Planning & Evaluation

The purpose of evaluation is to oversee the effective measurement of industry-funded Beef Checkoff Programs – to see that they are accomplishing their stated objectives, as well as achieving the outcomes and goals of the beef industry’s Long Range Plan. The stated purpose of the Joint Evaluation Advisory Committee for the Beef Checkoff Program is as follows:

To measure the results of Authorization Requests (ARs) and programs approved by the Beef Promotion Operating Committee.
To provide producers a “compass check” on programs in process.
To integrate program results into the planning process (operating plan) for the coming fiscal year.

As part of the ongoing evaluation effort at the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, all programs are evaluated and this evaluation is reported to both the Board and to individual contractors. Evaluation Reports are available on request.

"U.S. Beef Demand Drivers and Enhancement Opportunities" study looks at reasons for increases in beef demand over the last 10 years and gives checkoff planners indications about necessary future demand-building strategies. This study was funded by the beef checkoff through the Beef Board and 12 state beef councils.

The checkoff-associated portions of the 2011-2013 Beef Industry Long Range Plan were endorsed by the Cattlemen's Beef Board Feb. 5, 2011.

Also available is an August 2011 Long Range Plan Scorecard, which highlights beef demand drivers, including current key indicators and trends affecting the food-production system.

USDA also requires all checkoff programs to periodically do an independent assessment of the program's economic impact, also known as a macroanalysis. The beef checkoff has asked independent economists to conduct this review in 2001, 2004 and 2009.