 |
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Beef Board Approves $45 Million Checkoff Budget to Continue Demand-Building Efforts in 2002 Amid reports that 10 out of the past 12 economic quarters have boasted increased beef demand, Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB) directors approved a $45 million checkoff budget for fiscal year 2002 to continue demand-building efforts. The action was taken during the Cattle Industry Summer Conference Aug. 5-9 in Denver. The beef demand index, which takes into account such factors as per capita consumption and consumer spending for beef, is up 5 percent in the second quarter of 2001 as compared to the same period in 2000, CBB members and other cattlemen were told during the conference. In 1998, the industry put in place an aggressive business plan focused on delivering more convenient beef products, educating consumers about the bundle of key nutrients found in beef, and working hard to ensure U.S. beef remains safe. "The checkoff can't take all the credit for increasing demand," said Dan Hammond, a beef producer from American Falls, Idaho, and chairman of the CBB. "However, the checkoff has acted as a catalyst for positive change. More than 300 convenient new beef products have been launched since checkoff resources began targeting new product development, consumer attitudes about the nutritional value of beef have improved, and checkoff-developed technologies are in place to further ensure food safety." In an address to the Cattlemen's Beef Board, Hammond commended members for their volunteer efforts to guide the direction of the beef industry, quoting Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." Board members heard the results of the July 2001 producer attitude survey, which were released during the summer meeting. The research shows that 72 percent of beef producers support the beef checkoff program. Further, 93 percent of producers responding to the independent survey, conducted by Aspen Research, said that it was important to them to know how their checkoff dollars are being invested and what the results of those investments are. The FY 2002 checkoff budget approved by members includes funding for programs to be implemented Oct. 1, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2002, including: $23.75 million for promotion, $4.975 million for research, $5.5 million for consumer information, $1.975 million for industry information, $4.555 million for foreign marketing, $1.5 million for producer communications, $150,000 for evaluation, $120,000 for program development, and $2.475 million for administration and USDA oversight. The Beef Promotion Operating Committee, with its 20 producer members representing the Beef Board and state beef councils, must still approve individual checkoff-funded program authorizations and contractors before work can begin. The Operating Committee next meets Sept. 26-27 in Phoenix. In addition, USDA must also approve the budget, each individual program authorization, and each contract before checkoff funds can be expended. |
||||
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
All information is copywrited by Feed Lot magazine and cannot be printed or re-printed without the publishers express consent. Please contact Feed Lot Magazine for reprint and copy authorization. | ||||