Thursday, August 17, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Calls for Plan to Increase Value of Missouri Beef
SEDALIA–Gov. Matt Blunt today asked Missouri food and beef industry leaders to establish Missouri as a nationally known premium beef producer.
“Today we are charting a new course for Missouri beef, one that recognizes the full value of Missouri beef cattle,” Blunt said. “We have the potential to become the nation’s best and most profitable beef industry. When people think of quality beef they should think of Missouri.”
While at the Missouri State Fair, the governor met with industry leaders to discuss Missouri beef’s potential and the importance of branding Missouri beef as a premium, high-quality product. He called on industry leaders to develop a plan to create a Missouri Beef brand. The plan would consider how Missouri can best capitalize on the high-quality beef produced in the state, the types of marketing relationships that might be needed, potential key private sector partners and the state’s role.
Representatives with backgrounds in beef marketing, promotion, distribution, retailing, production and the beef cattle industry from across the state participated, including representation from the Missouri Restaurant Association, RPCS, Inc., University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Circle Angus Ranch, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, PFG Middendorf, University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center and the Missouri Grocers Association.
Missouri is home to more than 67,000 beef producers and ranks second nationally in the number of cow/calf productions. The industry generates more than $3.7 billion in revenue each year. Missouri was also first in the nation to implement a statewide Quality System Assessment (QSA) program. The program verifies beef age and source and helps open the door to foreign markets, like Japan, whose beef buyers are already showing an interest in Missouri’s high-quality beef.
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