Suggested Lead: The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) unanimously elected Hatfield, Mass. dairywoman Lucinda Williams to serve as vice chairman of the Board for 2008. Williams is a 12th-generation dairy producer and farmer in Hatfield, Mass., on her 220-acre family owned farm, which dates back to 1661. She was appointed to the Beef Board by the Secretary of Agriculture in 2004. As one of 13 dairy producers on the Beef Board, Williams hopes to unite the beef and dairy producers as one collective voice…tape
Cut #1 :24 O.C..."industry as well."
The beef checkoff has a goal of increasing beef demand 10 percent by 2010. With just a couple short years to accomplish that task, Williams says part of the beef board’s goal is to not forget the other side of the demand equation – keeping dairy and beef producers in business for the long run...tape
Cut #2 :14 O.C..."roads in success."
As society changes, producers must adapt to changing consumer demands. Williams notes a checkoff-funded Web site that tells the beef production story and answers questions consumers might have about where and from whom their food comes from…tape.
Cut #3 :39 O.C..."to the table."
For more information about checkoff activities, visit www dot beef board dot org (www.beefboard.org) or www dot beef from pasture to plate dot org (www.beeffrompasturetoplate.org).
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. For more information, visit www dot beefboard dot org (www.beefboard.org).
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