Checkoff vehicles travel thousands of miles each year to educate cattlemen

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (April 9, 2007) – Josh Chrisman, who grew up on a Nebraska cow-calf operation, has joined the Beefmobile team as a “wrangler,” a job that will take him around the country, speaking to cattle producers at auction markets and other beef-related events. The Beefmobile is an educational program funded by the $1-per-head beef checkoff, a marketing, education and research program funded by beef producers.

The Beefmobile is a van vividly painted with juicy cuts of beef, and the drivers – known as “wranglers” – travel throughout the country primarily talking with cattle producers about how their checkoff dollars are being invested. This year, Chrisman and another wrangler and van will make at least 250 producer-related stops and 10 visits to major consumer events. Last year, Beefmobiles traveled almost 95,000 miles, stopping in 39 different states.

“I’ve been involved in agriculture since I was old enough to carry a bucket and help my dad,” Chrisman said. “So I’m really excited about working as an advocate for cattle producers. I have a passion for this industry; it’s where I want to make my mark.”

After growing up on a cow-calf operation near McCool, Neb., Chrisman graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in agricultural leadership, education and communication. He’s considering an eventual career in animal health, although he plans to stay with the family operation, which has been going for many years.

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The Beef Checkoff Program 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.

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© 2007 Cattlemen's Beef Board