Beef Briefs: May 2011
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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 news items 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…
… Here’s a review of foreign marketing activities in all countries during the second quarter of FY 2011.
… New testimonial videos from Texas have been posted on the MyBeefCheckoff YouTube channel.
… An online training program for cattle transporters was recently developed in English and Spanish.
Spring Veal Tour
On April 28, the Pennsylvania Beef Council hosted an educational Veal Tour at Marcho Farms, Franconia, Pa. Nearly 20 students and instructors from the Philadelphia Art Institute's Culinary Program attended the one-day, invitation-only event. Participants received a first-hand look at the veal industry, from farm gate to dinner plate, including tours of the barn, feed company, and slaughter and fabrication facilities. Veal industry experts were on hand to address checkoff-funded veal issues management and quality assurance, and host an in-depth panel discussion. Click here for more information.
Japan Recovery Webinar
On April 26, the beef checkoff hosted a webinar with Philip Seng, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. Phil was recently in Japan and gave a “from the field” report on the current state of the economy, the resumption of trade and marketing activity and the beef industry’s involvement in assisting the people of Japan with their relief and recovery efforts. Here is a link to the full webinar presentation.
For additional information:
- Presentation slide deck.
- News release about the investment from the Beef Board and the Federation of State Beef Councils.
Click here for more information about your checkoff investment in foreign marketing programs.
Analysis of Global Meat Industry
An analysis of global meat industry research on the storage life of beef, pork and lamb products is now being made available. Conducted by Colorado State University's Center for Meat Safety and Quality in the university's Department of Animal Science, the report compiles industry research conducted around the world and outlines a number of factors that affect product storage life, including:
- Pre-harvest factors
- Production processes used to control microbial contamination
- Packaging systems and materials
- International meat transport
- Methods of extending storage life
- Identification of storage time limit requirements of U.S. trading partners
The "Research Recap" provides an overview of the Colorado State University (CSU) literature review. A full copy of the CSU report is available here.
Funding for the research was provided through the USDA Market Access Program (MAP).
Beef Promotions Featuring Local Cattle Farmers
From May 1 through May 15, the beef checkoff is partnering with Nash Finch for the Grocery Wholesaler Beef Roundup promotion. Nash Finch’s 47 corporate stores in 8 states – Econofoods, Sunmart, Family Fresh Market, and Pick n’ Save – will be launching the checkoff’s Slice-n-Save program as part of the promotion. The merchandising program will feature three sub-primal Angus Pride cuts: boneless beef ribeye, boneless beef top loin strip, and boneless beef top sirloin. Also as part of the promotion, cattle farmers from Iowa will be featured on posters, recipe brochures, and slice-n-save on-pack labels.
Eat Beef for Bone Health
Osteoporosis is a major health concern affecting nearly 50 million Americans. Controversy persists about whether consuming meat protein is good or bad for calcium nutrition and bone health. The beef checkoff supported research led by Jay Cao, Ph.D., and his associates at USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center to further examine this topic and the findings were recently published in the January 2011 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. Read more here.
Forecast: Foodservice Growth
This year's 2011 Foodservice Overview from Nation's Restaurant News points to positive industry growth in the year ahead and shares insights on consumer trends, which is positive news for the beef checkoff's foodservice program. Get the details.
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.
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