Oct. 22, 2004 - Many Producers Involved in Determining Checkoff Direction

The Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which makes the final determination of which checkoff programs are funded, met recently in Denver to review proposed research, information and promotion programs and allocate national checkoff dollars.  Al Svajgr (Swagger), vice chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, says it’s a structured process with varied results because the committee changes year to year.

Cut #1    :42       Outcue: "...as we move forward."

According to Svajgr, matching the programs to the available dollars is no easy task. 

Cut #2    :22       Outcue: "...bring the projects forward."

The members of the committee, who serve without pay, are committed to choosing the right projects that have the most impact on beef demand.

Cut #3    :08       Outcue: "...with the dollars we have."

The national Beef Checkoff Program fiscal year began Oct. 1.  It is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, a group of 108 beef producers nominated 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.