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Frequently Asked Questions

The Beef Checkoff works to build consumer confidence at every stage of beef production. These investments help drive demand for beef, and are all part of a comprehensive strategy focused on safety, quality, animal welfare, antibiotic stewardship and consumer education.

“When consumers understand the level of care that goes into the production of their beef, they feel better about enjoying it,” says Joan Ruskamp, Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

With the U.S. becoming a more health-conscious society, it is important the beef industry is dedicating resources to educate consumers on the benefits beef provides in order to maintain healthy diet.

“Research study after research study show that you can eat beef, even every day, and lower your cholesterol,” says Shalene McNeill, executive director of Nutrition & Health, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Researchers recommend that individuals consume 25g of protein at each meal, which is roughly 3 ounces of beef. When compared to other proteins, beef provides consumers with more high-quality protein and fewer calories.

Because of growing misconceptions of beef’s nutritional value and a growing trend for more plant-based proteins, the Beef Checkoff is working with nutritional leaders to educate consumers on the health benefits of eating beef in order to grow consumer confidence and drive demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Consumer purchasing decisions directly impact the way producers raise beef. The Beef Checkoff invests dollars toward meat profiling and product development, which helps drive demand at the meat counter and increases the overall value of beef.

Chuck Kiker, beef producer from Texas, is proud of the work the checkoff has done to deliver lean cuts the consumer wants.

“Meat profiling and developing new products is one of the best things the checkoff has done to make the value of that carcass go up,” says Kiker.

“We had so many cuts of meat that weren’t high-dollar cuts that would end up in grind, and it was very important to add value to those cuts. That is one of the things the checkoff has been able to do.”

By investing in muscle profiling research, the Beef Checkoff has been able to identify lean, tender muscles that consumers find desirable. The flat iron steak and petite tender are two examples of beef products that became available as a direct result of checkoff investments.

“It gave [the food service industry] an alternative to a high-priced steak dinner,” says Kiker. “They could go with a petite cut tender or a flat iron steak and have beef on the menu. That was huge for the beef industry and put a lot of money back into the value of that carcass.”

The Beef Checkoff has made investments to ensure beef remains a top protein choice amongst consumers. Through research and promotion, consumers have more options than ever when it comes to purchasing beef cuts.

 

silhouette of man riding horse

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the past few months, the Beef Checkoff has been using the “Rethink the Ranch” media campaign to help consumers gain a better understanding of how cattle producers care for their livestock and introduce them to the environmental practices farmers and ranchers are using to produce the world’s best-tasting beef.

It is important that consumers understand how committed producers are to serving as faithful stewards of the environment and the valuable natural resources that have been entrusted to them.

Elaine Utesch is part of the Triple U Ranch, a family-run cattle operation near Washta, Iowa, that has made environmental stewardship a top priority. In fact, in 2000, their efforts were recognized when they received the Environmental Stewardship award from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.

“Stewardship is something that we feel strongly about,” says Utesch. “We are here for the long haul and this land is our legacy that we will be able to pass on to our children and their families.”

When her father-in-law, William Utesch started working this land, he made environmental stewardship his mission by implementing sustainable practices such as developing watersheds and building buffer strips, terraces and ponds to protect water and prevent erosion.

“He had a strong feeling of stewardship of the land,” explains Elaine. “He made it a real mission to leave the land better than when he started, and that’s something he’s passed on to his sons and their families.”

Out west, water management is critical. Kevin Kester uses the latest technology to conserve water and manage grazing systems on the Bear Valley Ranch, located near Parkville, California.

“We’ve invested a lot in solar technology for our water systems that allows us to pump water up in the higher elevations,” says Kester. “Because we can distribute water resources more effectively and efficiently, we are better able to manage grazing and protect grasslands.”

These are the kinds of stories the Beef Checkoff is sharing with consumers on the new “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” website. The site provides consumer-friendly, easy-to-understand information to show how beef producers are being effective stewards of the land and resources.

Check out the redesigned BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com website. Follow #RethinkTheRanch on social media.

farmer herding cows

Frequently Asked Questions

In October, the Beef Checkoff launched “Rethink the Ranch,” a campaign that is working to build a strong pasture-to-plate connection between ranchers and consumers and help consumers gain a better understanding of how cattle producers are using advanced technology to benefit their businesses and the environment.

A perfect example of how technology is being used can be found at the Bear Valley Ranch, located near Parkfield, California. The Kester family put down roots and started ranching there 150 years ago in 1867. Back then, no one could have predicted how technology would be used to manage cattle operations.

“Every time there is a new technology, we try to take advantage of it,” says Kevin Kester. “Most recently, we purchased a commercial drone that we use to gather cattle, look at our water troughs and make sure everything is functioning correctly.”

Kevin says that with over 100 miles of roads on the ranch, the drone saves them a lot time and energy that would be taken up in driving down those roads.

“If cattle are in a rugged part of the country where it’s harder to herd them with dogs or on horseback, we can fly the drone over them and get them moving in the direction we want for gathering them,” he says.

Along with drone technology, the Kesters are using solar technology to operate water systems and manage grazing systems.

“We’ve developed a lot of solar technology for our water systems that allows us to pump water up in the higher elevations,” he says. “That helps us manage grazing. It’s also good for the wildlife after the hot summer we had. Not only does technology help us in our business, it’s beneficial for the environment and conservation.”

Brian Medeiros is also using technology to reduce energy costs on the Medeiros and Sons Dairy Farm in Hanford, California.

“We want to be as self-sustaining on power as we can. We put in solar panels this past year and that’s going to take care of eighty percent of our electrical uses,” says Medeiros. “In the future, we’re going to look at other things such as methane digesters and projects that can help us be as self-sustaining as possible without being a burden to anyone else.”

These are the kinds of stories the Beef Checkoff is sharing with consumers on the new “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” website. The site provides consumer-friendly, easy-to-understand information to show how beef producers are being effective stewards of the land and resources.

Check out the redesigned BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com website. Follow #RethinkTheRanch on social media and learn more about the campaign here.

cows in pasture

Frequently Asked Questions

Coupled with the website redesign for “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.”, the Beef Checkoff has launched “Rethink the Ranch,” a campaign that is working to build a stronger pasture-to-plate connection between ranchers and consumers by showcasing real farmers and ranchers and their real stories about how they produce beef.

Based on consumer research, people purchasing beef want to know more about sustainable farming and the use of antibiotics and hormones. “Rethink the Ranch” is highlighting beef producers across the U.S. to explain to consumers how they raise beef responsibly.

Cody Easterday, who operates feedlots in eastern Washington, knows the important role technology plays in beef production.

“Thanks to the technologies that we have at our feedyard, we’re able to keep the animals more comfortable, we’re able to improve the environment around us and we’re ultimately able to raise the safest, healthiest beef for people around the world.”

By being transparent and sharing with consumers all that goes into raising cattle, “Rethink the Ranch” is illustrating the hard work and long hours farming families invest in their livestock, along with the advanced technologies being utilized to raise the best beef in the world.

According to Elaine Utesch from the Triple U Ranch in Washta, Iowa, this a story worth telling.

“As a producer, it’s my responsibility to let people know that farms like ours is where their food is coming from,” says Utesch. “And the Beef Checkoff lets consumers know that their food is produced using sustainable, environmental practices.”

The checkoff, via the “Rethink the Ranch” campaign, is providing a consumer-friendly, easy-to-understand way to communicate the complexities of raising quality beef in a way that consumers have probably never heard – or seen – before.

Check out the redesigned BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com website. Follow #RethinkTheRanch on social media and learn more about the campaign here.

cows

Frequently Asked Questions

Promoting beef has become more complicated than it was in 1992 when the Beef Checkoff launched the “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” brand.

With consumers becoming more and more interested in where their food comes from, the Beef Checkoff is kicking off “Rethink the Ranch,” a campaign targeted toward consumers to re-introduce them to beef as part of the 25th anniversary of “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” The campaign showcases real farmers and ranchers and their real stories about how they produce beef.

“Rethink the Ranch” is building a stronger pasture-to-plate connection between ranchers and consumers, highlighting the humanity behind beef production.

To showcase this humanity, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, took a camera crew and travelled 3,800 miles across the U.S., visiting six different cattle operations in four states. They captured more than 100 hours of video, along with images and stories about everyday farmers and ranchers.

Follow these producers’ stories from Iowa, Washington, Florida and California to see how the checkoff is helping consumers #RethinkTheRanch. Share their stories with consumers so they can meet some of today’s farmers and ranchers who bring beef from pasture to plate. Consumers will also learn about the advanced tools and techniques that are used in beef production.

This will be the first time that BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com will promote both the product and the people who produce that product. The site tells a brand story that is focused on promoting beef’s greatest strengths: the unbeatable taste of beef, the people and production process behind beef, the variety and ease of cooking beef and the nutritional strength that beef provides.

Click here to visit the NEW BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com!

runner being interviewed

Frequently Asked Questions

Press Release via NEBPI, a subcontractor to the Beef Checkoff

Beef had an impressive presence during the 45th New Balance Falmouth Road Race on August 20th. Four Team Beef members started in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and ran along the beautiful coast of Cape Cod into Falmouth Heights, with more than 12,000 other runners from the surrounding New England region and international areas.

Chrissy Carroll, RD, discussed last-minute sports nutrition concerns with runners at the Beef Booth during the New Balance Falmouth Road Race.

Leading up to the race, the checkoff participated in the annual Falmouth Road Race Health & Fitness Expo which was visited by approximately 75,000 runners and their families. Visitors at the beef checkoff booth enjoyed beef jerky samples and learned about beef’s versatility and value as part of an athlete’s diet and lifestyle.

The checkoff partnered with Chrissy Carroll (pictured), Registered Dietitian, USAT Level 1 Triathlon Coach and blogger at Snacking in Sneakers to share “3 Reasons Why Runners Should Eat Beef” leading up to the race. She then posted a recap of her experience with Team Beef on her blog. Chrissy was on-hand during the expo to answer runners’ last-minute sports nutrition questions and explain how beef fits into the mix.

Pennsylvania beef producer and former Millennial 2 Millennial (M2M) Beef Advocate Ezra Swope noted, “Having the opportunity to interact with our consumers was an extremely valuable experience for me as a producer because it allowed me to understand their point of view. I would highly recommend that all beef producers join their state’s council staff at consumer events.”

At the beef booth, consumers had the chance to enter to win a steakhouse gift card by participating in an educational survey. Of those polled, only 36 percent were aware that 40 percent of food taken home by Americans goes uneaten; 87.5 percent of survey entrants had a favorable opinion of beef.

Events like the New Balance Falmouth Road Race allow the checkoff to engage directly with consumers, including athletes, to highlight beef’s taste and nutritional benefits as well as cooking techniques. Checkoff-funded research in the Northeast shows that consumers are interested in making changes to improve the healthiness of their lifestyle. Interacting face-to-face with them helps get their nutrition and cooking questions answered.

For more information about the race, search #BeefFuelsFalmouth on Twitter. Participation in this event was made possible by the Kentucky Beef Council. For more information, visit NEBPI.org.

Media Contact: Kaitlyn Carey, kcarey@pabeef.org

Internal links within this document are funded and maintained by the Beef Checkoff. All other outgoing links are to websites maintained by third parties.