Beef Checkoff program: Difference between revisions

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The purpose of this program is to disburse funds to realize the "Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan": <https://www.beefboard.org/checkoff/about-checkoff/>
The purpose of this program is to disburse funds to realize the "Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan." <ref>https://www.beefboard.org/checkoff/about-checkoff/</ref>


It began in 1985 as an industry collaboration with Reagan's USDA to "promote beef" (shortly after extensive USDA training by [[Allan Savory]] from 1980-1982): <https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/beef>
= Origins =
 
It began in 1985 as an industry collaboration with Reagan's USDA to "promote beef" (shortly after extensive USDA training by [[Allan Savory]] from 1980-1982).<ref>https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/beef</ref>
 
= Marketing =


<blockquote>When Americans ask, “What’s for dinner?,” most will automatically reply: “Beef.” That’s hardly a surprise. Back in 1992 the industry spent $42 million of beef checkoff money spreading the slogan “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.”
<blockquote>When Americans ask, “What’s for dinner?,” most will automatically reply: “Beef.” That’s hardly a surprise. Back in 1992 the industry spent $42 million of beef checkoff money spreading the slogan “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.”
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...The USDA actually reviews the promotional messages prepared by checkoffs. As David Robinson Simon writes in his book "Meatonomics": ... "The background sounds you’re hearing are the imposing bass tones of the U.S. government . . . a lack of government involvement would likely lead to the decline—or maybe the end—of checkoffs.”<ref>
...The USDA actually reviews the promotional messages prepared by checkoffs. As David Robinson Simon writes in his book "Meatonomics": ... "The background sounds you’re hearing are the imposing bass tones of the U.S. government . . . a lack of government involvement would likely lead to the decline—or maybe the end—of checkoffs.”<ref>
https://www.salon.com/2016/04/03/this_is_why_you_crave_beef_inside_secrets_of_big_meats_billion_dollar_ad_and_lobbying_campaigns/</ref></blockquote>
https://www.salon.com/2016/04/03/this_is_why_you_crave_beef_inside_secrets_of_big_meats_billion_dollar_ad_and_lobbying_campaigns/</ref></blockquote>
= Funding =
Like other checkoff programs, the beef checkoff is funded by a mandatory fee on farmers large and small. This checkoff money is the primary funding source for large agribusiness industry groups - such as the [[National Cattlemen's Beef Association]], the [[National Pork Producers Council]], and the [[U.S. Dairy Export Council]].<ref>https://prospect.org/power/2023-04-04-big-ag-lobbies-against-farmers/</ref>

Revision as of 16:58, 5 April 2023

The purpose of this program is to disburse funds to realize the "Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan." [1]

Origins

It began in 1985 as an industry collaboration with Reagan's USDA to "promote beef" (shortly after extensive USDA training by Allan Savory from 1980-1982).[2]

Marketing

When Americans ask, “What’s for dinner?,” most will automatically reply: “Beef.” That’s hardly a surprise. Back in 1992 the industry spent $42 million of beef checkoff money spreading the slogan “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.”

As for its effectiveness, consider this quote from the industry’s own website: “In the minds of the many consumers hearing that question [‘What’s for dinner?’], a dominant answer has been planted: Beef. It’s what’s for dinner. Not just planted, in fact. Watered, nourished and cared for over the past two decades.”

...The USDA actually reviews the promotional messages prepared by checkoffs. As David Robinson Simon writes in his book "Meatonomics": ... "The background sounds you’re hearing are the imposing bass tones of the U.S. government . . . a lack of government involvement would likely lead to the decline—or maybe the end—of checkoffs.”[3]

Funding

Like other checkoff programs, the beef checkoff is funded by a mandatory fee on farmers large and small. This checkoff money is the primary funding source for large agribusiness industry groups - such as the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Pork Producers Council, and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.[4]