BEEF BOARD RELEASES FISCAL 2003 ANNUAL REPORT 

DENVER (Jan. 16, 2004) - The volunteer producer leaders of the Beef Checkoff Program invested checkoff dollars into programs aimed at accomplishing a medley of promotion, research and information objectives to extend the upward trend in consumer demand for beef during the last year. 

Those programs are outlined in the 2003 annual report of the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board, released this week. The annual report highlights some of the leading checkoff programs accomplished during the year and provides detailed, audited financial information for the 2003 fiscal year, which ran Oct. 1, 2002 through Sept. 30, 2003. The report includes state-by-state checkoff revenue listings and compares 2003 expenditures to those in 2002. 

During the latest fiscal year, checkoff programs spanned the spectrum, from "Beef. It's What's for Dinner" television, radio and print advertising promoting beef and veal to research efforts focused on maintaining the safety of the U.S. beef supply. In addition, checkoff dollars funded consumer information programs aimed at delivering positive messages about beef to media, consumers, health professionals and educators, as well as foreign-marketing efforts to build demand for U.S. beef abroad, and producer communications programs (including the annual report itself) to deliver messages to cattlemen about how their checkoff dollars are being invested. 

"During fiscal 2003, we invested in programs focused on beef safety, nutrition and promotion," said Beef Board Chairman Andy Tucker, a producer from Rockledge, Fla. "Our main focus always remains on building consumer demand for beef and, as a result, enhancing profit opportunities for producers. As a producer and member of this volunteer board, I truly believe that the programs we initiated and continued in 2003 helped us identify and capitalize on consumer trends and research in the U.S. and worldwide that enhance opportunities for growth in our industry." 

"As we begin with immense challenges again in 2004," Tucker continued, "we have already been served by the preparation and education efforts of past years, including 2003, as they give us the base we need to surmount the hurdles ahead. This report highlights some of those efforts, and I hope producers take the time to study the work we've been doing and give their constructive ideas for improvements or changes that will unite our industry as we move toward the same ultimate goals." 

The annual report for 2003 and those for several previous years can be accessed online at www.beefboard.org by clicking on the "Financial & Audit" button on the home page, and then on the "2003 Annual Report" button. Free copies of the report also are available by writing to the Beef Board at 9110 E. Nichols Ave., Ste. 303, Centennial, CO 80112, by calling 303-850-3465, or by sending a request via email to beefboard@beef.org.