October 9, 2003 - States Play Huge Role in National Checkoff Effort

The involvement of 45 qualified state beef councils in the national beef checkoff can’t be overstated.  According to Jan Lyons, a beef producer from Manhattan, Kansas, the Beef Operating Committee, which makes decisions on what national projects to conduct with checkoff funds and involves states, is at the foundation of the process.

Cut #1     :33        Outcue: "...impact beef demand."

Lyons, who has served as chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, says everything starts with state beef councils.

Cut #2     :26        Outcue: "...and national programs."

According to Lyons, the current president-elect of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, much of the deliberation of what kinds of national programs will be conducted starts at the committee level.

Cut #3     :30        Outcue: "...to address beef demand."

The Beef Promotion Operating Committee met to determine what checkoff projects would be conducted in fiscal year 2004 on September 17 and 18.  The fiscal year started October 1.