MONTANA BEEF COUNCIL

AS A QUALIFIED STATE BEEF COUNCIL, THE MONTANA BEEF COUNCIL (MBC) COLLECTS ASSESSMENTS OF WHICH FUNDS ARE PASSED THROUGH TO THE STATE OF ORIGIN AND FIFTY CENTS IS REMITTED TO THE CATTLEMENS BEEF BOARD FOR CONDUCTING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHECKOFF PROGRAMS AS ESTABLISHED BY THE BEEF PROMOTION AND RESEARCH ACT OF 1985 FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY. THE CATTLEMENS BEEF BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERALL COLLECTION/COMPLIANCE; HOWEVER, EACH OF THE 44 QUALIFIED STATE BEEF COUNCILS (QSBC) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTION OF THE $1-PER-HEAD CHECKOFF ASSESSMENT IN ITS RESPECTIVE STATE. MONTANA IS ONE OF THIRTEEN WESTERN STATES THAT USE BRAND INSPECTORS TO COLLECT OR HELP COLLECT THE CHECKOFF.

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING-MBC INVESTS IN THE UNITED STATES MEAT EXPORT FEDERATION (USMEF), A CONTRACTOR TO THE BEEF CHECKOFF. USMEF CONDUCTS MARKET ACCESS AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE FOREIGN MARKETING AND EDUCATION IN 95 COUNTRIES IN THESE PRIMARY AREAS: TRADE SERVICING, PRODUCT PROMOTION & EDUCATION AND MARKET ACCESS. MBC SUPPORTED INTERNATIONAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH USMEF TO INCREASE DEMAND FOR U.S. BEEF IN JAPAN, A KEY EXPORT MARKET. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON RETAIL BUYER EDUCATION, IN-STORE PROMOTIONS, CONSUMER TASTINGS, DIGITAL MARKETING AND SWEEPSTAKES CAMPAIGNS CONDUCTED THROUGH NATION AND REGIONAL GROCERY CHAINS.DESPITE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, INCLUDING CURRENCY DEPRECIATION AND HIGHER BEEF PRICES, THE PROGRAM MAINTAINED U.S. BEEF'S MARKET PRESENCE AND STRENGTHENED CONFIDENCE IN PRODUCT SAFETY, QUALITY, AND SUPPLY RELIABILITY. THE MAJORITY OF TARGETED IMPORTERS AND RETAILERS CONSISTENTLY FEATURED MULTIPLE U.S. BEEF CUTS, ADDED NEW ITEMS AND EXPANDED PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY. RETAIL PROMOTIONS GENERATED MEASURABLE SALES GROWTH, INCLUDING NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGNS WITH MAJOR RETAILERS THAT RESULTED IN INCREASED VOLUME AND REVENUE COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM STRENGTHENED THE IMAGE OF U.S. BEEF, SUSTAINED CONSUMER DEMAND AND SUPPORTED LONG-TERM ACCESS FOR U.S. AND MONTANA BEEF PRODUCERS.A DIRECTOR OF THE MBC PARTICIPATED IN THE USMEF MARKET EXPO TO LEARN ABOUT THE MEAT CULTURE AND MERCHANDISING TECHNIQUES USED IN MEXICO. THE TRADE SHOW AND MOBILE GRILL ACADAMY OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST IN THE IMAGE OF THE U.S. AND MONTANA BEEF INDUSTRY.