Accomplishments

Beef checkoff efforts aim to increase profit opportunities for producers by keeping beef top of mind with consumers and purveyors and working to ensure a wholesome and quality beef eating experience every time. Efforts include:

• Promoting high quality U.S. beef in more than 80 foreign countries.

• Working to continue growth in beef demand.

• Funding product enhancement and beef safety research programs to address safety and quality issues.

• Investing an average of $4 million annually on beef safety and product technology research.

• Delivering beef enjoyment messages to consumers through a checkoff-funded national radio and print advertising campaign that reached 94 percent of targeted adults more than 16 times in 2005 at a cost-per-impression of less than a penny.

• Teaching youth how beef fits into a healthy and active lifestyle through the checkoff-funded Web site, www.zip4tweens.com.

• Sending a bi-weekly e-newsletter, the “Dinner Bell” to thousands of consumer subscribers with menu planning ideas, as well as recipes, shopping advice, and nutritional information. Sign up at www. beefitswhatsfordinner.com.

• Introducing new products into the marketplace. Since the checkoff began focusing on new product development efforts in 1998, more than 2,500 new beef products have come to market.