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The Cattlemen’s Beef Board

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board

The Cattlemen's Beef Board is responsible for overseeing the collection of the Beef Checkoff and funding of Checkoff programs.

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The Checkoff

The Checkoff

The Beef Checkoff program is a producer-funded marketing and research program designed to increase domestic and/or international demand for beef.

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Frequently Asked Questions

U.S. beef farmers and ranchers are committed to continuous improvement to the land, water and health of their animals, producing high-quality beef for decades. As a result, the U.S. leads the world in greener solutions in beef production, with the lowest beef greenhouse gas emissions intensity globally since 1996.123 By focusing on the well-being of the land, their livestock, and their local communities, beef producers have enhanced efficiency while conserving the natural resources under their care.

Built on Three Pillars

Sustainability can be a broadly used term, most often associated with environmental efforts – but smarter, greener practices extend beyond that, balancing three pillars: social responsibility, economic viability and environmental stewardship. Together, these pillars highlight how beef farmers and ranchers lead with purpose.

  • Environmental Stewardship: Between 1961 and 2019, U.S. beef producers have reduced greenhouse gas emissions per pound of beef by over 40 percent while producing 75 percent more beef per animal.12345
  • Economic Viability: Sustainable operations are also smart business. By improving efficiency, producers are increasing profitability while feeding more people.
  • Social Responsibility: The beef community strengthens rural economies, improves livelihoods, and upholds traditions. It’s about family, neighbors and legacy.

These pillars are being implemented daily on the farm and ranch, positioning U.S. beef producers as global leaders in responsible beef production. Many ranchers actively enhance wildlife habitat and improve the health of their rangeland, and as caretakers of nearly one-third of all U.S. land,6 preserving ecosystems isn’t just a responsibility, it’s a way of life.

Consumer Education and Outreach

Just as beef producers have long prioritized raising cattle with care and common sense, the Beef Checkoff has mirrored that commitment, working to drive demand for beef and build consumer confidence in beef and beef products. Consumer perception of beef remains high, with more than 90 percent of consumers expressing a positive to neutral perception of beef as a protein.7 Still, when making a purchasing decision, 70 percent of consumers consider how an animal is raised.7 This data proves that sharing the sustainability story remains crucial. That’s why the Beef Checkoff continues to communicate the positive, measurable efforts of beef farmers and ranchers.

Firstly, all sustainability information shared with consumer audiences is backed by science. The Beef Checkoff funds research that proves how, when properly managed, cattle operations can improve soil health, support carbon sequestration and protect native grasslands. This Checkoff-funded research defends beef’s reputation when misinformation is shared or there’s environmental scrutiny.

From there, the Beef Checkoff takes a proactive approach, staying ahead of issues that could impact consumer perceptions through a two-pronged education and outreach effort. The ultimate goal is to connect and engage with people before false or misguided information about beef production practices spreads. Then, the Checkoff can share the research-backed facts.

Here are just a few examples of what the Beef Checkoff does to educate and inform others about beef production:

  • Developing educational units for middle and high schools: By connecting with young minds, the Checkoff can educate tomorrow’s beef consumers today. Educational units focus specifically on greenhouse gases and cattle, as well as general beef production and genetics.
  • Hosting On The Farm STEM events: The Beef Checkoff funds annual educator immersion events designed to bring inner city teachers to real, working farms to learn about beef production.
  • Taking part in New York City Climate Week: Beef is an active voice during Climate Week, the largest global climate event. Checkoff-funded It’s What’s For Dinner. hosts webinars and shares resources on how beef can be a climate-smart food and provides science on emissions.
  • Collaborating with the Beef Expert Network: The 50 influencers who make up the Checkoff’s Beef Expert Network are all passionate about sharing beef’s story and connecting with their audiences to address misinformation surrounding beef.
  • Sharing information via digital campaigns: Checkoff-funded digital campaigns on Connect TV, YouTube, websites and social platforms encourage consumers to rethink the ranch. Real beef producers share their beef stories and how they care for their cattle and land through series like “Voices of the Outdoors.” This video series connects ranchers with outdoor enthusiasts, and they come together over their shared belief in taking care of the land.

The Beef Checkoff is working to make sure folks hear the real story about how farmers and ranchers raise beef – honest, transparent and straight from the pasture. It’s about showing the care and commitment that is put in every day. Want the facts? Visit beefresearch.org to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ranchers already know raising cattle protects the land, but many consumers don’t. That’s why the Checkoff-funded Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. is investing in stories like this — filmed at VanWinkle Ranch in Colorado — to show how ranchers and conservationists work together. Watch how this episode of “Voices of the Outdoors” helps bridge the gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

For beef producers, ensuring a secure and safe beef supply is more than a responsibility — it’s a commitment to consumers who trust the beef they purchase is of the highest quality. Biosecurity is an essential part of this commitment, as it helps protect cattle health and welfare, maintains product quality, and ultimately, supports consumer trust.

GROWING CONSUMER TRUST

Biosecurity aims to protect animals from disease by minimizing the movement of biological organisms, such as viruses, bacteria or parasites, within or onto an operation. This, in turn, promotes animal health and welfare and minimizes the time and labor resources required to treat a sick animal.

For Julia Herman, beef cattle specialist veterinarian with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, a solid biosecurity plan directly impacts consumer confidence. “Consumers care about the welfare of the animals they’re feeding to their families,” Herman said. “Biosecurity plays a huge role in reducing disease risk, both for the animals and the humans caring for them.”

Biosecurity practices include much more than cleaning equipment. Sanitation is just one part of biosecurity’s holistic view of herd health that incorporates nutrition, vaccination programs and low-stress handling — all of which contribute to a disease-free environment.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Over the years, biosecurity practices in the beef industry have advanced significantly. Herman notes that many biosecurity strategies draw lessons from other industries and human health, helping shape current biosecurity practices by emphasizing proactive, preventive measures. “Biosecurity is a mindset, not just a task. Continuous improvement is key,” she said.

To encourage producers to adopt or strengthen their operations’ biosecurity plans, a newly released Beef Checkoff-funded biosecurity plan offers a customizable, practical approach to biosecurity that aligns with each operation’s unique needs and goals.

The BQA Daily Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention is a customizable biosecurity plan that goes beyond just guidelines. The plan fosters a culture of biosecurity in each operation and empowers producers to take a proactive role in preventing disease, which protects cattle health and can lead to other benefits.

“Biosecurity can be as in-depth or as simple as producers want it to be,” Herman said. “When it comes down to it, prevention is better than treatment, helping producers save money in the long run.”

While biosecurity adoption may be a gradual process for some producers, it will play an increasingly central role in the beef industry. Even small-scale producers are beginning to recognize the benefits of adopting biosecurity practices, particularly as they see the positive impact on their operations and consumer perception. “If everyone in the beef industry follows basic biosecurity protocols, it can help us all and strengthens the industry as a whole,” Herman said.

BIOSECURITY IMPLEMENTATION

To implement the custom biosecurity plan effectively, Herman recommends first thoroughly reviewing the plan and tailoring it to fit an operation’s specific needs. “Every operation is different, so producers should consult with their resource groups, like veterinarians or extension specialists, to get a second set of eyes on the plan,” she said.

Producers are encouraged to consider practical, easy-to-implement biosecurity steps, such as designating a parking area for visitors to minimize contamination, adjusting traffic patterns within the operation or quarantining new additions to the herd. These small changes can have a significant impact and are easy to integrate into daily routines.

BEEF CRISIS

If, unfortunately, a disease outbreak were to happen, the Beef Checkoff is ready to take action by preparing for the unexpected. The Checkoff can quickly provide consumers and producers with the information they need if there is ever a disease outbreak, bioterrorism attack or any other crisis that could potentially disrupt the beef industry or consumer confidence in beef.

The Checkoff is continuously evolving and updating its comprehensive, industry-wide crisis communications response plan should a cattle disease outbreak or other crisis take place in the future. Continually reassessing this plan ensures the information within is as substantive as possible while also reflecting today’s latest technology.

One element of the overarching comprehensive crisis response plan is working in coalition with the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Cross-Species team. The team helps to manage a website, FMDinfo.org, that would be activated in a time of crisis in cooperation with other industry organizations. The goal of this partnership and its website is to provide clear, factual and easily accessible information about foot- and-mouth disease if an outbreak were to occur.

As well as working with the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Cross-Species team, the Checkoff would also represent the beef industry in
the event of an outbreak, and it has developed proactive crisis communication processes, strategies and tactics to follow if necessary.

ACCESS RESOURCES

By embracing biosecurity as a core part of your operation, you can not only protect your herd but also help maintain a secure beef supply that consumers can trust.

For producers interested in taking the next step, the Beef Checkoff provides resources and tools, including the custom biosecurity plan and Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) modules, to support effective biosecurity practices. To access these resources, visit www.bqa.org/resources/biosecurity-resources

BQA DAILY BIOSECURITY PLAN FOR DISEASE PREVENTION

This free, downloadable template helps cattle producers create a customizable daily biosecurity plan for their operations. Meant to be filled out with a veterinarian or other resource team member, this plan walks producers through the different areas of biosecurity risk, evaluate what they are doing now, and plan for what to improve in the future. The template is available digitally as a fillable PDF or can be printed out for handwritten plans.

BQA CONTINUING EDUCATION MODULE ON BIOSECURITY

For producers already BQA certified, BQA’s Continuing Education module on biosecuroty focuses on the basics of disease transmission and prevention. These resources were developed so anyone who is involved in raising cattle has the opportunity to understand how biosecurity principles are integrated into their farm or ranch and plan for continuous improvement in the future. Interactive and real-world best practice examples are provided for a variety of topics, such as new bull or replacement purchases and manure management to reduce feed contamination, among others. Participants also walk through and fill out the BQA Daily Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Quite a bit has changed and evolved over the years in both the beef and dairy industries. There are much larger operations, fewer small, family-owned dairies, computerized milking technology and evolving consumer preferences. Another major difference is that dairy cattle have become an integral part of the mix in the beef supply chain.

As time goes on, beef and dairy are becoming more and more integrated, with beef-on-dairy cattle making up seven percent of cattle slaughter in 2022, equivalent to 2.6 million head8. Projections suggest this could rise to 15 percent of cattle slaughter by 2026. Beef-on-dairy crossbreeding is not a new concept; however, it has become increasingly popular in the dairy industry in recent years. Dairy producers in the U.S. are breeding their dairy herds to beef bulls to make a more profitable, higher-quality product for the beef industry. With increasingly volatile milk prices, maintaining cash flow by breeding beef-on-dairy calves is highly valuable for the producer.

Currently, there is a good understanding within the industry of the value behind finished dairy steers, native cattle and even cull cows, but the Beef Checkoff works to provide a complete, clear picture of this growing trend’s effects on various aspects of the beef industry.

Checkoff-Funded Research

As more dairy producers explore beef-on-dairy to enhance calf marketability, Checkoff-funded research becomes critical in evaluating the trend’s impact on profitability, meat quality and even retail display appeal, among other considerations. Through research studies, the Beef Checkoff aims to provide producers and industry leaders with data-driven insights, ensuring that beef-on-dairy calves benefit the entire beef supply chain and meet consumer expectations for quality. The following Checkoff-funded beef-on-dairy research studies explore different aspects of the beef-on-dairy trend.

Understanding the Influence of the Beef-on-Dairy Crossbred Calves on Subprimal Yields and Three-Dimensional Shapes of Various Beef Muscles

In this study, researchers found that beef-on-dairy crossbred carcasses demonstrate good value, particularly in middle meats like tenderloin, ribeye roll and striploin, due to high side-weight percentages and favorable yield and marbling scores compared to traditional beef breeds. Meat quality evaluations showed that beef-on-dairy products are color-stable, qualify as USDA “very tender,” and are likely to offer consumers a positive eating experience.

Understanding the Effect of Phenotype Expression in the Dairy Beef Model on Beef Quality

This study evaluated how visual breed characteristics in crossbred beef-on-dairy cattle (ranging from dairy-like to beef-like appearances) impact carcass traits and eating quality. Findings indicated that, despite visual differences, there were minimal differences in carcass performance and eating quality across phenotypes, with no significant variations in tenderness, juiciness or flavor. These results suggest that dairy-influenced traits in crossbreds do not detract from the product’s marketability, offering consistent quality.

Understanding the Influence of Beef-on-Dairy Crossbred Cattle on Eating Quality, Retail Display and Chemical Composition in Beef Strip Loins

This study found that beef-on-dairy crossbred cattle produce carcasses with intermediate qualities between native beef and dairy cattle, combining favorable characteristics of both types. These crossbreds exhibited muscling, carcass length and retail display attributes similar to native beef while maintaining tenderness and flavor qualities closer to dairy cattle. As beef-on-dairy crossbreds increase in the market, their beneficial traits could add value to dairy farmers, feeders and packers within the U.S. fed-beef industry.

Suitability of Beef x Dairy Crosses as Moderate-sized Subprimal Alternatives for the Foodservice Industry

This study found that beef x dairy crossbred carcasses generally matched the yields, steak sizes and consumer acceptance of traditional beef, showing no disadvantage in tenderness, flavor or juiciness. While beef x dairy tenderloins were slightly smaller, overall subprimal and steak yields were consistent across both groups. These results suggest beef x dairy cattle could offer a valuable option in the beef supply without compromising quality, potentially benefiting both dairy and beef sectors economically.

Utilizing the F94L Myostatin Gene in Beef-on-Dairy Breeding Systems to Increase Carcass Value and Improve Beef Profitability

The study found that using the F94L myostatin allele—a genetic variant that enhances muscle growth—in a beef-on-dairy system improved muscling, ribeye symmetry, yield grade and retail yield without affecting calving ease or growth performance. While marbling scores were slightly reduced, steak palatability remained largely unchanged, suggesting that F94L can address carcass deficiencies in dairy-cross cattle. Selecting sires with the F94L allele could be a valuable strategy for enhancing beef quality in the dairy sector.

Producer Involvement

Dairy producers who sell cattle and calves end up paying two Checkoffs – the Dairy Checkoff and the Beef Checkoff. The contributions help further not only the research above, but also beef promotion and education to drive demand for beef products. Because dairy producers pay into the Beef Checkoff, representatives also serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, making Beef Checkoff decisions. Dairy producers comprise approximately 12 percent of the seats on the 99-member producer- and importer-led board.

Beyond the national board, dairy producers also serve on state beef council boards. Jack Hoekstra, a third-generation dairyman born and raised in Oakdale, California, currently serves on the California Beef Council and is a partner in the Hoekstra Dairy and Oakdale Calf Ranch with his brother.

For Hoekstra, integrating beef into his dairy operation started as a way to add value to his bull calves. He began experimenting with crossbreeding more than 20 years ago, seeking ways to maximize the worth of calves.

“We’ve been experimenting with beef-on-dairy for quite a while,” Hoekstra said. “We were actually doing some crossbreeding within our dairy breed and then getting these steer calves on the ground, trying to make them worth a little bit more. It evolved into getting into a calf ranch, raising calves ourselves and actually buying calves from outside sources, too.”

Hoekstra’s experience has shown him that crossbreeding brings both production and health benefits. “Anytime you crossbreed a little bit, you do get a healthier calf,” he said, noting that the improvement in health has also led to production savings.

Looking ahead, Hoekstra is confident that the beef-on-dairy trend will continue to grow. He believes it is here to stay, partly due to the current shortage of cattle in the U.S., which drives up demand for high-quality beef calves from dairy operations. “Dairymen like to get a high price for their dairy bull calf… it’s really helped the dairyman cash flow for the last couple of years.”

Hoekstra also sees the value in collaboration between the beef and dairy industries, emphasizing the shared goal of producing quality food. “I think just working together to ensure that what we produce is high quality is important. It has an added benefit to everything, and quality sells,” he said.

As a producer paying into the Beef Checkoff, Hoekstra also appreciates the Checkoff’s efforts to give producers a voice and works to promote beef and build relationships with major buyers. “We have a person who can go to the major restaurant chains and supermarket chains. It’s great that we have someone out there establishing those relationships for us, among other things,” Hoekstra said.

Dairy farmers and beef producers are neighbors, often sharing the same values, challenges and opportunities. Through the Beef Checkoff, these industries work together to fund vital research, promote beef products and build trust with consumers. As the beef-on-dairy trend continues to grow, this united approach will help meet market demands, enhance beef quality and drive value for both beef and dairy producers, ensuring a strong, integrated beef marketplace for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ryan Moorhouse

Beef Country is in my blood. My wife and I live in Amarillo now, but I grew up near Benjamin in North Central Texas on my grandfather’s cow-calf and stocker operation. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1998, I went to work in the feedyards just to learn more about the beef industry and ended up making a career with Five Rivers Cattle Feeding. Today, in addition to working at Five Rivers, I also manage my portion of the family’s dryland wheat and grass stocker operation with a business partner.

One thing I’ve learned over my years in this industry is that there is a need for producers to stand up and let their voices be heard. As the current vice chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB), I’m able to help represent all phases of the industry, from cow-calf to cattle feeder, using my experience to help promote beef. I try to talk with producers all over the country – generational or new to the business – and understand their points of view.

When those producers learn about my role on the CBB, we often end up discussing the Beef Checkoff. We ask you to invest your hard-earned money to advance the entire beef industry, so many of you want to share your opinions about the Checkoff and its value. Lately, I’ve been referring producers to the results of the recent independent, third-party return on investment (ROI) study.

Every five years, all U.S. commodity boards commission an independent study to evaluate their programs’ effectiveness, a requirement of the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversight of these programs. Even if the CBB wasn’t required to commission this study, this information is essential. You wouldn’t invest money without expecting – and deserving – updates on your investment’s performance. Checkoff investments should be no different.

Released in early July, the latest ROI study, conducted by Dr. Harry Kaiser of Cornell University, found that each dollar invested in national Beef Checkoff demand-driving activities from 2019 to 2023 positively impacted domestic beef demand and U.S. beef exports. In fact, it created a total financial benefit of $13.41 for producers and importers who paid into the program.

Dr. Kaiser’s analysis also examined what beef demand would have been over the past five years without investments in the national Beef Checkoff. The study found that total domestic beef demand would have been 8.5% lower per year, steer prices would have been 7.8% lower per year and U.S. export beef demand would have been 11.5% lower. All in all, the national Beef Checkoff added an incremental $3.3 billion to the beef industry in 2023 alone. That $3.3 billion also had positive indirect effects by adding $4.1 billion to the U.S. economy and generating a nearly $9.5 billion increase in the U.S. GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

CBB’s hope is that the study’s findings will give more producers confidence in the Beef Checkoff and help you all trust that we’re spending your money wisely. We want producers to know that by investing our national Checkoff dollars into bigger and better demand-driving promotional, research and educational programs, we’re creating opportunities to increase overall revenue for those who pay into the program, which can lead to greater financial benefits for everyone involved over time.

But the value of the ROI study doesn’t end there. The CBB takes this data very seriously, and while a return of $13.41 sounds great, we want to do even better. The ROI study isn’t simply a platform for the CBB and the national Beef Checkoff to rest upon. It gives us information that we can use, in coordination with organizational long-term goals and the strategic initiatives of the Beef Industry Long Range Plan (LRP), to help shape current and future national Beef Checkoff programs.

As we move into the last month of FY 2024 and begin allocating national Beef Checkoff program funds for FY 2025, the ROI study’s data will be a tool to help make the best possible decisions on behalf of beef producers and importers – with the goal that those decisions will continue to propel the industry forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Science teachers on farms? Yep, it’s happening. An On The Farm STEM event in Kentucky, hosted by Beef Checkoff contractor, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (AFBFA), offered teachers a chance to see beef producers in action. Now, they’re taking that experience back to their classrooms to show the next generation what it means to produce beef the right way. By connecting with the young minds of schoolchildren through their teachers, the Beef Checkoff engages with tomorrow’s beef consumers today.

Agriculture Meets Education

This summer, 25 educators — including classroom teachers, district leaders, university professors and representatives from partner organizations — participated in a three-and-a-half-day immersive beef production experience in Kentucky. The group, representing 20 states and a diverse range of educational environments — from rural, suburban K-12 schools to urban and post-secondary institutions — gained valuable insights into the beef industry.

Attendees visited Branch View Angus, the University of Kentucky, Eden Shale Farm, Blue Grass Stockyards and What Chefs Want, a wholesale restaurant food distributor. Prior to the event, participants attended virtual webinars on ‘Science Through the Lens of Agriculture,’ ‘Exploring Sensemaking Using Topics in Agriculture’ and ‘Using Agriculture Topics to Drive Learning in Science.’

These tours and webinars offered educators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of equitable, three-dimensional learning within the context of agriculture, helping them integrate agricultural concepts into diverse educational settings.

“We aim for educators to recognize the importance of food and agriculture in science education, gain confidence in implementing next generation science standards-aligned practices and summarize agricultural systems,” said Brian Beierle, the science and education lead for AFBFA. “Ultimately, the goal was for educators to leave with a concrete plan to incorporate agriculture-based, specifically beef-funded agriculture resources into their classrooms within a year.”

In a post-event survey, participants rated their experience highly, giving it an average score of 4.8 out of 5. Most reported a significant increase in their understanding of beef production as a result of the event. Before the event, only 12 percent of participants held a positive view of how cattle are raised. However, following the On The Farm STEM experience, that number soared to 75 percent, with participants expressing a ‘strongly positive’ perception of cattle production practices.

“The most impactful thing was to see individuals who are experts in what they do, to have the opportunity to see what they do, to hear how they do it and to learn from them,” one event participant said. Another said, “The event gave a complete picture of the beef industry, from birth to shelf – and all the environmental impacts were addressed.”

Program Growth

Originally, On the Farm STEM began as an event for children’s book authors. However, as AFBFA identified educational needs, they recognized the potential for an immersive experience connecting educators to the science behind beef production, efficiency, sustainability and resilience in agriculture. The demand for On The Farm STEM events has skyrocketed, with a 325 percent increase in applications since 2020.

Early iterations of the event focused primarily on tours, but the program has since evolved into a balanced blend of hands-on experiences and academic support. “We now work closely with educators to tailor the experience to their local curriculum demands and provide them with resources for direct implementation,” Beierle said.

Also, the program has grown to include state-level events. Events took place last summer in New York, Colorado and Kansas, with plans to equip more state beef councils to partner with educational agencies at the local level to further scale the event.

“Today, the program is regarded as a leading professional development opportunity for teachers, meeting the evolving needs of educational systems,” Beierle said. “On top of that, the program opens doors for students — through their teachers — to college and career pathways they might not have otherwise known about. This can lead to some pretty significant outcomes: a more diverse future workforce, more room for innovation and future consumers who are better equipped to navigate conflicting claims. It’s all about opening dialogue between agricultural communities and education to create lasting, beneficial partnerships.”

For more information about the On The Farm STEM experience visit www.onthefarmstem.com

Frequently Asked Questions

While beef safety is still of utmost importance to industry stakeholders, research shows that it’s less relevant to today’s consumers. Consumers feel this way because they are confident about the safety of the beef products they buy at the store and cook at home, and this confidence can be attributed in part to Checkoff-funded beef safety research.

Ninety percent of consumers feel the beef they eat from the grocery store is safe, and of the top cooking concerns at home, foodborne illness concerns only 23 percent of consumers 9. Today, consumers’ main considerations when purchasing proteins are taste, cost, and whether it’s a good value for the investment and nutrition 10.

While consumers expect beef to be safe, the Beef Checkoff must foster and maintain that consumer confidence by continuing proactive beef safety research. With reliable food safety standards, beef is preserved as a preferred protein.

Here’s how the Beef Checkoff works to enhance beef safety measures.

Driving Progress

The Beef Checkoff has been at the forefront of developing solutions. During the 2000s, several ongoing Checkoff-funded studies evaluated interventions intended to reduce microbial contamination both on and inside animals. The Beef Checkoff’s research identified specific areas where carcass contamination was most likely to occur, making it possible to better target contamination prevention efforts. Thanks to Beef Checkoff dollars, scientists were able to evaluate the occurrence and prevention of pathogens throughout the processing chain. Processing facilities across the country implemented these safety interventions on a large scale, and they’re still utilized in processing beef and other proteins today. This Checkoff-funded research played a critical role in informing improvements in protein safety across the supply chain.

In 2007, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) set a goal to reduce infections from foodborne E. coli O157:H7 by 50 percent by 2010. The CDC met this “Healthy People” goal a year early in 2009, a feat that would have been much less likely to happen without the research and efforts conducted by the Beef Checkoff and the beef industry. The prevalence of Salmonella has also decreased with the occurrence in raw ground beef at a mere 2.2 percent 11.

Today, the momentum to develop solutions for both pathogenic Salmonella and E. coli. has continued with the Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education (FMPRE) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), contractors to the Beef Checkoff. These contractors work together to identify and solve improvement areas in the beef safety profile through science-based research in pre- and post-harvest cattle.

This research prioritizes:

  • Identifying the combination of virulence factors that cause human illness in pathogenic Salmonella and E. coli.
  • Identifying pre-harvest challenges to beef safety.
  • Evaluating how Salmonella exists and moves throughout the supply chain, including regional, seasonal and production practice differences on the prevalence, level and serotype on products, including lymph nodes.
  • Evaluating the efficacy of interventions during the grinding process to maximize reduction of microbial contamination in ground beef.

Why is This Research Necessary?

Beef safety research goes far beyond growing consumer trust and driving demand for beef. The threat posed by pathogens is not static; instead, it is constantly evolving, and antimicrobial interventions and other process controls must be continuously upgraded to address these emerging threats.

Beef Checkoff research can help save people the costs of contracting one of these pathogens, from medical expenses to lost productivity.

Pathogen contamination presents the beef industry with another potential cost — the reduced value of products that test positive. When a raw material or finished product tests positive for a pathogen, it cannot enter commerce unless it is thermally processed. If the product has already entered commerce, it is subject to an expensive and reputation-damaging recall.

The total costs of safety interventions and processes, medical and missed opportunity claims, recalls and reduced value of contaminated products cannot always be passed on to consumers. Most often, these costs are borne by the industry and eventually passed on to beef producers through reduced live cattle values. Accordingly, beef producers have a direct economic incentive to invest in beef safety research to reduce further pathogenic contamination levels in raw materials and finished products to increase the value of their cattle and their return on investment.

Checkoff-funded beef safety research is essential to ensuring public health and the health of the beef industry.

Research Dissemination

NCBA and FMPRE work to ensure stakeholders understand the industry’s commitment to improving beef safety and that partners implement the updated process controls. Checkoff-funded resources like web content, peer reviews, fact sheets, videos and more share research results and answer tough questions about the safety of beef today and can be found on BeefResearch.org.

Additionally, beef safety research is showcased at the Beef Industry Safety Summit, an annual keystone event. For 21 years, industry safety leaders and scientists have come together to hear the latest research results, learn about advancements in food safety monitoring and testing methodology, and openly converse with competitors seeking solutions that will benefit the entire industry. The summit continues to be a hallmark event for the industry to gather in a non-competitive forum and address beef safety challenges for the benefit of consumers everywhere. This event attracts hundreds of leaders and top decision-makers in the beef safety business.

Continued Innovation

The Beef Checkoff’s Beef Safety Research Program will continue working towards ensuring consumer confidence in the beef products they choose to buy. With the support of the robust and comprehensive Checkoff-funded research program, the beef industry provides consumers worldwide with consistently safe beef products.

To learn more about the Beef Checkoff’s beef safety research program, visit our contractor’s websites at:

H5N1 VIRUS UPDATE:

On March 25, 2024, there were reports of a multi-state outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) bird flu in dairy cattle, the first time bird flu viruses had been found in bovine animals. One human that had been exposed to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with the HPAI A(H5N1) viruses also tested positive. The A(H5N1) virus has since been detected in 34 herds of cattle across nine states, including Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and most recently, Colorado.

On Monday, May 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it had collected 30 samples of ground beef sold at grocery stores for testing in states where outbreaks of H5N1 in dairy cows had occurred. On May 8, they announced all the samples tested were negative for the H5N1 bird flu virus. They remain confident that the meat supply is safe and does not pose a risk to humans.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Beef Checkoff tackles concerns regarding beef and the environment with the power of science-backed research. The Beef Sustainability Research program ensures that consumers have access to accurate information. By dismissing and rectifying any false claims, the Beef Checkoff aims to instill consumer confidence about the sustainability of beef production.

This Checkoff-funded program assesses beef sustainability using an approach that balances environmental responsibility, economic opportunity and social diligence across the beef value chain. This research then provides science-validated sustainability indicators that serve as industry benchmarks and provide a path forward to continuous improvement. Encompassing the entire beef industry, from the birth of a calf to beef on the consumer’s plate, this research program is a proactive and innovative scientific approach to creating a sustainable beef product for a growing world population while increasing consumer confidence in beef.

Through its in-depth research, the Beef Checkoff has been able to show that U.S. beef producers are leaders in sustainability and committed to responsibly raised beef. But how does the Beef Checkoff use these facts to help drive beef demand?

This research provides a basis for most Checkoff-funded advertising campaigns and other initiatives. Beef’s sustainability message is then communicated to many audiences, including consumers, nutritionists, registered dietitians, the scientific community, influencers, chefs and communities abroad. Here are only a few of the science-backed facts illustrating how U.S. beef producers are sustainability leaders. To see a repository of Checkoff-funded beef research, visit beefresearch.org.

1. U.S. vs. Global Emission Intensity

The U.S. beef industry’s emission intensity is two to nine times lower than that of top beef-producing countries such as Australia, India and Brazil. Since 1996, the U.S. has had the lowest GHG emission intensity in the world. 12

The emissions intensity of the U.S. Beef Industry is: 13

  • Over 2x lower than Argentina
  • About 2x lower than Australia
  • Nearly 3x lower than Brazil
  • Nearly 2x lower than Canada
  • About 9x lower than India

2. Cattle: The Ultimate Upcyclers

Every day, cattle graze and turn natural resources like solar energy and pastureland into high-quality proteins and other invaluable products. They’re upcyclers that take otherwise useless materials, add nutritional and environmental value, and transform them into something more.

Approximately 29% of the land in the U.S. is pasture or rangeland that is too wet, rocky, steep, or arid to support cultivated agriculture.14 This land can support cattle for protein upcycling. Learn how cattle upcycle.

3. The Value of Upcycling

  • Upcycling adds additional value to products that otherwise would’ve been wasted.
  • Byproducts from biofuel and food production industries, such as distillers grains and beet pulp, are digestible by cattle, reducing the volume of waste going to landfills.
  • Properly managed cattle grazing can improve rangeland and wildlife habitats.
  • As the global population grows, ruminant animals like beef cattle can help us make more food with fewer resources.
  • More than 44% of an animal’s live weight is transformed into other goods, such as leather, cosmetics and pet food.

4. More with Less

U.S. farmers and ranchers produce 18% of the world’s beef, with only 6% of the world’s cattle. 15

5. U.S. Improvements in Beef Production

The U.S. beef industry increased the pounds of beef produced per head by 67.58% since 1961 (compared to 201916).

6. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Beef cattle only represented 2.3% of emissions in the U.S. in 2020. 17

7. Corn Going to Grain-Finished Beef Cattle

  • 7% of total corn produced in the U.S. is fed to feedlot cattle. 18
  • By comparison, 34.8% of corn acreage in the U.S. is used for producing ethanol. 19
  • Corn acreage used to feed feedlot cattle is 0.2% of total U.S. land area, 1.4% of total U.S. cropland acres, and 7% of total U.S. harvested corn acres. 20
  • The amount of U.S. land used to produce corn to feed grain-finished cattle is less than the size of the Houston Metro area. 21

Frequently Asked Questions

I was born into the livestock industry, and I’ve enjoyed working with the great people in this industry my whole life. Over the years, I’ve been able to develop and raise a personal herd of purebred cattle. I’ve also spent more than 40 years working with students, currently at Penn State University as the cow-calf beef extension specialist and as an Animal Science professor. I enjoy helping students better understand the many facets of beef production. Take it from me—it’s true when they say if you love what you’re doing, no day ever seems like work.

I’m also just one of many people who’ve chosen to volunteer and give back to this industry that’s provided the lifestyle we love. I’ve had the pleasure of serving several terms on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB), and I’m also a member of the Beef Quality Assurance program’s advisory group. Through the CBB, I’ve developed some great friendships and dedicated considerable time and effort to ensuring the prudent investment of Beef Checkoff dollars. One of those investments is the National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) that has taken place every five years since 1991.

NBQA helps us better understand what “quality” means to different beef industry sectors and the value of those quality attributes. The audit helps the beef industry discover what we should change to increase the value of our products. The Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Group develops the questions asked in each NBQA and ensures consistency with previous audits to permit a year-over-year data comparison. Then, we meet to review and discuss the audit results in great detail with our group and the research team that conducts the audit to develop consistent messaging.

My first thought after seeing the results of the first NBQA back in ‘91 was, “We have a lot of work to do.” And we did. But through a vigorous, industry-wide effort, we’ve tackled the challenges uncovered by that audit and the ones that followed. For example, the first NBQA raised the issue of injection-site lesions that consumers found concerning and distasteful. Just a few short years later, injection site lesions were almost nonexistent.

Over the years, as the NBQA advanced through its five-year cycle, the industry continued to measure and manage challenges with the same quick attention and turnaround. To get a better handle on consumer perceptions, the audit now includes a section with input from an in-person consumer survey. Implementing this survey gives us the opportunity to discuss the resulting data at producer meetings around the country.

The most recent NBQA took place in 2022. After looking at that audit’s results, I was pleased to see the industry’s continued progress toward the goals specified in our Long Range Plan. We’ve significantly improved efficiency across the entire supply chain, and that’s helped control our production costs, which benefits all consumers.

Additionally, it’s intriguing to see from this audit that consumers are far less concerned about food safety. They now simply expect our product to be safe without question – because we’ve taken the steps to ensure it is. We also found that more producers are adopting electronic ID for interstate movement of cattle, which should improve beef access to additional international markets. We’re also seeing more prime and choice carcasses available due to slower packing plant operations during the pandemic. As a result, more cattle remained in feedlots longer, gaining more weight and getting into better condition than they might have during a typical production year. Given today’s low cattle inventories, this situation is likely to change as cattle in the feedlot sector cycle out.

The NBQA remains one of the best ways for our industry to get a handle on current beef industry data and trends. Without the audit, we would lose the opportunity to manage beef quality because we’re not measuring its performance. As we’ve identified areas requiring improvement, beef industry stakeholders have come together and developed effective plans to address those issues. Without the continued checks and balances that the audit provides, beef would likely lose market share, something no beef producer wants. Our livelihoods depend on the NBQA.

With the perspective of time, it’s plain to see that investing Checkoff dollars in the NBQA has returned significant dividends to producers and the entire beef industry. You may know the adage, “If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” That’s exactly what the first NBQA did back in 1991 and continues to do today.

Frequently Asked Questions

National Beef Quality Audit Helps the Beef Industry Measure, Analyze and Respond

Three decades ago, with consumer beef demand low, the beef industry needed the ability to remain competitive with other proteins. That desire is what initiated the landmark 1991 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA). The audit provided an honest snapshot of the beef industry and the needed improvements. The 1991 NBQA was revolutionary because it changed the industry’s system management to act and think like product manufacturers and improve the desirability and conformity of beef to restore consumer demand.

Now conducted every five years, the Beef Checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Audits have significantly influenced the cattle industry and how producers raise cattle. The NBQA ultimately advises the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. BQA grows and changes with the audit data, and that data is disseminated to the producers who make production changes that address consumer needs and preferences. The NBQA helps ensure beef farmers and ranchers produce a product that consumers want to buy, improving bottom lines.

Audit Execution

To complete the NBQA, researchers and industry professionals execute three phases:

Phase 1: Individual Interviews – Face-to-face interviews with representatives of the different market sectors (packers, retailers, foodservice operators, further processors and government/trade organizations).

Phase 2: In-Plant Research – Visits to packing facilities to execute audits, starting from unloading to slaughter to the sales cooler, collecting information from the carcasses.

Phase 3: Strategy Session – A strategic workshop with researchers and industry leaders to evaluate the information, identify problem areas and set key industry objectives.

The NBQA is a labor-intensive, collaborative affair that includes professors, graduate students and industry professionals from 14 universities across the U.S. and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

2022 NBQA Results

Recently, the 2022 NBQA was released, which delivered many encouraging messages about beef’s improvement over the years while also identifying issues that need further attention.

“The 2022 NBQA showed how the beef industry is strong and resilient, with data clearly showing progress has been made in areas such as efficiency, the quality of beef produced, a lower incidence of carcass lesions and a better focus on food safety,” Trey Patterson, BQA Advisory Group chair said. “The data also shows that there are areas for improvement, such as minimizing bruising, better mobility scores in fed cattle and eliminating any foreign objects found in beef. The results also revealed the need for a continued focus on disease traceability and systems to improve animal health and well-being.”

Key Findings

  • When comparing 2016 and 2022 NBQAs, the largest improvement was overall increased efficiency across the beef supply chain.
  • Market sectors indicated their companies strive to increase their sustainability and work with the entire beef supply chain to do so.
  • Market segments no longer consider food safety as a purchasing criterion, but an expectation.
  • The entire industry felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, consumers chose beef, and the industry persevered to provide products.
  • The beef industry’s image improved within fed cattle market sectors.
  • Foreign materials continue to present a problem, but the industry is making strides to decrease incidence.
  • There was an increase in the frequency of Prime and Choice quality grades, while Select decreased drastically.
  • The industry is improving quality, but it is accompanied by an increase in carcass weight and fat thickness, as well as large increases in percentages of Yield Grade 4 and 5 carcasses.
  • Nearly 93% of transportation service providers interviewed were familiar with the Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT) program, and 91% are BQAT certified.
  • Nearly 92% of cattle received a mobility score of 1, with the animal walking easily and normally. That’s a decrease from 97% in 2016 and is attributed to larger cattle and longer transport times.

The NBQA remains an important measure for the beef industry as it strives to improve quality and consumer demand. All segments of beef production can utilize results from the 2022 NBQA to improve upon current management practices and implement innovative techniques.

View the full 2022 National Beef Quality Audit here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Farmers, ranchers and veterinarians across the U.S. are finding their animal health practices under increasing scrutiny from consumers who are concerned about the impact of antibiotic practices in the cattle industry. Consumers continue to look for the “antibiotic-free” label when shopping for groceries.14 In fact, according to the most recent International Food Information Council (IFIC) Food & Health Survey, 25 percent of U.S. consumers say they regularly purchase products labeled “raised without antibiotics.” Yet, the same survey shows many consumers are concerned with animal welfare and environmental sustainability when buying foods.As industry stakeholders strive to produce the food consumers enjoy, the Beef Checkoff works to help bridge the gap, explaining to consumers how responsible antibiotic use positively affects sustainable, safe beef production and ensures the highest standards of animal care. The Beef Checkoff does this by facilitating educational and collaborative opportunities for beef producers and industry leaders to discuss antimicrobial stewardship and resistance.

One such opportunity was the 13th Annual National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) Antibiotics Symposium. Held November 7 – 9 in Atlanta, Georgia, this symposium gave animal health and human health experts the opportunity to share science‐based information and encourage an honest dialogue around a “One Health” solution. One Health recognizes human health is connected to both animal health and the environment.

At the symposium, attendees and participants received an industry report on the current state of antibiotic stewardship from producer to processor to grocer. Other presentations discussed the latest antimicrobial stewardship and resistance research, the multi-dimensional aspects of antibiotic stewardship and antimicrobial resistance (AMR,) regulatory updates, One Health collaborations and more. Speakers included:

  • Ken Opengart – Tyson Foods
  • Alex Rinkus – Health for Animals
  • Chris Gambino – The Breakthrough Institute
  • Terry Lehenbauer – University of California Davis
  • Collette Kaster – Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization
  • Andy Bishop – Cattlemen’s Beef Board
  • Chelsey Shivley – USDA APHIS
  • Catherine Rockwell – USDA FSIS
  • Susan Jennings – EPA
  • Karen Smith – Association of State & Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
  • Cameron Bess, PhD – Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA)

Kristy Arnold headhsotThis event is unique because it engages audiences across multiple industries and focuses, with producers at the forefront of this event actively participating in conversations. One such producer was Cattlemen’s Beef Board member Kristy Arnold from Screven, Georgia. As a third-generation owner and operator of her cow/calf operation, Arnold knows firsthand the need for responsible antibiotic use on the ranch.

“We, as the beef industry, are contributors to AMR, and producers must take a seat at the table where the conversations are happening,” Arnold said. “We must identify the problem, find the cause and discover what works to fix it.”
Many producers already practice antibiotic stewardship by following Beef Quality Assurance guidelines, but there is still room to grow and take an active role in the antibiotic conversation. “At the symposium, after getting all of the information and hearing speakers talk about how important antibiotic stewardship is to human and public health, it made it more a ‘here and now’ realization for me,” Arnold said.

By bringing diverse audiences together, the symposium helped members of the animal agriculture industry build valuable relationships with influential stakeholders who can advocate for responsible antibiotic use on the farm and in the veterinary clinic. “Beef producers are the ‘boots on the ground’ and must be informed and motivated to act to enhance stewardship, protect the environment and health of our animals,” Arnold said.

To further encourage beef producers to continue the antibiotic conversation, NIAA has Checkoff-funded Producer Toolkits and resources needed to proactively engage with audiences on antibiotic practices and usage. The content is intended to generate ideas and help producers find their voices to tell their food and agriculture stories.

To download the toolkit and get more antibiotic informational tools, visit: https://www.animalagriculture.org/resources/beef-producer-abx-toolkit/