Beef Checkoff 101: The Path from Your Consignment Check to the Consumer
The New York Beef Council, funded by the Beef Checkoff, is responsible for education outreach and promotion efforts on behalf of beef and dairy farmers. NYBC continuously works toward the mission of enhancing the lives of consumers by connecting them with beef and the beef community. Outreach efforts in the state focus in three main categories, consumer information, producer communications, and nutrition education.
The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. According to the Beef Promotion and Research Act and the Beef Promotion and Research Order, Beef Checkoff funds cannot be used to influence government policy or action.
With each dollar contributed to the Beef Checkoff 50 cents supports national promotions and efforts overseen by the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, usually referred to as the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB), which consists of 99 members, including domestic beef, dairy and veal producers, as well as importers of beef and beef products. Each CBB board member is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Beef Board oversees collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the U.S. and $1-per head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. Each year the Beef Board is responsible for approving the annual budget for its national checkoff-funded programs. The Beef Promotion Operating Committee consists of 20 members and is responsible for approving projects and funding to carry out programs. Ten members of the Operating Committee are elected by the Beef Board, and 10 members represent the QSBCs.
The remaining 50 cents of each dollar stays in NYS and is managed by the New York Beef Council under the review of the USDA. New York Beef Council has a Board of Directors consisting of ten seats representing different segments of the industry and three ex-officio seats filled by other industry organizations such as the Pro-Dairy, Cornell University and New York Beef Producers’ Assoc. This Board of Director oversees the investment of Beef Checkoff dollars on the state level in areas such as consumer promotions, nutrition outreach, producer communications, checkoff compliance, Beef Quality Assurance, and social media.
To learn more about the programs and promotions funded by the Beef Checkoff connect with the New York Beef Council (NYBC). For a more in-depth look at the Beef Checkoff and your dollar’s path visit the New York Beef Council website and view the Beef Checkoff 101 video, view our staff and directors, and explore just a few of our primary program areas. NYBC is also active on social media across all platforms. Follow New York Beef Council on Facebook for updates and conversations targeting the 19.8 million consumers who call NY home. A new NY Beef Checkoff Facebook page will provide updates for contributing beef and dairy producers on projects funded by your Beef Checkoff dollars! PO Box 250, Westmoreland, NY 13490 Phone: 315-339-6922; Fax: 315-339-6931
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval. Consumer-focused and producer-directed, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and its state beef council partners are the marketing organization for the largest segment of the food and fiber industry.
Monthly e-newsletters and quarterly mailed newsletters, The Drive, are published by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and include program updates from both the national and state level. Subscribe today to received timely updates on Beef Checkoff promotions executed throughout the year. Simply visit, www.beefboard.org/the-drive-sign-up-form.