Producer Support of Beef Checkoff Remains High

The majority of beef and dairy producers maintain their support of the beef checkoff, despite unfavorable weather conditions and the declining economy threatening the industry.

According to a survey by Boulder, Colo.-based Aspen Media & Market Research, an overwhelming 74 percent of beef and dairy producers believe that their beef checkoff is valuable to them in many ways:

• Eight out of 10 producers said the beef checkoff has contributed to a positive trend in beef demand.
• Seven out of 10 producers said the beef checkoff contributes to the profitability of their operations, is supportive during crises and represents their interests.
• Two in three beef producers believe the checkoff is well managed.

“The beef checkoff has, for nearly 26 years, served the beef industry with programs producers want and that we see as working for us to ‘contribute to a positive trend in consumer demand for beef,’” said Hank Maxey Jr., chairman of the nationwide Joint Producer Communications Committee (JPCC). “It’s an increasingly completive world, and for beef producers to continue to succeed, we have to be able to not only produce a safe, healthful and sustainable product, we [also] have to promote its benefits in this county and worldwide. We can only do this by working together through the beef checkoff.”

The survey was conducted in June and July of 2012, comprising 900 beef and dairy producers.