Phoebe Bitler, Pennsylvania
“For every dollar that we invest in our beef checkoff, we see dollars come back into our pockets – especially through research on new muscle cuts like the Flat Iron steak,” says Pennsylvania dairy producer, Phoebe Bitler. Phoebe understands how beef checkoff-funded research brings dollars back to her family’s Holstein seedstock operation and dairy.
“The new cuts that have been discovered through the checkoff are nutrient-rich and have wide appeal in both foodservice and retail channels. These channel partners invest promotion dollars as well, so our investment is multiplied many times over as our beef products are promoted through channel partnerships,” says Phoebe.
Another research project that hits close to home and to Phoebe’s pocketbook is the recent Market Cow and Bull Audit conducted by the checkoff’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. As a result of these audits, Phoebe and her family have implemented a “white cow” program on their dairy farm. “Instead of marketing the cows immediately, we keep them on-feed for about 60 additional days, which means about $200 to $300 per head more in our pockets. Learning more about this practice from the market cow audits is just another way that we, as dairy producers, can see the benefit of our beef checkoff investment,” she concludes.
Click here to listen to Phoebe talk more about the importance of beef checkoff initiatives.
Funded by the Beef Checkoff.