Wed., Dec. 04 02 -- New Beef Product Marketing Could Benefit Producers

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Many smaller beef companies are joining forces with larger companies to expand production and distribution of their products.  Carl Blackwell is executive director of product marketing for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  He says there are lots of changes going on in the industry.  

Cut #1    :21       Outcue: "...with marketing dollars."

According to Blackwell, the fact that companies like Kraft and General Mills are focusing more heavily on beef is a benefit to cattle producers.

Cut #2    :17       Outcue: "...back to the producer."

Blackwell says the focus of many of the new products hitting the market is on cuts that have been overlooked in the past. 

Cut #3    :23       Outcue: "...the frozen food aisle."

According to Blackwell, there are both positives and negatives on the horizon.

Cut #4    :27       Outcue: "...the upcoming years."

Blackwell says several of the new beef product introductions were made possible through the industry’s R&D Ranch, which is funded through the beef checkoff.  The R&D Ranch is a new product development group, made up of experts in the field, that creates new production and marketing ideas for beef and works to get them introduced in the marketplace.