09/09/05 Beef Commission works

Beef Commission Works A recent incident that I heard on the radio made me appreciate the Washington State Beef Commission even more than I had. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll tell you about it in one minute. A few weeks ago I was listening to the Seattle Mariners post-game show. The discussion that night centered on steroid use of some baseball players. As listeners started to call in, one caller blamed beef consumption for positive steroid tests of ball players. One reporter agreed that theory had been brought up more than once. Well, that definitely brought up my hackles and I listened a little closer. Another reporter stated baseball players eat so many beefsteaks more would test positive for steroids if that were true. The discussion got pretty lively between the two reporters over the beef issue and I was sure rooting for the beef home team. The next day I thought of the misinformation that had started the conversation and decided someone should talk to the reporter. One phone call to the Washington State Beef Commission got me in contact with the executive director, Patti Brumbach. Patti wanted to know what I had heard and all the information I could give her about the post-game beef comments. The wayward reporter had not contacted Patti the last time I talked to her, but Patti had sent a very informative letter to that reporter for reference if the subject is ever discussed again. Although the Beef Commission does so much more through promotion, education, and research, it was reassuring to be able to have a negative beef issue taken care of promptly and professionally. Thanks again, Patti. I'm Jeff Keane.