05/01/06 Summer beef promotion

American Rancher May 1, 2006 The Federation of State Beef Councils is adding funds from its reserves to aid the beef industry in its summer promotion campaign. Larry Jones of Kansas, who serves as the Federation's chairman, says there is currently a large supply of protein for consumers and challenging times require the cooperation of cattlemen across the country. Jones: "We realize, that the latest on feed numbers came out. We are at 109% of a year ago. That means we have a lot of cattle on feed. Also our competitors in the protein business have got a large supply. The poultry business has been hurt on their exports with the avian flu overseas. People are not eating poultry overseas so they are not able to export it. So we have lot's of poultry in cold storage so that is going to weigh on the market. I think I saw figures the other day where wholesale poultry prices are about half of what they were last year. That is formidable competition." Jones says the Federation will contribute about two million of dollars of its own funds to the checkoff campaign. Jones: "The summer grilling advertising really kicks off in May and they will have nutrition and print advertising. Then they are going to have grilling spots on about 40 radio markets." Plus highly visible partnerships with major retailers with lots of product sampling and appearances by "The Healthy Beef Cookbook" co-author, chef Richard Chamberlain. I'm Bob Hoff.