California Ag Network

Tag: Beef Checkoff

  • NorCal Dairy Tour Provides Beef/Dairy Nutrition and Sustainability Insights

    If you think school lunch begins in the cafeteria, you’d be mistaken. It starts back at its nutritional roots…on the farm. Recently, the California Beef Council (CBC), in partnership with the Dairy Council of California, took 55 future healthcare professionals, students, educators, and school nutrition professionals to DeSnayer Dairy in Lodi, California to learn about and see firsthand the critical role dairy farms play in sustainable agriculture and supporting school nutrition programs.

    “We chose DeSnayer Dairy Farm for this tour because they operate sustainably, with practices that optimize resource use and reduce environmental impact,” said Kori Dover, the CBC’s Director of Food & Nutrition Outreach. “Attendees were able to engage with firsthand experiences and demonstrations that showcased the interconnectedness of food production, consumption, and sustainability.”

    Participants gained insights into the lifecycle of dairy production from feed management to milking, and learned how the dairy industry contributes to the beef supply chain. Most importantly, the group gained a deeper understanding of how these two agricultural sectors-beef and dairy-contribute to providing nutritious food options for school programs and consumers.

    “Tours like this help foster an open dialogue about production practices,” Dover said. “They go a long way toward dispelling myths, clarifying common misconceptions, and building trust. Our goal with events like these is to develop and nurture strong connections between agricultural sectors and educational entities.”

    So, how are these two agricultural sectors connected? Beef and dairy-both top agricultural commodities in California-are nutrient-dense foods that provide high-quality protein and other essential nutrients necessary at all stages of life. In addition, dairy cattle are a significant part of the U.S. beef supply, contributing between 18% and 24% to the total U.S. beef supply since 2002. This contribution equates to a larger amount of choice and prime cuts for consumers.

    “Open dialogue about dairy and beef cattle farming and production practices goes a long way toward building trust between our beef and dairy producers, and educational stakeholders,” Dover said. “It’s an important partnership with significant benefits for all concerned.”

    For more information about food and nutrition outreach programs, contact Kori Dover at kori@calbeef.org. For more information on the CBC, visit calbeef.org.

    About the California Beef Council

    The California Beef Council (CBC) was established in 1954 to serve as the promotion, research, and education arm of the California beef industry, and is mandated by the California Food and Agricultural Code. The CBC’s mission is to amplify the voice of the California beef industry to strengthen beef demand through innovative promotions, research, and open communication. For more information, visit calbeef.org.

    About the Beef Checkoff

    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 may 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.

    About the Dairy Council of California

    Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization overseen by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Funded by California’s dairy farm families and milk processors, we are the dairy community’s philanthropic contribution to community health, positively impacting countless lives advancing milk and dairy’s unique and essential contributions to healthy, sustainable eating patterns.

    Dairy Council of California also works to secure grant funding for community nutrition projects. We value collaboration and partner with organizations with shared values to extend our collective impact through collaboration and co-creation. For more information, visit dairycouncilofca.org.

  • Reports Detailing 2022 National Beef Quality Audit Results Now Available

    Approximately every five years, the beef cattle industry undergoes a National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), funded by the Beef Checkoff, to help determine quality conformance of the U.S. beef supply. Reports detailing 2022 NBQA results are now available at www.bqa.org. The Market Cows and Bulls and Fed Cattle reports outline where the beef supply chain is making positive changes as well as areas for improvement.

    “The NBQA gives us an idea of what we need to be focusing on as an industry,” said Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch and chair of the Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Group. “We can celebrate successes in safety, quality and efficiency and we can challenge ourselves on what we can do better.”

    Since 1991, the NBQA provides an understanding of what quality means to the various industry sectors, and the value of those quality attributes. This research helps the industry make modifications necessary to increase the value of its products.

    The findings from the 2022 NBQA serve to improve quality, minimize economic loss, and aid in advancements in producer education for the U.S. beef industry. The 2022 NBQA provides valuable information about the production of live cattle into beef carcasses and serves as a benchmark for the beef industry.

    The NBQA remains an important measure for the U.S. beef industry as it strives to improve quality and consumer demand. Results from the 2022 NBQA can be utilized by all segments of beef production to improve upon current management practices and implement innovative techniques ultimately enhancing consistency and quality of cattle and beef products across the U.S. beef supply chain.

    For more information about the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit and to read the reports, visit the Beef Quality Assurance website at www.bqa.org. A special episode of Cattlemen to Cattlemen highlighting 2022 NBQA results is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8N9FvdDa4k.

    About the Beef Checkoff
    The Beef Checkoff 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 may retain up to 50 cents of 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.

    About NCBA, a Contractor to the Beef Checkoff
    The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The Beef Checkoff is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.