09/24/07 Dairy, beef nutrition symposium

It is surprising to some but 22 percent of this nation's beef supply comes from dairy breeds. Now the Beef Checkoff and the Dairy Checkoff are addressing some common challenges together. Cattlemen's Beef Board member Lucinda Williams is an eastern US dairy producer who is pleased to see beef and dairy working together at a first ever joint nutrition symposium. WILLAMS "We really can work together, particularly because both of these products, the beef and the dairy products that we offer are naturally nutrient rich products." The symposium was the first formal meeting by the two checkoff organizations who shared perspectives on getting the word out to consumers about animal-based protein as part of a healthy diet. WILLIAMS "Protein is for muscle building and muscle mass and for brain growth. It's really, it's found in both beef and dairy in high proportions. And naturally found, which is absolutely the best way to get these nutrients into our bodies." For Williams this symposium is the beginning of a powerful partnership in providing facts about dairy and beef nutrition. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott