For more than 60 years, grassroots producer engagement has driven the demand for beef through the Federation of State Beef Councils. States voluntarily invest in the Federation to build beef demand by inspiring, unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership. Ultimately, it is cattle producers from coast to coast who direct the Federation’s work, and we celebrate their dedication. These are the “Faces of the Federation.” 

Dan Hanrahan, Beef Promotion Operating Committee
Hanrahan Ranch, Cumming, Iowa

Dan Hanrahan is a fifth-generation cattle producer with a cow-calf herd in the rolling hills of southern Iowa. When a local producer asked him to join his county’s cattlemen’s association early in his career, Hanrahan jumped at the opportunity to get involved. He has made the most of his volunteer service through leadership roles with the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Federation of State Beef Councils and now serves as a Federation representative on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. Hanrahan believes the Federation provides a chance for producers to step up, lead, and decide the best use of their investment. 

How does the Federation of State Beef Councils impact the beef industry?

To me, the value of the Federation is putting producers in the position where they get to tell their own story. You're not a character in the story someone else is telling. You are out front leading it yourself. The Federation is also vital to the industry because of the effectiveness of the programing and the opportunity it allows for state beef councils to become involved in the messaging and the proposals that come to the national level. 

What are some of the benefits of investing in the Federation?
I think what the Federation brings to each individual state beef council is a continuity of message. We're all saying the same thing. We're all trying to row the boat in the same direction. The Federation is a vehicle that effectively communicates the issues that are important to consumers, and we're talking to them in a way they understand. 

The Federation also ensures the investment producers are making reaches consumers where they are. I come from a cattle-heavy state. If we were to draw a swath right through the center of the country, I think about two-thirds of Checkoff revenues are generated in that area, but it only represents about 15% of U.S. population. The value of the Federation is helping us get that investment from where the cattle are to where the consumers are. 

One of the things the Federation provides that Iowa really takes advantage of is the consumer attitude dashboard survey. Survey results provide information about beef consumption patterns in Iowa. The information we learn from these surveys helps ensure we, as a state, are messaging in a way that resonates with our consumers. 

Why do you think the Federation continues to be vital?

Any time you talk about an organization, the tendency is to look at it as though it's a thing. And my experience when I think about the Federation, what I really think about is the people. Fellow producers have varied backgrounds and different interests they're enthusiastic about. Combine that with the passionate staff the Federation provides to help us meet our goals and objectives. It reminds me of the same passion we as producers take in our work back home on the farm or the ranch. When the Federation brings passionate producers and talented staff together, we are a force for beef. 

What is the most important message you’d like to share about the Federation?

I know the Federation of State Beef Councils is making a tremendous impact for beef producers through programing. It's doing it through research to make sure those programs are effective and are having the impact on consumers they intend to. And it does so by making sure that we, as state beef councils, are making the most of our opportunity, that we're all working together effectively. 

Watch the Faces of the Federation series on Cattlemen to Cattlemen here.