THE FEDERATION OF
STATE
BEEF COUNCILS
Building beef demand by inspiring, unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership.
UNITED IN THE FEDERATION
In 1963, when individual state beef councils( SBCs) saw a need to unify and leverage resources, the Federation of State Beef Councils was established. The tradition of collaboration continues today, and for the last 30 years, the National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association( NCBA) has been home to the Federation of State Beef Councils. As both home to the Federation and a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, NCBA plays a vital role in helping state beef councils access expertise and extend programming to get the most from producers’ investment.
Together, the Federation and the Beef Checkoff are driving demand for beef by using grassroots producer input during Checkoff Committee meetings and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. Here are a few examples of how producers guide this important work and how states benefit from their voluntary investment in the Federation of State Beef Councils.
Nutrition Seminar Program
The program works in collaboration with SBCs to provide influential, credentialed health and nutrition experts to speak on cutting-edge issues at State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics meetings, as well as other statewide meetings and conferences whose audiences include health professionals. A wide range of topics and speakers are available and can be tailored to meet each state’ s needs. In 2025, 27 states utilized the program.
E-Commerce
To ensure that beef’ s positive message is reaching existing as well as new online buyers, NCBA and the Beef Checkoff partner with national grocery retailers for e-commerce efforts. Ads inspire consumers to purchase beef throughout the year. Digital ads capture consumers’ attention through attractive beef photography showcasing seasonally relevant cuts and messaging along with the Beef. It’ s What’ s For Dinner. logo. The ads are placed on the retailer’ s website and app, as well as on popular lifestyle sites and occasionally a retailer’ s social platforms such as Pinterest.
Advertising NCBA’ s advertising experts worked with 36 state beef councils in the past year, serving as an in-house advertising agency, and helping stretch Checkoff dollars to their maximum potential. The team works with each state to develop goals and objectives, identify potential digital platforms, implement advertising campaigns and report progress. From digital, audio and video ads to display ads and even outdoor billboards, more than 114 million beef ad impressions were served on behalf of state beef councils from Oct. 1, 2025, through April 13, 2026. This advertising has resulted in more than 38 million consumer actions and engagements with the Beef. It’ s What’ s For Dinner. brand.
Another benefit is the detailed performance analytics available following each campaign. Digital ads are tracked, and states know exactly where and when ads are displayed, who sees them, if they are clicked and how consumers engage with the information. This is powerful data that SBCs can use to determine effectiveness and plan future campaigns.
Consumer Insights Dashboards
State Consumer Insights Dashboards measure and compare consumer behaviors and preferences related to beef and other proteins in different states to a national benchmark. The results provide a directional read with historical trends and can be used as one of many tools to help states plan for their respective fiscal year. The service is offered for free to all states through NCBA’ s Market Research team.
THE FEDERATION AT YOUR SERVICE
In addition to the funds invested which supplement the integrated state / national plan, state beef council investments also provide services for states and support the governance of the Federation. A variety of services are available at no additional cost to state beef councils, including creative and design services, communications assistance, IT and website support, human resources facilitation, as well as staff and leadership development, training and education.
To learn more about the Federation of State Beef Councils, visit ncba. org / federation. Look for information about NCBA’ s work as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff in upcoming issues of National Cattlemen.
www. NCBA. org NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 15