A national needs assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of beef cattle producers regarding pre-harvest food safety

The purpose of this study was to assess the current knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of beef cattle producers in the United States regarding pre-harvest food safety and pathogen reduction. Data were collected at the 2006 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual conference in Denver, Colorado, using a convenience sampling method limited to a desired population. The total sample size was 627, with 391 reporting "beef cattle producer" as their primary occupation. Results indicated low-level needs and high-level accessibility needs (Witkin, 1983) for educational materials regarding specific pre-harvest food safety interventions. The results of this research will be a valuable tool in developing publications, educational seminars, and programs about pre-harvest food safety for those involved in beef cattle production. This research will begin to eliminate the missing link – communicating the known methods of pre-harvest food safety with the beef cattle producer and ultimately assisting in ensuring the safety of the public.