2006 News Archive
Painted from hood to tail lights with pictures of juicy steaks and burgers, the checkoff-funded Beefmobile vans are moving billboards for the industry and an up close and personal way for U.S. beef producers to find out how their checkoff dollars are being invested, according to Stacy LOT-ZEN-HIZER, a 2006 Beefmobile “wrangler,” who grew up on a Colorado cow-calf operation.
Cut 1: :35 Outcue: “…someone to visit with about the checkoff.”
Two vans, manned by three wranglers, will make 250 stops across the nation this year, in places where cows and cattlemen live. Wranglers pass out information and speak directly with producers about specific checkoff-funded efforts and results.
Cut 2: :29 Outcue: “…and brochures about the checkoff.”
Since the eye-catching Beefmobile hit the road in 2004, it’s made 526 stops in 44 states—and won an award in 2005 for the best producer-funded PR program from the National Agri-Marketing Association.
Cut 3: :24 Outcue: “…buy a steak tonight.”
Upcoming Beefmobile stops include California, New York, Oregon and Ohio. Check the web site to request a visit or to see if the Beefmobile is coming to an auction or event near you. Producer feedback is welcomed, LOT-ZEN-HISER says.
Cut 4: :28 Outcue: “…call in and give us a request.”
The Beefmobile program is coordinated by the National Livestock Producers’ Association, on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. The Beef Board is a group of 108 producers appointed by the US. Secretary of Agriculture. Beef Board members represent producers from coast-to-coast and volunteer their time to identify programs that can help increase beef demand. The checkoff, established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill, assesses $1 per head on the sale of all live domestic and imported bovine animals and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents to the Beef Board, which administers checkoff program efforts, subject to USDA approval.