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2009 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Quickly Approaching

Knowledge, foresight and expertise all merge as the cattle industry convenes in Denver, Colo., for its 2009 summer conference. During the week beginning July 13, Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) members will review and evaluate proposals for checkoff-funded promotion, education, research and information programs aimed at increasing demand for beef during the coming year. They will also approve a national checkoff budget for Fiscal Year 2010, which begins Oct. 1, 2009.

Organizations holding summer meetings during the conference include the CBB; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA); the American National CattleWomen (ANCW); Cattle-Fax; and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. General business kicks off with a Beef Industry General Session on Thursday, July 16, focused on current industry conditions and challenges. At the CBB Update Session that afternoon, CBB members will discuss current checkoff issues, including contracting budgets and updates on current USDA initiatives affecting the beef industry.

“This conference is an opportunity for producers and importers from all segments of the beef industry to come to Denver and work on common issues,” says Lucinda Williams, dairy producer from Hatfield, Mass., and CBB chair. “There are a lot of tough decisions to be made in our industry right now and I have great confidence that we’ll all be able to work together to focus our limited resources on those programs which will give us the best opportunity to accomplish our goals. And as it goes with farmers and ranchers, when the days’ work is done, we also enjoy the company of good friends – it’s just over the dinner table instead of the fencepost!”

Preceding committee and subcommittee meetings, General Session II on Friday morning, July 17, will set the stage for this important day. Checkoff leadership will present the challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry in the coming year to prepare committee members for their review of project proposals for Fiscal Year 2010, so it is an important session for all joint committee members to attend.

“This year we’re again focused on building existing programs that reinforce consumer confidence in the safety of beef, educating foreign customers about the quality and versatility of U.S. beef, and showcase the nutritional value of beef,” says Williams. “All-the-while, we’re telling the industry’s story about environmental stewardship and animal welfare. The week is going to be a busy one, but it’s very rewarding knowing that we’re working on behalf of the 800,000-plus farmers and ranchers who work hard to provide healthy, nutritious food to Americans every day.”

And, for those who are unable to attend, be sure to visit www.BeefBoardMeeting.com for all the conference highlights.

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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 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.


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