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Frequently Asked Questions

From Research to Retail: Where 2026 Investments Go

Every time a beef producer sells cattle, or an importer sells cattle (or its equivalent in boxed beef), the $1-per-head national Beef Checkoff assessment goes into effect, funding programs in promotion, research, consumer and industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications. For fiscal year 2026 (October 2025–September 2026), Beef Checkoff dollars are invested across six program areas, with work carried out by nine contracting organizations and three subcontractors.

Each September, eligible organizations present proposals – referred to as Authorization Requests, or “ARs” – to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC), a diversified group comprised of 10 members of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and 10 directors of the Federation of State Beef Councils. Within these program areas, ARs request funding to support marketing and education projects lasting one year, as well as research projects spanning three years.

Industry Information

Strives for an accurate understanding of the beef industry and helps maintain a positive cattle-marketing climate.

MI

Administers the Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program and fosters public awareness regarding VQA’s positive impact on animal well-being.

2026 Funding: $35,000

NIAA

Promotes responsible antibiotic use and combats antimicrobial resistance by maintaining consistent scientific collaboration between the animal agriculture and human health sectors.

2026 Funding: $75,000

NCBA

Protects beef’s reputation by proactively managing issues and crises while equipping producers with science-based tools like Beef Quality Assurance to ensure beef is safe, high-quality, and responsibly raised.

2026 Funding: $2,100,000

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*

Leverages credentialed health professionals to share clear, science-based messages to build consumer confidence in beef and reinforces its position as an essential, nutrient-rich protein of choice among Northeast consumers. Also, fosters relationships with athletic partners to reinforce beef’s role in supporting strength, endurance and energy.

2026 Funding: $1,000,000

AFBFA

Provides science teachers with immersive experiences and high-quality instructional classroom units and assessments that enable educators to teach science through the lens of beef production.

2026 Funding: $705,000

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.

2026 Funding: $6,000,000

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.

MI/ 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.

2026 Funding: $235,000

NCBA

Connects directly with consumers to promote beef through the iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand. Through beef marketing and merchandising, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. educates and inspires consumers to purchase, prepare and enjoy beef.

2026 Funding: $9,000,000

Research

Provides the foundation for virtually all Beef Checkoff-funded information and promotion by providing science-backed research in beef nutrition, beef safety and pathogen resistance.

MF

Conducts science-based research on post-harvest beef safety to maintain and bolster consumer trust and grow beef demand.

2026 Funding: $650,000

NCBA

Works alongside universities and institutions to conduct high-quality scientific research on beef’s nutritional benefits, pre-harvest research, product quality and technical expertise, sustainability research, and consumer market research.

2026 Funding: $8,000,000

USCA/KSA

Tracks monthly U.S. consumer preferences, views and demand for meat with separate analysis for retail and food service channels.

2026 Funding: $650,000

Producer Communications

Informs producers and importers about how their Beef Checkoff dollars are invested through a variety of efforts and initiatives.

CBB

Communicates to producers where their Beef Checkoff dollars are spent through The Drive newsletter (printed and electronic versions), media relations, attendance at producer meetings, social media and other initiatives.

2026 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.

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.

2026 Funding: $7,900,000

Contractor Key

AFBFA: American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture

CBB: Cattlemen’s Beef Board

KSU*: Kansas State University

MF: Meat Foundation

MICA: Meat Import Council of America

NCBA: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

NIAA: National Institute for Animal Agriculture

MI: Meat Institute

NEBPI*: Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative

NYBC*: New York Beef Council

USCA: United States Cattlemen’s Association

USMEF: United States Meat Export Federation

*=Subcontractor

Frequently Asked Questions

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $38.1 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications during fiscal 2026, subject to USDA approval.

In action at the end of its September 3-4 meeting in Denver, Colorado, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) approved Checkoff funding for a total of 14 “Authorization Requests” – or grant proposals – for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. The committee, which includes 10 producers and importers from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and 10 producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils, also recommended full Cattlemen’s Beef Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.

Nine contractors and three subcontractors brought 14 Authorization Requests worth approximately $49 million to the BPOC this week, approximately $10.9 million more than the funds available from the CBB budget.

“We continue to be impressed by the quality and creativity of the proposals our contractors bring forward each year, which makes funding decisions especially tough,” said Ryan Moorhouse, chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. “While we receive many outstanding proposals, our limited resources mean we can’t fund everything we’d like. Inflation continues to reduce the impact of each Checkoff dollar, so prioritizing the most impactful programs is more important than ever.

“As expected, this year’s Authorization Requests were full of fresh ideas and innovative approaches that support the Beef Checkoff’s core efforts—research, promotion, foreign marketing, industry and consumer information, and producer communications. I’m proud of how our committee worked together to thoughtfully balance the budget and direct our limited resources in the most strategic way. I’m grateful to our contractors and fellow committee members for their dedication, and I look forward to seeing the results of their hard work in FY26.”

In the end, the BPOC approved proposals from nine national beef organizations for funding through the FY26 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget, as follows:

American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture – $705,000

  • Cattlemen’s Beef Board – $1,800,000
  • Meat Foundation – $650,000
  • Meat Import Council of America / Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative – $1,000,000
  • Meat Institute – $35,000
  • Meat Institute/New York Beef Council – $235,000
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – $25,100,000
  • National Institute for Animal Agriculture – $75,000
  • United States Cattlemen’s Association/Kansas State University – $650,000
  • United States Meat Export Federation – $7,900,000

Broken out by budget component – as outlined by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 – the FY26 Plan of Work for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board budget includes:

  • $9,235,000 for promotion programs, including beef and veal campaigns focusing on beef’s nutritional value, eating experience, convenience, and production.
  • $9,300,000 for research programs focusing on pre- and post-harvest beef safety, scientific affairs, nutrition, sustainability, product quality, culinary technical expertise, and consumer perceptions.
  • $7,705,000 for consumer information programs, including Northeast influencer outreach and public relations initiatives; national consumer public relations, including nutrition-influencer relations and work with primary- and secondary-school curriculum directors nationwide to get accurate information about the beef industry into classrooms of today’s youth. Additional initiatives include outreach and engagement with food, culinary, nutrition and health thought leaders; media and public relations efforts; and supply chain engagement.
  • $2,210,000 for industry information programs, including dissemination of accurate information about the beef industry to counter misinformation from other groups, as well as funding for Checkoff participation in the annual national industrywide symposium about antibiotic use. Additional efforts in this program area include beef advocacy training and issues/crisis management and response.
  • $7,900,000 for foreign marketing and education, focusing on 13 regions, representing more than 90 countries around the world.
  • $1,800,000 for producer communications, which includes investor outreach using national communications and direct communications to producers and importers about Checkoff results. Elements of this program include ongoing producer listening and analysis; industry collaboration and outreach; and continued development of a publishing strategy and platform and a state beef council content hub.

The full fiscal 2026 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget is approximately $42.4 million. Separate from the Authorization Requests, other expenses funded include $305,000 for program evaluation; $762,000 program development; $280,000 for Checkoff education resources; $575,000 for USDA oversight; $220,000 for state services; $200,000 supporting services and litigation; and approximately $2.0 million for CBB administration. The fiscal 2026 program budget represents an increase of slightly less than 1.0% percent, or $195,000, from the $42.2 million FY25 budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

While reading The Drive or seeing Beef Checkoff posts on social media, some producers may ask themselves the question: Why does the Beef Checkoff use funding to communicate with producers, especially when we already support beef?

It’s a fair question. The answer? A small portion of Beef Checkoff dollars is dedicated each year to the Producer Communications program. For every head of cattle sold, the Checkoff collects $1 as an investment to drive beef demand through promotion, research and education. And as they would expect from any investment, producers of all operational sizes and industry sectors and importers deserve to be informed about how their dollars are working for them.

What Is Producer Communications?

Producer Communications is a series of platforms and projects that allows the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to share Beef Checkoff program results, updates and opportunities with the people who make it possible — beef farmers and ranchers. That includes The Drive printed newsletter and e-newsletter, The Drive in Five video series, social media, website, in-person events and connecting with national, regional and local industry news publications and websites.

These efforts help the Beef Checkoff be as transparent and accessible as possible about Beef Checkoff funds and the programs in which they’re invested.

In the FY2025 budget, only 4.3 percent of national Beef Checkoff dollars are dedicated to the Producer Communications program. To see a full breakdown of Beef Checkoff funding allocations, click here.

Why it Matters

“I hear the questions that my fellow producers have about the Beef Checkoff and how their dollars are being spent,” said Steve Springer, Wisconsin producer and CBB member. “I get it, you wouldn’t put money in a stock or mutual fund without expecting regular updates on your investment’s performance.”

The Producer Communications program not only shares information — it also serves as a vital feedback loop for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) to better understand producer concerns, interests and educational needs. Throughout the year, local and national surveys are conducted to gauge producer sentiment, gain insight into their operations, and identify the challenges they face. This feedback helps guide the direction of future Beef Checkoff programs, inform funding decisions, and shape content for newsletters and social media. In addition, the CBB regularly engages with agricultural organizations and state beef councils through meetings and discussions to gather input and strengthen relationships across the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anne Ilse Anderson of Austin, Texas was honored with the Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s fifth annual Beef Checkoff Visionary Award on Tuesday, July 8, during the General Session of the 2025 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, California. This award recognizes an individual in the beef industry who has demonstrated exemplary support of and commitment to the Checkoff’s goals and vision.

“Anne represents what this award is all about,” said Ryan Moorhouse, chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “She’s a fellow Texan who’s spent decades helping drive beef demand—both here at home and around the world—through education, research and smart marketing. Anne helped lay the groundwork for the Beef Checkoff, and years later, she’s still helping shape its future. We’re proud to recognize her with the 2025 Visionary Award.”

Anderson and her husband Jim own a cow-calf operation in the Texas Hill Country, combining a deep passion for agriculture with a global business perspective. The Andersons and their partner Brett Morris raise purebred Speckled Parke cattle as well as Speckled Parke/Angus crosses.

Anderson began her career as a clinical dietitian and educator before fully transitioning into agricultural leadership. Since then, Anderson has dedicated more than four decades to advancing the beef industry through innovation and mentorship. Her understanding of consumer nutrition needs and her lifelong passion for beef production have made her a unique and powerful voice in the industry.

One of Anderson’s most notable achievements and career milestones was her role as executive vice president and the very first employee of the Texas Beef Council (TBC) from 1986 to 1995, during which time she established the council’s bylaws and articles of incorporation. Over those nine years, Anderson grew TBC from a single employee—herself—to a staff of 25.

Anderson chaired the Cattlemen’s Beef Board in 2016 and currently serves as a member of the board and the Beef Checkoff’s Safety & Innovation committee. She’s been involved with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the Beef Industry Council of the National Livestock and Meat Board. Anderson has also held board or committee roles with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas CattleWomen, American National CattleWomen, International Livestock Congress and the HACCP Alliance. Anderson played a key role in developing industry education programs such as Beef 101 and Beef 706, and helped launch several groundbreaking initiatives, including the Rancher’s Renaissance beef cooperative and AgInfoLink, a global food-tracking company.

Anderson received her bachelor’s degrees in food and nutrition and home economics education with minors in consumer studies, biology and chemistry from the University of Texas (Austin). She earned a Master of Arts degree with concentrations in business and consumer education from the University of Texas (San Antonio).

“Anne brings energy, determination and heart to everything she does,” said Greg Hanes, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “Her vision for what the Checkoff could achieve—for both the industry and consumer demand—was ahead of its time. Throughout her career, she remained focused on the future and committed to what would best serve beef producers. On behalf of everyone at the CBB, I congratulate Anne on this well-deserved honor and thank her for the lasting impact she’s made—not only on our industry, but on me personally.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Emma Coffman of Lubbock, Texas has been selected as the 2024 Beef Advocate of the Year. The award recognizes Coffman for her creative methods of telling beef’s story across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, along with breaking down barriers as a first-generation cattle rancher. With more than 80,000 followers across social media platforms, Coffman uses her platform to educate viewers about sustainable and innovative ways farmers and ranchers care for their animals and produce high-quality beef. Meet Emma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you looking for Beef Checkoff financial information? Program highlights? Research results? Key studies? It’s all available in the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and Beef Checkoff 2024 Impact Report. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board puts full consideration into providing producers and industry stakeholders with the resources and information they need to feel confident in the effective, efficient and correct use of their Beef Checkoff dollars. Get the report.

Frequently Asked Questions

The National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award winners exemplify high-quality animal care and handling principles in their daily operations and continually improve through BQA. Meet these producer leaders and see how they advocate for the cattle industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board & Beef Checkoff 2024 Impact Report is now available. This report combines the Cattlemen’s Beef Board Annual Report and the Beef Checkoff Evaluation Report to streamline processes and provide members and stakeholders with a single, comprehensive document. See how the Beef Checkoff utilized your producer dollars to support and strengthen the entire beef industry through research, promotion and education. See the report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cattle producers Ryan Moorhouse of Texas, Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst of Oklahoma and Terry Quam of Wisconsin are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB). Elected by their fellow CBB members at the 2025 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, this new officer team is responsible for guiding the national Beef Checkoff throughout 2025. Moorhouse, the 2024 vice chair, is now the CBB’s chair, while DeVuyst will transition from her role as the 2024 secretary-treasurer to become the 2025 vice chair. Quam is the newest member of the officer team, taking on DeVuyst’s former responsibilities as secretary-treasurer.

Ryan Moorhouse

Moorhouse grew up in North Central Texas on his family’s cow/calf and stocker operation. After graduating from Texas A & M University, he went to work for Continental Grain Cattle Feeding (now Five Rivers). He currently serves as the general manager for Hartley Feeders, a Five Rivers Cattle Feeding operation. A resident of Amarillo, Texas, Moorhouse, his wife Colette and their two sons also operate a stocker operation back home on part of the family ranch.

“As we look ahead to 2025, the beef industry continues to face new challenges and opportunities,” Moorhouse said. “From navigating changing consumer preferences to addressing sustainability and global competition, the role of the Beef Checkoff has never been more critical. I’m honored to serve as chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and to work alongside other dedicated producers and industry leaders. Together, we’ll continue to identify innovative ways to drive demand for beef, ensuring its place on plates and in hearts worldwide while upholding the values and traditions that make our industry strong.”

Cheryl DeVuyst

Vice Chair DeVuyst and her husband, Eric, own DeVuyst Ranch, a cow-calf and stocker operation. DeVuyst is also a professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University and head of its Ag Econ department. DeVuyst is involved with numerous agricultural organizations, including Oklahoma CattleWomen, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Pawnee County CattleWomen, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and American National CattleWomen. She’s also a faculty advisor for the Oklahoma Collegiate CattleWomen and is a past board member of the Western Agricultural Economics Association.

Terry Quam

Secretary-Treasurer Terry Quam operates an Angus seedstock operation, Marda Angus Farms, in Lodi, Wisconsin. Since 1940, the farm has raised cattle that meet the needs of commercial cattlemen and purebred producers throughout the country. Quam has been a longtime, active member of his community and the agricultural industry at large. His activities and leadership roles include the Wisconsin Beef Council, NCBA, Farm Bureau, local and state Cattlemen’s associations, president of the Lodi Agricultural Fair, chairman of the University of Wisconsin Discovery Farms, the Cotton and Wisconsin Corn Boards and Wisconsin Corn Growers.

“I’m excited to welcome this exceptional officer team as they step into their leadership roles for 2025,” said Greg Hanes, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “Each of them brings a unique perspective and a shared passion for advancing our industry. I’m confident their dedication and vision will help the Beef Checkoff continue to create meaningful opportunities and overcome the challenges we face. Together, we’ll build on our shared commitment to driving beef demand and ensuring a brighter future for all beef industry stakeholders.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering where your Beef Checkoff dollars go? In a new episode of Ranch It Up, Andy Bishop, Kentucky producer and chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, breaks down the Beef Checkoff’s purpose and return on investment and dives into the 2025 budget. Get answers on how your dollars drive beef promotion. Listen here.

Frequently Asked Questions

For beef farmers and ranchers across the country, the Beef Checkoff plays a crucial role in funding research, education and promotion efforts that help strengthen the beef industry by driving demand. However, the producer and importer-led program can be complex. Where the money goes, who sits on the board, and whose watchful eye keeps everything following USDA-AMS guidelines can be confusing and is not always straightforward. To bridge this knowledge gap, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) created the Checkoff Academy — a unique educational initiative that provides producers and industry stakeholders with an in-depth look at how their Checkoff dollars are being used and managed.

What is the Checkoff Academy?

The Checkoff Academy is designed to educate beef producers on the inner workings of the Beef Checkoff program. This academy offers customized sessions that each qualified state beef council or other beef group can tailor to meet the specific needs and priorities of their local producers. This customization ensures that each session is as relevant and impactful as possible, addressing specific topics that resonate with attendees.

Sessions can range from shorter introduction sessions to a full-day program and cover a variety of topics that help deliver Beef Checkoff information in an in-person format.

“The Checkoff Academy was designed with transparency in mind,” said Andy Bishop, CBB chair. “This allows producers to gain a clearer understanding of the program and encourages them to get involved.”

Key Topics

Each Checkoff Academy begins with an interactive “get to know you” activity, helping the team understand participant backgrounds and expectations. From there, topics are tailored to the specific needs of the audience. Common topics include:

  • History of the Beef Checkoff: This session explores the challenges the beef industry faced in the 1970s and 1980s that led to the creation of the Beef Checkoff program.
  • Beef Checkoff 101: An overview of the program’s structure, how funds are regulated and the CBB board member selection process.
  • Checkoff Collections 101: A deep dive into the complex collections process, often the most interactive segment as it addresses specific questions from producers, sale barns, importers, direct-to-consumer businesses and more.
  • QSBC and CBB Relationship: An explanation of the roles of the Qualified State Beef Councils (QSBCs) and the CBB and how they work together to benefit the beef industry.
  • Funding & Program Successes: A showcase of current programs funded by the Checkoff, emphasizing real-world impact.

In addition to these core topics, the Academy explains how producers can access online resources about the Beef Checkoff, helping them stay informed and engaged with the program.

Reaching Producers Across the Country

Since its inception in 2022, the Checkoff Academy has been held in numerous locations across the U.S., including Oklahoma, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Washington, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, California and New York. To date, more than 700 producers have participated, gaining valuable insights into the program’s structure and objectives.

The Academy also works to clear up common misconceptions about the Checkoff program. “There’s a lot of misperceptions about the Checkoff, and we really feel that it’s important for producers to understand how their Checkoff money is being spent,” said Carey Brown, COO of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, while at the Checkoff Academy in Lexington, Kentucky over the summer.

Expanding the Reach of the Checkoff Academy

Moving forward, the CBB aims to extend the Checkoff Academy beyond state beef councils and cattle associations, hoping to reach members of other industry organizations like Farm Bureaus, cattlewomen groups and breed associations. This expansion will help more beef producers access the Academy’s resources, fostering greater transparency and engagement in the Checkoff program.

“The biggest key message of the Beef Checkoff Academy is that we want producers to know that their dollars are being used effectively…in the most meaningful way to drive demand for beef,” said Davis Gidney, CBB Checkoff education manager and program facilitator.

How to Get Involved

Producers interested in learning more about the Checkoff Academy or hosting a session for their association group are encouraged to reach out to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board office. With its focus on education and transparency, the Checkoff Academy empowers producers to better understand the program they fund and trust that their dollars are being managed responsibly and strategically to support the future of beef.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this podcast episode of Casual Cattle Conversations with Shaye Koester – Wanner, Kentucky cattle producer and Cattlemen’s Beef Board chair Andy Bishop and North Dakota rancher Jason Schmidt explain how the Beef Checkoff operates and address producer concerns. Learn more about how your contributions are making a difference and get answers to some of your most-asked questions submitted by producer listeners. Listen to the episode here.