b'The Beef Checkoff is a complex programBEEF CHECKOFF with many moving parts and people, and as industry stakeholders, its important to Beef Checkoff Collectionsunderstand the fundamentals. Lets dive intoH I G H L I G H T Sthe core of it allBeef Checkoff collections Throughout the Cattleand how they work. Production CycleBACK TO THE BASICSFlorida Beef Councils Triumphant Debut at As cattle move through the productionSouth Beach Wine and Food Festival cycle from birth to beef, the Beef Checkoff assessment is due each time cattle areAmidst a gathering of culinary enthusiasts and industry leaders, "This is the producers money were handling, and it is a serioussold. This is true for all cattle, regardlessthe Florida Beef Council (FBC) put beef front and center at the South of the breed or age of cattle sold. responsibility, in my opinion," said Jo Ann Smith, the firstBeach Wine and Food Festival in Miami. Five hundred celebrity chefs Cattlemens Beef Board (CBB) chair. To this day, the CBBs 99The Beef Checkoff assessment is duenationwide participated in this high-end event that drew 75,000 volunteer producer and importer leaders from across the U.S.whether cattle are sold through a livestockattendees. One ton of beef was served at events like Havana Nights, take that responsibility very earnestly, working to representmarket, an order buyer or sold directly to another producer. The assessment is alsoAsian Night Market and Tacos after Dark. Beefs presence resonated with In 1985, the Beef Checkoff was establishedAmericas cattle producers and promote beefs image. due when cattle are harvested. attendees, fostering connections and spotlighting the dedication of local The Beef Checkoff assessment is paidranchers like Steven Beaver Yoder and his wife Michelle.as part of the Farm Bill, assessing $1by the producer or withheld from the per head on the sale of live domesticThis is theproducers proceeds from the sale. In states where a brand inspection is and imported cattle and a comparablerequired at the time of sale, the brand assessment on imported beef and beefproducersinspectors may collect the assessments from the seller on behalf of the Beef products. In a 1988 national referendumCheckoff program and remit the Beef vote, 79 percent of producers voted tomoney wereCheckoff assessments.Nineteen states currently have an approve the mandatory program. Foradditional state-authorized Beef Checkoff assessment: Alabama, California,Ground Beef Performancemore than 35 years, the Beef Checkoff hashandling, andGeorgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky,Ground beef is consistently one of the best-selling beef products every worked to tell the story of everything beefMichigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, offers, from producers commitment toit is a seriousNorth Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Southyear in the U.S. Ground beef sales also comprised 50.6 percent of all Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginiaretail beef sales in terms of volume (pounds sold) and 39.2 percent in their land and cattle, to beefs superior tasteand Washington. terms of value (dollars sold) in 2023. 1and nutritional benefits. responsibility,STORY CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGESource:1- NielsonIQ, Discover, Ground Beef Sales, 2019 - 2023 Weeks Ending 12/30/2023. Analyzed byNational Cattlemens Beef Association, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. in my opinion.Cattlemens Beef BoardJ O A N N S M I T H Announces Dairy Task ForceFirst Cattlemens Beef Board chairAs the dairy industry continues to evolve, crossbreeding dairy cows with beef genetics is becoming increasingly common. To ensure the dairy perspective is represented on the Cattlemens Beef Board, dairy producers from across the U.S. serve on the board and currently hold 12 percent of the seats. Dairy cattle are a significant part of the beef industry, and to encourage further collaboration between industries, the CBB has launched a new Dairy Task Force. This group will research the impact of the growing beef-on-dairy trendincluding how dairies market their calves and how this may affect Beef Checkoff assessmentsand brainstorm ideas for improving communications with dairy producers about the Beef Checkoff program.'