The Beef Checkoff is a grassroots program led by volunteer cattle producers and importers and overseen by the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Here's a quick, simple snapshot of how Checkoff-funded work moves from an idea to action:

• After being nominated by a certified state beef industry organization and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, volunteer beef industry leaders set the direction on the CBB.
• The CBB is made up of producer and importer volunteers from across the country who help guide, approve and evaluate how Checkoff dollars are invested. These leaders represent every segment of the beef industry, from small cow/calf producers to backgrounders to feedlot operators. Importers also serve on the CBB because they pay into the Beef Checkoff through assessments on imported beef, beef products and live cattle.
• National, nonprofit, industry-governed organizations (known as Checkoff contractors) submit project ideas annually to the CBB via "Authorization Requests."
• These Authorization Requests are proposals for Checkoff-funded programs in areas such as promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.
• Program committees, composed of producers and importers on the CBB and Federation of State Beef Councils, review proposals, evaluate ongoing programs, and consider whether the work aligns with industry priorities and the Beef Industry Long Range Plan.
• Producer-led committees review the work and send recommendations to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC), a group of 20 beef producers from the CBB and the Federation of State Beef Councils.
• The Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) develops funding recommendations for the Cattlemen's Beef Board, which approves the final plan of work for the next fiscal year, subject to USDA approval.
• Contractors do not decide how Checkoff dollars are invested; they are reimbursed for approved work on a cost-recovery basis and cannot make a profit from Beef Checkoff work.
• Checkoff-funded programs are evaluated throughout the year using contractor updates, program goals, key performance indicators and external reviews to measure results, identify opportunities for improvement and help ensure Checkoff dollars are used effectively.

The Beef Checkoff is producer and importer-led from start to finish. Contractors help implement the work, but volunteer industry leaders guide the priorities, review the programs and make the funding decisions.