The Federation of State Beef Councils is a collective of 45 state councils that manage the $1-per-head Beef Checkoff, supporting projects that boost the beef industry. Travis Maddock, who is the vice chair, said the organization has two main objectives. “The first purpose is it allows the aggregation of checkoff dollars into larger pools so that when larger projects come along we can make a bigger impact,” Maddock said. “The second part is it also allows states like North Dakota, which have more cattle than people, to get their dollars where it can do the most good.” Maddock also highlights the success of using checkoff funds to tell beef’s story, especially through targeted digital marketing. “Our ability to target certain consumers through digital media outreach is making a huge impact,” he says. By tailoring ads to specific audiences, the Federation ensures that beef reaches the right consumers, whether it’s health-conscious millennials or older individuals with more disposable income. Maddock is a member of the North Dakota Beef Commission.
