Statement Regarding Latest HSUS Video Release

Checkoff News

Statement Regarding Latest HSUS Video Release

By Dave Bateman, Oregon, Ill. Beef Producer

Chairman, Cattlemen's Beef Board

May 8, 2008

 

A primary goal of the beef checkoff has been to build consumer confidence in our product. Throughout its history, the checkoff has funded beef safety and product research, educated consumers about the safety and nutritional attributes of beef, and has communicated producers’ humane treatment of their animals. From stringent feeding guidelines to processing protocols, there are multiple safety hurdles in the beef production chain before our product arrives at our schools, grocery stores or restaurants. Beef producers understand that animal care and raising cattle go hand-in-hand. We know that giving animals the proper care, handling and nutrition they deserve is the right thing to do. We stand behind this principle with educational programs such as the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification program, which outlines the essential elements for cattle care on the farm. The beef checkoff remains committed to doing what it can to maintain these high standards. 

To illustrate this commitment, the checkoff-funded BQA program and the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), recently released an auction market BQA training DVD titled “Focal Point, an Auction Market BQA Guide”. The checkoff BQA program has also created and distributed a transportation training video on proper hauling procedures.

If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Heinze at 303-867-6319 (lheinze@beefboard.org) or Melissa Slagle at 303-867-6306 (mslagle@beefboard.org). Thank you.