After serving two terms as vice president, Merrill Karlen of Oacoma has been selected president of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council.  Karlen has been a council director since 2003, representing the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association.

Ed Blair of Vale, representing the South Dakota Farm Bureau, will serve as vice president of the beef industry council, which administers a $1 beef checkoff on cattle sold in South Dakota.  The council says the money is used for promotion, education or research programs.

The new officers took over at the council's annual meeting in Brookings.