South Dakota Beef Bucks supporters can now give the gift of beef on a VISA debit card. Accepted anywhere VISA is accepted, the first-of-its-kind debit card can be loaded for $25 to $500 in value for the purchase of beef at any retail outlet, be it grocery stores, restaurants or home-delivery services.

The cards can be loaded anywhere, and reloaded up to the expiration date. The acquisition fee for the BEEF BUCK/VISA card is $4, plus the face value of the card. The cost includes a gift card with an area for your message, and an envelope.

Bob Montross, DeSmet, SD, says the new debit-card program took almost nine months to set up and implement. He adds that the South Dakota Beef Bucks program will continue to offer Beef Bucks' pre-paid checks, which are available in $5, $10 and $20 denominations.

For more information on Beef Bucks, write SD Beef Bucks, Inc., 20732 436th Ave., DeSmet, SD 57231, or call 1-888-640-MEAT (6328).