Beef USA -

Federation of State Beef Councils to Celebrate 50th Anniversary in 2013

NCBA — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

- Started as Beef Industry Council, Federation found home in NCBA

CENTENNIAL, CO – It was a presence well before the mandatory $1-per-head beef checkoff was created in 1985. And in 2013 the Federation of State Beef Councils will recognize that presence, celebrating its 50th anniversary as a force for grassroots participation in beef checkoff programs.

The Federation was created as the Beef Industry Council of the National Live Stock and Meat Board in 1963. It moved to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) when the Meat Board and National Cattlemen’s Association merged in 1996 to form NCBA. While it has had two homes in its lifetime, the Federation’s role has not changed through the years, according to Federation Chairman Craig Uden, a beef producer from Elwood, Neb.

“The Federation helps assure that grassroots producers, through their state beef councils, have significant input in the workings of the national Beef Checkoff Program,” said Uden. “That grassroots control was paramount to producers when the mandatory checkoff was created in the 1980s. But it really got its start when state beef councils began establishing their own programs more than a half century ago and pushed for a national effort.”

By the time the BIC was created in 1963, five states – Montana and California in 1954, Alabama and Florida in 1955 and Oregon in 1959 – had created their own state checkoff programs, and supported a coordinated national effort that could build on their efforts. More states would soon join them; by 1980 another 25 states had formed councils. Today there are 45 state beef councils qualified by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to collect the $1-per-head mandatory national beef checkoff in their states.

Beef Councils voted overwhelmingly in July, 2010 to maintain their partnership between the Federation and NCBA, while creating more independence for the Federation. Since that time, Federation leaders and staff have been working to perfect a structure that ensures greater independence, while still preserving a 16-year successful working relationship with NCBA.

The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States with qualified beef councils retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

The NCBA, a contractor to the beef checkoff, was established in 1898. Through its Federation Division the organization helps preserve the strength of the industry through consumer promotion and education, working to create new markets and increase demand for beef.

The Power of Partnerships

NCBA — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

DENVER - Seventy-two executives, staff members and volunteers from 32 state beef councils gathered to launch the 2013 beef checkoff plan of work during the Partnerships in Action Conference (PIA), Oct. 16-18, in Denver. SBC representatives provided input on nationally-conducted checkoff programs and learned strategies to extend programs in their own states, using resources and staff expertise available to them as part of the Federation state-national partnership.

Jason Carter, executive director of the Virginia Beef Industry Council, was one of four new beef council executives attending his first checkoff launch. Carter said the meeting, along with the creative cross-country camaraderie, was one reason Virginia invested in the Federation of State Beef Councils in FY 2013.

“As a Federation member, Virginia will have better access to program staff and resources, especially through kickoff meetings like this one,” Carter said. “I’ve had the opportunity to make contacts with other beef council execs, talk about what’s worked or not worked for them and find resources that will benefit us throughout the year.”

The PIA meeting, along with an orientation for new state beef council directors and staff (March 5-7, 2013), are two annual meetings supported by the checkoff through the Federation of State Beef Councils.

“Bright Idea” Awardees: A panel of independent judges honored state beef councils for marketing savvy and creativity in state-based beef promotions, public relations and special events. The first-ever “Bright Idea” awards were presented at the Partnerships in Action Conference Oct. 16-18, in Denver.

Representing winning states are: (1st row, L to R) Erin Beasley, Ala.; Jean O’Toole, N.Y.; George Quackenbush, Mich.; Kaiti George, Neb. (2nd row, L to R) Carol Gillis, N.Y., Stephen Russell, Kan.; Jennifer Matison, Texas; Audrey Monroe, Kan.; Sharla Huseman, Kan.; Kristin Wilkins, Pa. (red); Deena Robinson, Kan.; Heather Buckmaster, Okla.; Adam Wegner, Neb. Earning the “Best of Bright Ideas” honors was the Michigan Beef Industry Commission.

Illinois Beef Association: Working Together

NCBA — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

DENVER - November’s beef council profile is a conversation with Reid Blossom, executive director of the Illinois Beef Association, which operates on a “two-hat state” structure.

Q. How is the Illinois beef industry faring today?

A: Evaluating the state’s industry now can't be done without acknowledging the drought our producers have faced for the last two years. Many of our cattlemen have been forced to sell cows, buy feed and take other steps necessary to deal with the consequences of being 10 inches to 20 inches behind on rainfall. Despite this, the Illinois cattle industry has some of the sharpest cattlemen in the country. We are one of the few states east of the Mississippi River to have every segment of the production chain, from cow-calf to harvest. Additionally, some of the most recognized and successful seedstock operations are located in the Land of Lincoln.

Q. What is the state’s beef checkoff history?

A. The checkoff in Illinois has a long history, tracing back to one of the oldest state promotion programs, which started in 1963. Today, checkoff dollars are spent in Illinois in a variety of areas from producer-led BQA certification efforts to large scale consumer gatherings like the Illinois State Fair and various events in the Chicagoland area. It’s the country’s third largest metro area, with a population of more than 9.8 million people. Among IBA’s 2013 program priorities are to continue educating cattlemen on how to be better stewards of their land and animals – and giving producers more opportunities to talk about their beef operations to consumers and thought leaders.

Q. What kinds of advantages do you think the two-hat organizational structure provides to your fellow cattlemen and the state industry?

A: Certainly IBA’s checkoff work is a benefactor of our operating status as a two-hat state. Our statewide board of checkoff directors meets in conjunction with our dues directors as two divisions of our IBA’s board of governors. The checkoff directors and their representatives on our executive committee independently make all decisions on funding and budgeting of checkoff dollars. A benefit to our checkoff-funded work surfaces when local affiliate leaders and other interested cattlemen, some of whom sit as dues directors on our board, are able to plug themselves in to volunteer with promotion activities. Simply put, more cattlemen sitting down to talk about what we can all do together benefits us all.

Illinois at a Glance

The Numbers: The IBA represents 1,700 members, more than 14,000 cattle producers and nearly 430,000 head of cattle statewide
The Business: State beef consumption and production represents a $4.5 billion industry
Federation Seat(s): One director seat, held by Susan Head
Consumer Market: State is home to more than 12.8 million consumers

Visit: www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois Beef Association’s Board: “More cattlemen sitting down to talk…benefits us all,” says IBA Executive Director Reid Blossom. The two-hat IBA board includes officers and directors for both the checkoff and policy divisions, as well as at-large directors and ex officio non-voting members.

Right Makes Might

NCBA — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

DENVER - For the past 20 years, the Washington State Beef Commission (WSBC) has measured its beef checkoff efforts by a nine-word mission statement: “To increase demand for beef by exceeding consumer expectations."

While the WSBC accomplishes this through a hearty focus on in-state promotions, it also supports group marketing efficiency by sending voluntary checkoff dollars to the Federation of State Beef Councils.

“The mission statement guides our state efforts and underpins our belief that there is marketing strength in numbers,” said Patti Brumbach, who has been WSBC executive director for 22 years. “Nationally, we pool resources with other states because it’s an efficient and effective way to reach our shared objectives.”

While Washington isn’t considered a large beef-producing state, it has unique characteristics that guide the state’s $543million beef industry and its emphasis on consumer marketing.

“We’re a microcosm of the beef industry,” Brumbach said. “Every industry sector is represented in Washington, and on our board. As for marketing, we have a large, mostly affluent population and we’re also geographically well-positioned for Pacific Rim exports.”

To capitalize on these advantages and set an efficient and effective annual checkoff program, WSBC board relies on significant assistance from Federation-funded strategic planning and market research teams. These high-level services are available through Washington’s Federation investment, Brumbach said.

To further maximize resources, the WSBC uses Federation-funded business services such as human resources, IT and design services support. The state can also tap into expertise of national checkoff program staff, for specific professional guidance in areas like nutrition and market research.

“As a beef council, we’re generalists – jacks-of-all-trades,” Brumbach said. “Having national support in these areas is a tremendous advantage in freeing commission funds for other marketing efforts at the state level.”

Partnerships are another hallmark of many WSBC projects. One example is an annual tailgating promotion surrounding a popular college football rivalry. Partners include a retailer with 67 local outlets – who enjoyed an 8 percent increase in beef sales during 2011’s four-week promotion, Brumbach said. Certified Angus Beef is another partner, providing beef for the 8,000 cups of chili beef producers serve to fans on game day.

The WSBC also places a high priority on its Trust Initiative, designed to tell the modern beef production story and build consumer trust in the state’s beef industry. The initiative includes support for food banks, vital community service projects (like feeding those displaced by last summer’s wildfires), on-farm tours and beef sampling events. A key component of these efforts is that real Washington farmers and ranchers are at every event.

Brumbach noted that the state-national checkoff relationship has always been important to WSBC’s vigorous marketing efforts. The partnership delivers the efficiencies and expertise needed to execute the mission-specific programs that are important to the WSBC board.

WSBC at a Glance

Founded: In 1969, via state legislation.
Checkoff: State collects $1.50; 50 cents goes to Cattlemen’s Beef Board. WSBC determines how to allocate the remaining $1.
Famous For: WSBC launched the Holiday Roast promotion 20 years ago. It’s still used each year by many state beef councils and has delivered an estimated 6 million holiday roast brochures to consumers.
Issues Milestones: As the state hit by both the 1993 E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak at Jack in the Box and the first U.S. case of BSE, the WSBC has walked the walk on groundbreaking issues management cases.