In an effort to promote the nutritional value of beef, the South Dakota Beef Industry Council has hired its first director of nutrition.

Holly Swee, a registered dietician and licensed nutritionist, began her duties with the SDBIC at the end of January.

"With today's concerns about health and obesity, it's very important that we have a professional who can reach doctors, nurses and others in the medical field with science-based information about the nutritional value of beef," said SDBIC President Bob Fortune of Belvidere.

A graduate of Mount Marty College in nutrition and food science, Swee received her dietician and nutritionist credentials in 2002.

She interned in nutrition education positions, and most recently served as healthcare account manager for U.S. Foodservice.

Swee grew up on a livestock operation near Kimball, showing and judging cattle and participating in the South Dakota Beef Cook-off.

She and her husband, Troy, raise cattle outside of Beresford.

South Dakotans can reach Swee by calling the SDBIC office in Pierre at 605-224-4722.