provides for the registration of livestock brands, the inspection of livestock for ownership inspection purposes and for the enforcement of laws pertaining to the inspection, sale, branding, ownership transportation and theft of livestock within the ownership inspection area of western South Dakota.