2024 Beef Checkoff Program Funding
TRANSPARENCY AND FOCUS: THE ALLOCATION OF BEEF CHECKOFF DOLLARS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
The Beef Promotion and Research Act and Order authorizes Beef Checkoff funds to only be spent in the following program areas: beef promotion, research, consumer and industry information, foreign-market development and producer communications.
Each September, beef industry organizations present proposals – referred to as Authorization Requests, or “ARs” – to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, comprised of members of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Federation of State Beef Councils, to request funding for year-long marketing, education and research projects in these program areas. Those organizations approved for Checkoff-funded work are referred to as Beef Checkoff contractors.
For FY24, the Beef Checkoff has approximately $42 million. The contractors and their programs and projects are approved within each of the program areas for the fiscal year 2024 (October 2023 to September 2024.)
INDUSTRY INFORMATION
Strives for an accurate understanding of the beef industry and helps maintain a positive cattle-marketing climate.
NAMI
Administers the Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program and fosters public awareness regarding VQA’s positive impact on animal well-being.
2024 Funding: $55,000
NIAA
Promotes responsible antibiotic use and combats antimicrobial resistance by maintaining consistent scientific collaboration between the animal agriculture and human health sectors.
2024 Funding: $60,000
NCBA
Conveys the message that beef offers unparalleled taste and nutrition while dispelling myths about beef to consumer audiences.
2024 Funding: $2,704,450
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Strengthens beef’s image by proactively sharing nutritional data and positive messages with influential stakeholders, including media, food editors, dietitians, physicians and other key figures who shape consumers’ food knowledge.
MICA/NEBPI*
Builds beef consumption in highly populated northeastern U.S. cities by working with restaurants and grocery store chains, marketing to specific consumer groups and garnering support from regional nutrition influencers.
2024 Funding: $900,000
AFBFA
Provides science teachers with high-quality immersive experiences and materials to teach science through the lens of beef production.
2024 Funding: $800,000
NCBA
Increases consumer awareness of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand campaign and positions beef as the number one protein with restaurants, culinary leaders, grocery stores and other markets.
2024 Funding: $5,900,550
PROMOTION
Includes advertising, merchandising and new product development as well as training and promotional partnerships with restaurants and supermarkets that stimulate sales of beef and veal products.
NAMI/ NYBC*
Empowers consumers with innovative approaches to access and purchase veal, elevating their veal-eating experiences through creative meal solutions that maximize taste, value and versatility.
2024 Funding: $275,000
NCBA
Connects directly with consumers to promote beef through the iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. campaign. Through beef marketing and merchandising, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. educates and inspires consumers to purchase, prepare and enjoy beef.
2024 Funding: $9,000,000
RESEARCH
Provides the foundation for virtually all Checkoff-funded information and promotion by providing science related to beef nutrition, beef safety and pathogen resistance.
FMPRE
Conducts post-harvest beef safety and science-based research on processed beef’s nutritional and health benefits.
2024 Funding: $500,000
NCBA
Works alongside universities and institutions to conduct high-quality scientific research on beef’s nutritional benefits, providing a sound factual basis to promote beef’s role in a healthy diet.
2024 Funding: $7,800,000
PRODUCER COMMUNICATIONS
Informs producers and importers about how their Checkoff dollars are invested through a variety of efforts and initiatives.
CBB
Communicates to producers where their Checkoff dollars are spent through The Drive newsletter (printed and electronic versions), media relations, thought leadership, social media and other tactics.
2024 Funding: $1,800,000
FOREIGN MARKETING
Develops international markets for U.S. beef through programs aimed at expanding market penetration, gaining new market access, improving global consumer perceptions and building trust in U.S. beef.
USMEF
Maximizes market access for U.S. beef around the globe, develops demand among new and existing buyers overseas and increases the value of the entire carcass through export support.
2024 Funding: $8,150,000
CONTRACTOR KEY
AFBFA
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
CBB
Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board
FMPRE
Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education
MICA
Meat Import Council of America
NCBA
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
NIAA
National Institute for Animal Agriculture
NAMI
North American Meat Institute
NEBPI*
Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative
NYBC*
New York Beef Council
USMEF
United States Meat Export Federation
*=Subcontractor
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 may 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.
