Tues., July 29 03 -- Checkoff Dollars Help Fund New Year of Beef Promotion

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The Cattlemen’s Beef and Promotion Board had its work cut out for it at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Dallas, said Andy Tucker. Tucker, a producer from Rockledge, Florida, is chairman of the Beef Board, which administers the national beef checkoff. Interviewed at last week’s conference, Tucker explained the board’s role in reviewing AR’s, or authorization requests, by contractors who use the funds to promote beef demand.

Cut #1       :30            Outcue: "...approving AR’s for 2004."

According to Tucker, board members consider funding requests from joint industry committees as well as contracting organizations with solid ideas for beef promotion.  

Cut #2       :25            Outcue: "...board approves in September."

Tucker says the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides oversight and approval for checkoff-funded projects ok’ed by the Beef Board.

Cut #3       :27            Outcue: "...has to approve those also."

Upon approval by the Operating Committee of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and USDA in September, checkoff funds will become available for beef promotion projects slated for fiscal year 2004.