Colorado Springs, Colo. (Feb. 21, 2005) -- A newly launched Web site at www.beefmobile.com highlights the Beef Checkoff Program and the travels of its "Beefmobile" to assist state beef councils and auction markets as they plan appearances by the roving information center.

The Beefmobile is funded by the Cattlemen's Beef Board on behalf of America's beef producers. "The Beef Act and Order of 1985 mandates that those contributing to the Beef Checkoff Program know how their dollars are invested, and the Beefmobile and this accompanying Web site are a couple of ways we achieve that objective," said Beef Board Chairman Al Svajgr, a Nebraska cattleman.

"The Beefmobile provides producers with direct access to the results of beef checkoff research and promotional efforts. It also gives producers in the area a chance to ask questions about the checkoff and to provide input regarding how checkoff dollars should be invested."

The Beefmobile project is conducted on behalf of the Cattlemen's Beef Board by the National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA). NLPA serves as one of the Beef Board's contractors for checkoff-funded programs.

NLPA Chairman Jack Hanson, a beef producer from Susanville, Calif., said the Beefmobile's online presence helps extend its outreach to producers in every corner of the country.

"Even though the Beefmobile is making many visits to livestock auctions nationwide, as well as making appearances at major consumer venues, it is still difficult to reach as many grassroots producers as we would like," he said. "The Beefmobile Web site adds another layer to this project's coverage and gives online visitors easy access to information about this exciting program and the beef checkoff."

In the "Wrangler" section of the Web site, visitors can learn more about Tracey Orsburn, the 2005 Beefmobile Wrangler, and get information about becoming a future Beefmobile Wrangler. In other areas within the site, producers can learn about an array of various checkoff-funded projects, view the Beefmobile's upcoming schedule, and provide feedback about the program.

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The Beef Checkoff 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. Checkoff revenues may be used for promotion, education and research programs to improve the marketing climate for beef.

The National Livestock Producers Association, founded in 1921, is an organization of livestock marketing cooperatives and credit corporations representing more than 200,000 livestock producers nationwide.

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© 2005 Cattlemen's Beef Board