Beef Briefs: June 2012

In case you missed it…

… Get the latest updates by “friending” MyBeefCheckoff on Facebook or following @MyBeefCheckoff on Twitter.

… Check out The Island…a new checkoff-funded Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. online video.

… View The Invitation…another new online video.

USFRA Hosts Second Round of Food Dialogues

Farmers and ranchers are headed to Los Angeles -- the entertainment capital of the world -- for the second Food Dialogues event, June 20-21, 2012.

Four separate discussions held over two days will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders, farmers and ranchers for an in-depth conversation about food.

All panel discussions taking place at the event entitled, "Lights, Camera, Food: Perceptions and Realities of Farming and Ranching in America," will be available online (either live streamed or taped) at www.fooddialogues.com.

Two of the four panel discussions will stream live online on both Wednesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, providing opportunities for farmers, ranchers and the general public to register to watch and participate in the discussion online.

Additionally, individuals with a Twitter account can follow all of the panel discussions by following @USFRA using #FoodD.

USFRA is funded in part by the beef checkoff.

June Producer Profile:  Sarah Childs, Florida

I don’t think Sarah Childs was ever content with the concept of “women’s work.” Cooking, feeding the ranch hands, cleaning, doing the books? Yeah, then what? I’m reminded of an old saying, “A woman has to work twice as hard as a man to be considered half as good.” She flipped that around real fast. Like her friend, Okeechobee County Extension Livestock Agent Pat Hogue, said, “Sarah gets things done.”

Read more here.

A healthier you: Now available at your neighborhood grocery store

Americans’ grocery store expenditures continue to increase as consumers look for cost savings, have a renewed interest in cooking and believe food they eat at home is healthier. Consumers also are turning to these popular destinations for their nutrition information. Supermarkets are capitalizing on their convenient nature to offer multi-faceted, holistic health services, including employing in-store or corporate registered dietitians. The beef industry must reach out to supermarket health and nutrition professionals to provide accurate information about beef’s nutrition as these individuals reach hundreds of consumers on a regular basis. Additionally, as meat case nutrition labeling rolls out in 2012, these point-of-purchase educators will play a valuable role in helping consumers decipher beef’s Nutrition Facts label information.

Read the full article in the checkoff’s Beef Issues Quarterly e-newsletter.

Man’s Food for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is quickly approaching and our guess is that Dad would love nothing more than a hearty meal made just for him. But forget the quiche and dainty delights…serve him up some “man food” fit for a king.

Dish up Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Potatoes and Smoky Paprika Rub which features slight heat from paprika and chili powder. It’s just right for the meat-and-potatoes man who likes things a little spicy.

Or if your dad likes a little sweet with his heat, Chipotle-Marinated Beef Flank Steak will satisfy his cravings. Pop the Flank steak in the marinade for 6 hours to overnight in order to ensure the steak is tender and juicy when you’re ready to grill.

Beef Top Loin Steaks with Grilled Balsamic Vegetables is perfect for dinner out on the deck. Since all the meal components are grilled and ready in about 30 minutes, you’ll have more quality time to spend celebrating.

If you’re looking for more man-worthy recipes, please visit the checkoff-funded BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com where you can search by recipe name, cut or preparation method.

Checkoff’s MBA Blog of the Month

This month's featured blogger and checkoff’s Masters of Beef Advocacy graduate is from Wisconsinite Nicole Starr. Nicole blogs to educate readers in hopes they can learn where their food comes from, to share stories of what's happening on her farm, and specialty beef recipes. Check out her recent post in honor of Beef Month.

Click here to sign up for the MBA program.

1. Vilsack: Taking time to remember the fallen
2. Livestock Marketing: Beef prices remain strong, cattle pressured
3. Farm Bill progress
4. Feeder cattle review: Choice beef prices keep rolling higher
5. Ag markets diverge just before the long holiday weekend
6. Armyworms eat fescue pastures, hayfields

1. Commentary: New rules un-COOL
2. Former Eastern Livestock CEO, CFO sentenced for federal crimes
3. TSCRA works with sale barns to catch Houston cattle thief
4. NASA backs 3D food printer to feed growing population
5. More beef cows in worst drought regions than a year ago
6. Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock

1. Commentary: New rules un-COOL
2. Commentary: In praise of animal foods
3. What’s on America’s grill this weekend?
4. NASA backs 3D food printer to feed growing population
5. Meat industry associations quick to attack the new MCOOL rule
6. Commentary: Message to Occupy Monsanto: Occupy yourself