A notable 70 percent of beef producers support the $1-per-head Beef Checkoff Program, according to recent research.

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Chairman Nelson Curry told Cattle Industry Summer Conference participants that July 2004 research indicates that a full 70 percent of cattlemen approve of the beef checkoff – on par with research conducted in January 2004, when the checkoff garnered a 69 percent approval rating.Current research shows that only 19 percent of cattlemen disapprove of the checkoff, while 10 percent are undecided or neutral.

“Continued support for the Beef Checkoff Program is encouraging,” said Curry.“But what’s even more encouraging is the fact that producers who say they strongly support the program has climbed 14 points since January 2003.An impressive 35 percent strongly approve.”

When prompted, 67 percent of producers surveyed said they believed the beef checkoff played a role in handling activists and issues in the media, such as BSE.

“The beef checkoff has never served a more critical purpose,” said Curry.“The checkoff has, since Dec. 23, been out there putting accurate, science-based information in the hands of media and consumers. Continued consumer confidence in beef and growth in beef demand can be attributed, at least in part, to these efforts.” ©