About the Industry Information Program
The Beef Checkoff is dedicated to helping beef producers vocalize their commitment to producing safe, wholesome beef products. With the end goal of enhancing the image of the beef industry, Industry Information programs work to develop new markets, marketing strategies and increase efficiency and activities. These Beef Checkoff programs focus on issues, management, public relations and beef and veal quality assurance.
Contractors With Projects Funded Under Industry Information
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
The Beef Checkoff’s industry information program protects beef’s reputation by proactively managing issues and crises while equipping producers with science-based tools to ensure beef is safe, high-quality and responsibly raised. Fiscal Year 2026 initiatives include:
- Lead beef issues training workshops with SBCs and other industry stakeholder groups. This training will equip industry partners to respond to local issues and provides them with the resources they need to tell beef’s positive story and/or address misinformation about beef.
- Utilize the Beef Digital Command Center to see who is talking about beef and what is said, and use the issues management team to respond to issues and crises as they occur.
- Increase the number of producers that are Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified and promote understanding of the BQA program and the positive outcomes it provides for the beef industry.
- Maintain the issues management program as a trusted counselor and go-to resource for state beef councils.
2026 Funding: $2,100,000
Meat Institute (MI)
MI’s Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) reinforces consumer confidence in veal as a protein choice and helps build trust that veal is ethically and responsibly produced with a high priority on animal wellbeing. Fiscal Year 2026 initiatives include:
- Provide ongoing program management to ensure 95 percent of all U.S milk-fed veal are from VQA-certified farms.
- Develop and host the Veal Industry Summit reaching a minimum of 25 stakeholders and veal farmers with program updates and discussions to gather input on future veal programs.
2026 Funding: $35,000
National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA)
NIAA supports the beef industry’s commitment to One Health – healthy humans, healthy animals. This includes hosting the annual Antibiotics Symposium, which focuses on continued knowledge about responsible antibiotic use and the primary efforts aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance. Fiscal Year 2026 initiatives include:
- Engage animal agriculture leaders (including beef producers), processors, retailers, research scientists, academia, environmental NGOs and human health professionals at four to six regional roundtables to enhance geographic relevance, deepen regional stakeholder trust and more effectively meet the needs of beef producers and key opinion leaders.
2026 Funding: $75,000
