BONUS BEEF BUY TO AID PRODUCERS AND FOOD PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 2, 1998) - The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) hailed a federal bonus beef buy, announced late yesterday by Vice President Al Gore.

NCBA advocated the buy which is expected to help producers who have been operating at or below break-even levels for most of this year, as well as provide food program recipients with an excellent source of iron, protein and zinc.

The $20 million bonus beef buy will include graded beef roasts and various ground beef products, and, as explained by Vice President Gore, will be used by the USDA in supplying federal food assistance programs.

"This is welcome news for American beef producers," said NCBA president Clark Willingham, a cattle producer from Dallas, Texas. "The added purchase gives the federal government an excellent value for their dollar spent and helps ensure those enrolled in food assistance programs of receiving healthy and nutritious meals."

According to USDA officials, the purchases will begin within the next two weeks and will be distributed through shelters, food banks, family feeding outlets, and other charitable institutions.

The buy is part of an ongoing effort by NCBA to work with the Administration and Congress during the depressed cattle market. "NCBA has been a long-time advocate of government beef purchasing during peak supply periods because it both saves money and helps move beef," Willingham adds. "We commend Vice President Gore and the USDA for deciding to increase amounts of beef products in federal programs."

-- NCBA --

Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the marketing organization and trade association for America’s one million cattle farmers and ranchers. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.