Beef Briefs: June 2009
Contact: , 402-856-2097;
Look for Beef Briefs to be delivered the first of each month -- your snapshot of beef checkoff news affecting the dairy and beef industries. Editor’s note: please feel free to use these beef “blurbs” as space allows in your publication or online content. If you would like to expand on a certain topic, please e-mail Melissa Slagle at mslagle@beefboard.org.
In case you missed it…
… Beef Board members share a little about themselves with Chuck Jolley, Cattlenetwork
… Exports of U.S. beef registered a solid performance in March, led by a surge in beef exports to Vietnam, Japan and the Middle East.
… One quarter of consumers surveyed indicated they are more concerned about food safety than they were six months ago.
Still Performing Well
The most recent checkoff data about the grocery store meat case comes from March 2009. Once again this month, the sales trends were impacted by holiday timing as this year Easter fell on April 12, whereas it fell on March 23 in 2008. This contributed to stronger year-over-year sales for beef. Dollar sales for beef were far ahead of total meat. Beef dollar sales increased versus the comparable year ago. Beef's pound sales increased, exceeding both meat and pork. Like the trend for dollar sales, pound sales for beef exceeded the increase for total meat volume for the month, quarter and year. Also in March, the average price for beef fell to $3.48. Click here for more information.
Education in the Caribbean
The beef checkoff recently provided a Caribbean retailer team a firsthand look at U.S. beef production as part of efforts to increase demand for U.S. beef there. The team got an in-depth look at the genetics, breeding, herd management and feeding practices in the United States, and beef exports to the Caribbean are on an upward trend. Click here for additional information.
Don’t Tailgate without It!
Beef, that is. When summer winds down and cooler temperatures bring the first whiff of football season, the intensity spills over from the football field to the parking lot – it’s time for tailgating! Whether it’s a snack or a smorgasbord, beef is the perfect grab-and-go accompaniment for celebrating before the game. The beef checkoff continues to provide retailers with merchandising ideas to help make the most of tailgating fever to bump up beef sales. What are some of the top sellers? Beef top sirloin steak and beef top loin steak, beef ribeye steak, top round steak, and beef chuck pot roast and beef bottom round pot roast. Click here to learn more about beef cuts.
Sweet Beef Tweets
Time for Tweeting! Follow the checkoff-funded Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner on Twitter. This social media channel provides an opportunity for consumers and producers to share beef recipes, preparation tips, positive news on beef’s body benefits and much more. It’s the most comprehensive online resource for smart advice on purchasing, preparing and enjoying beef, and it’s a great tool to extend checkoff-funded brand awareness and engagement efforts and tap into that passion for beef.
You’ve Got E-Mail!
In the same ol’ rut with recipes? Need inspiration for family dinners, special holidays or “just another Saturday?” Itching to ask a question about beef? The beef checkoff has the answer with the Beef So Simple e-newsletter. Sign up for delicious beef recipes delivered directly to your mailbox every week. Plus, enjoy plenty of additional tips, techniques and information about America’s favorite protein!
True Masters
It’s time to become a true master…Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) candidates have to complete six hour-long courses. Afterward, each candidate is invited to attend a full-day “final exam/graduation” ceremony to hone his or her skills in online advocacy, public speaking and working with the media. To date, more than 500 people have already enrolled in the program. The majority of them are beef producers, but there are also veterinarians, restaurant owners, chefs and more. Graduates have already had their first action alert. On Earth Day, they were called upon to write letters to newspaper editors and post comments about online stories to correct misinformation and to spread a positive message about agriculture’s relationship to the environment. Graduates are also invited to join the MBA’s private social networking site where they can share their experiences, advice and successes. Sign up to become a true master (of beef advocacy) by sending an e-mail to MBA@beef.org.
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
Funded by the Beef Checkoff.
SOCIAL MEDIA