The future of the beef industry is bright and heartening, if the National Beef Ambassador program is any indication.  Five young people from U.S. cattle operations have been traveling the country this year to visit with both consumers and producers as part of the effort, which is coordinated on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board by the American National CattleWomen.  The program is funded through the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff.

Casey Clark is the Beef Ambassador from Texas.  She says this program is right up her alley.

Cut #1      :20         Outcue: "...four top placers."

According to Casey, whose family has a beef cattle operation just outside of Ft. Worth, this program is giving her the chance of a lifetime.   

Cut #2      :19         Outcue: "...because of the title."

Traveling is a big part of the education.

Cut #3      :25         Outcue: "...National Beef Cook-Off."

This is just the beginning of the process, according to Casey.

Cut #4      :34         Outcue: "...a breed organization."

The National Beef Ambassador program has been coordinated by the American National CattleWomen since 1988.  The checkoff-funded competition selects about five young people each year to act as spokespersons for the beef industry.  Oversight for all national beef checkoff programs is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  

The national Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, a group of 108 beef producers appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.  They represent producers from coast-to-coast and volunteer their time to help identify programs that can help increase beef demand.  The checkoff was created in the 1985 Farm Bill, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle and a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

The American National CattleWomen, Inc. is a trade association of America's affiliated CattleWomen, with the primary focus of promotion and consumer education regarding beef as a safe and nutritious food, and the production of beef cattle as an industry.  In 2002, the CattleWomen celebrated 50 years of dedication to the beef industry, with a full schedule of upcoming events including the 25^th anniversary Cook-Off.

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