Every time a livestock animal is sold in the U.S., a dollar from that sale is put into the national Beef Checkoff. That fund is then used in six different program areas to benefit U.S. beef: promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications. Unfortunately, that means they’re not able to focus on issues on a smaller scale, like at the state level. Dr. Dan Thompson, a professor at Iowa State University, said that?s why Iowa producers started their own state checkoff- to gather the funds for state-specific research on things like nutrition, health, and carcasses.
Thompson said that producers have vocalized their desire for research on things like beef/dairy cross calves, among several other topics.
Thompson said that research doesn?t just give us all of the answers, though. The true answers come about when that research is discussed and utilized by producers.
Thompson added that it?s important for producers to consider the research benefits when deciding whether or not to participate in the state beef checkoff.
After all, Thompson said the Iowa beef checkoff isn?t just about the money- it?s about helping the Iowa beef industry to grow and become the best in the nation.
For more information, visit iabeef.org.
