The Federation of State Beef Councils represents the 43 Qualified State Beef Councils ( QSBCs ), and collectively , these QSBCs include more than 700 state board members representing every segment of the beef industry . The following report includes an overview of national programs developed by the National Cattlemen ’ s Beef Association , a contractor to the Beef Checkoff , which were supported by the Federation of State Beef Councils and extended by states locally .

The Federation of State Beef Councils builds a larger , more impactful , coordinated plan that is executed as a partnership between the Federation and individual state beef councils ( SBCs ). State beef councils voluntarily invest in the Federation each year . More than 50 % of the Federation ’ s annual budget supplements tactics within Authorization Requests ( ARs ) approved by the Beef Promotion Operating Committee ( BPOC ) and executed by NCBA , home of the Federation of State Beef Councils . Supplementing these tactics helps the national Checkoff program have a larger impact on consumer demand .

In 2023 , with input from SBC staff , the Federation Executive Committee approved nearly $ 3.8 million to supplement national efforts . Specific programs made possible by SBC contributions to the Federation include , but are not limited to :

PROMOTION State Beef Councils Supplement : $ 1,318,000

• Celebrity athlete Tony Romo was the spokesperson for Beef . It ’ s What ’ s For Dinner ., promoting beef across multiple campaigns including winter holiday content .

• With support from the Federation , content was created to showcase the Beef . It ’ s What ’ s For Dinner . brand focusing on moments throughout the year when families and friends gather together to enjoy beef .

• The Federation supported efforts to promote beef during the third annual Beef . It ’ s What ’ s for Dinner . 300 , the 42nd seasonopening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series , at Daytona International Speedway in February 2023 .

RESEARCH State Beef Councils Supplement : $ 1,000,000

• State investments in the Federation fund foundational research projects in the areas of product quality , beef safety , human nutrition , beef sustainability and market research . Research projects funded in FY23 include :

» Product Quality : Research is designed to improve beef quality , consistency , value and demand . Current projects include the study of new packaging technologies and the effects of freezing on beef quality and palatability .

» Beef Safety : Research focuses on cattle-borne pathogens and / or their resistance , such as a current project studying the impact of water and environmental management on Salmonella .

» Human Nutrition : Beef farmers and ranchers continue to support nutrition research to advance the understanding of beef ’ s role in a balanced and healthy diet . A current project is studying the effects of beef consumption on skeletal muscle protein .

CONSUMER INFORMATION State Beef Councils Supplement : $ 995,000

• E-commerce efforts put beef in online carts , and partnerships with retailers , foodservice operators and state beef councils generated significant beef sales .

• Information about beef ’ s role in a healthy diet was shared with health professionals through direct mailings to cardiologists and physicians .

• Popular food influencers shared beef recipes and educational content through their social media platforms , extending beef ’ s positive message to consumers from coast to coast .

• Federation funding made it possible to place sustainability content in national publications .

INDUSTRY INFORMATION State Beef Councils Supplement : $ 485,000

• This past year , the Masters of Beef Advocacy ( MBA ) sustainability content was updated .

• Ten Trailblazers from eight states were selected for the second cohort of beef community spokespeople , beginning the year-long program which includes in-person and virtual training opportunities to prepare the next generation of advocates who will help protect the reputation of the beef industry .

• The Beef Quality Assurance-Transportation modules were updated , and the National Beef Quality Assurance Awards recognized outstanding beef and dairy producers , marketers and educators from across the country .

• Results from the National Beef Quality Audit , conducted approximately every five years , were shared to help improve quality , minimize economic loss , and aid in advancements in producer education for the U . S . beef industry .

36 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2023