How the Cattle Enhancement Board Strengthens the Work of the Florida Beef Council
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) continues to elevate beef promotion and producer education across the state, thanks in large part to the support of the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board. According to Deanne Maples, this partnership has become essential in helping the Council expand its impact despite limited resources.
Maples emphasized how crucial the board’s role has been, explaining, “It’s so important. Number one, it’s a blessing to have the Cattle Enhancement Board available to us. I mentioned earlier that our funds are so, so very limited. In fact, I think your listeners would be really surprised to know just how very limited it is and what we have to accomplish within that.” The Florida Beef Council manages a broad range of initiatives designed to educate both producers and consumers, but without additional funding, many impactful programs would remain out of reach.
Beyond funding, the Cattle Enhancement Board also provides strategic insight. As Maples noted, “You have a collective group of people who represent different parts of the industry, different parts of agriculture, who can be resources for us, who can give their opinions, who can weigh in on the programs that they feel are important to the work of the Beef Council.” This expertise helps ensure that programs align with industry needs and consumer trends.
One standout opportunity created through this support is the ability to propose and scale new initiatives—such as the Ranch to Ribeye tour, designed to connect consumers more directly with the beef production story. Maples shared that having funding available allows the Council to present innovative ideas and “hope for their confidence in the work that we do at the Beef Council.”
When Maples first joined the organization, the Cattle Enhancement Board was already funding retail-focused programs, such as a coupon-style initiative aimed at boosting product movement. While effective at the time, she explained that the growth since then has been remarkable. “It was a great program, but where we’ve been able to take our work, thanks to the Cattle Enhancement Board, is exponentially different and greater and more and more impactful.”
The partnership between the Florida Beef Council and the Cattle Enhancement Board continues to expand the reach, relevance, and effectiveness of beef promotion across the state—ensuring Florida consumers remain informed and engaged while supporting the vibrant agricultural communities behind the product.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.