Oct. 28, 2004 - International Beef Demand is Key to Checkoff Program

Cattle producers across the country are optimistic that a recently-announced framework for opening the Japanese border to U.S. beef will soon provide added markets for their product.  According to Monte Reese, chief operating officer for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, producers involved in the national Beef Checkoff Program have seen the value of focusing on the export market from the beginning.

Cut #1     :16        Outcue: "...for improved profits."

The foreign markets haven’t been ignored over the past year. 

Cut #2     :28        Outcue: "...open to U.S. beef."

Reese says the message has tried to maintain confidence in beef from this country.

Cut #3     :23        Outcue: "...the barriers fall down."

According to Reese, differences in culture and product needs have a lot to do with the importance of opening up the export markets.

Cut #4     :35        Outcue: "...beef checkoff is all about."

The national Beef Checkoff is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, a group of 108 beef producers from across the country who volunteer their time to help create programs that will help build demand for beef.  The program was created in the 1985 Farm Bill, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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