By Scout Nelson
Collaboration is vital in the beef industry. State beef councils like the Kansas Beef Council (KBC) and Arizona Beef Council (ABC) exemplify this by joining forces to promote the value of U.S. beef.
Recently, KBC partnered with ABC to make the most of checkoff dollars and raise awareness about beef’s nutritional benefits. The Arizona council hosted the Nutrition Gate to Plate Tour near Phoenix, the fifth most populated city in the United States.
The tour welcomed 19 dietetic interns from the University of Arizona, offering them direct exposure to the cattle industry, including topics like animal care, sustainability, genetics, and modern technologies like virtual fencing.
An essential part of the tour was a session led by Emma Mortensen, a registered dietitian with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). She addressed widespread myths about beef nutrition and provided evidence-based insights that resonated with participants.
The impact was clear in the post-tour survey results. Before the tour, only 46.2% of attendees said they would recommend beef as often as other proteins, while 53.8% recommended it less often. After the experience, 54.5% would now recommend beef as often, and 36.4% would recommend it more frequently than other proteins.
This shift underscores the power of informed education and strategic use of checkoff dollars. By partnering, state beef councils can broaden their influence and reach, especially in major urban areas where consumer misconceptions often persist.
Efforts like these play a crucial role in strengthening beef’s image and providing nutrition professionals with accurate, firsthand information that benefits both the industry and public understanding.
Photo Credit:/national-cattleman-s-beef-association
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Beef Cattle