03/27/07 New Beef Board COO

American Rancher March 27, 2007 Tom Ramey has been chosen as the new chief operating officer of the Cattlemen's Beef Board. He succeeds longtime COO Monte Reese who is retiring. Ramey: "Very excited about the opportunity to work for America's beef producers. Monte has been a great and effective leader. And looking forward to trying to fill his footsteps going forward. And excited for the opportunity." Ramey is hardly new to the Beef Board or the beef check off program. Ramey: "I have been with the Beef Board about 13 years as their chief financial officer working very closely with Monte and the leadership of the Beef Board. With that experience and background I hope to use that knowledge and experience to continue to use the dollars wisely and spend the dollars where they will have an impact on producers' pocketbooks." 19 Ramey sees 2007 as a year of challenge but also great opportunity for the check off program. Ramey: "We are in a situation where beef supplies are going to be at an all time high so we need to have some programs in place to effectively move those supplies at prices that are better for the cattle producers." Ramey says check off programs will be working on getting more beef on restaurant menus and new beef cuts in retailers meat cases. The Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board is responsible for administering the national beef check off program. I'm Bob Hoff.