The Secret to Driving Demand in Any Niche Market with Nebraska Beef Council
At PrintingCenterUSA, we love seeing how our customers use print to connect with their audiences in creative, meaningful ways. From art books and catalogs to educational materials and calendars, print has the power to inspire, inform, and leave a lasting impression.
One of our favorite recent collaborations comes from the Nebraska Beef Council, whose 2026 “Hunk of the Month” wall calendar brings together mouth-watering visuals, clever design, and an unmistakable passion for beef. More than just a calendar, it’s a year-long campaign designed to make consumers crave beef and celebrate the hardworking ranchers who make it possible.
About the Nebraska Beef Council
The Nebraska Beef Council (NBC) is dedicated to building consumer demand for beef through marketing, education, and partnerships. From recipe development to retail promotions, their mission is to make beef the easy, delicious choice for every meal.
For 2026, NBC wanted to find a fun, creative way to keep beef front and center throughout the year. The idea? A full-color calendar that combines stunning photography, engaging content, and QR codes linking directly to beef recipes.
“Our goal is to drive demand for beef and encourage consumers to enjoy beef at their next meal,” says Adam Wegner, Director of Marketing at the Nebraska Beef Council. “One way we thought we could do that was by providing inspiration each month with a beef calendar featuring mouth-watering beef photography and a QR code directed to the recipe website.”
The Challenge
NBC’s marketing team needed a printer who could deliver a premium-quality wall calendar that felt both educational and collectible. They wanted something that would pop visually, something bright, glossy, and durable enough to last all year.
Just as important, they wanted to handle the creative process in-house, using PrintingCenterUSA’s Online Design Tool to bring their vision to life without needing expensive design software.
“We started by selecting a template and uploading our own photography and graphics. The design platform was easy to use and provided all the capabilities we needed,” says Wegner. “It even allowed us to add special events to the calendar dates — we included fun beef-themed holidays like National Taco Day and Prime Rib Day.” Adam Wegner, Director of Marketing
The result was a calendar that perfectly balances professionalism and personality, celebrating beef through eye-catching visuals and clever monthly themes.
The Printing Solution
Working closely with PrintingCenterUSA, NBC produced a stunning 12-month wall calendar that delivers on every front: quality, color, and creativity.
Calendar Specs:
- Size: 11 x 8.5″
- Calendar Type: Wall Calendar
- Binding: Saddle Stitch
- Pages: 12-Month (28 Pages)
- Cover Paper: 100# Cardstock Gloss (9 pt.)
- Inside Paper: 100# Gloss Text (5 pt.)
- Ink: Full Color (4/4) Both Sides
- Finish: UV High Gloss on Cover
- Special Feature: One 5mm drill hole for hanging, shrink-wrapped in convenient bundles
One standout feature of the 2026 edition is the centerfold beef cuts chart, a beautifully printed, full-spread insert designed to be removed and saved long after the calendar year ends.
The Impact
Once completed, NBC distributed the calendars to consumers, grocery retail partners, board members, and industry stakeholders which expanded their order to include additional copies for Beef Council partners in other states.
“Thank you, PrintingCenterUSA, for helping us bring this project to life and providing the quality printing that makes this project pop!” says Wegner. “The calendars look great, and the customer service made the process simple and easy. We’re already looking forward to future projects.” Adam Wegner, Director of Marketing
The final product is more than just a marketing piece. It’s an educational tool, a conversation starter, and a celebration of Nebraska’s agricultural pride. With high-gloss printing, vivid color, and an approachable design, the calendar captures everything that makes beef, and the people who produce it, truly special.
“We’re so excited to see the full spread of beef cuts in the center fold, so customers can remove it and keep it for a lot longer in addition to the calendar itself!”
Pro calendar tip from Alexis Hodgson, Customer Success Specialist, PrintingCenterUSA
The secret to driving demand in any niche market lies in creating authentic, high-quality touchpoints that connect with your audience on a personal level. The Nebraska Beef Council proved this with their 2026 “Hunk of the Month” calendar, a clever blend of beautiful design, strategic storytelling, and practical value. By using vibrant visuals, QR codes that drive traffic to recipes, and a removable beef cuts centerfold, they turned a simple print project into a year-long marketing engine. Their success shows that when you combine creativity, consistency, and the right print partner, you can transform even the most specialized niche into a thriving, engaged community and boost demand all year long.
Looking Ahead
The Nebraska Beef Council plans to continue building on the success of their 2026 Beef Calendar, using print to reach consumers in new and engaging ways. With every page turn, they’re keeping beef top-of-mind and on the dinner table.
At PrintingCenterUSA, we’re honored to help the Nebraska Beef Council showcase their passion for beef through beautiful, high-quality print. From first concept to final shipment, this project is proof that creativity, craftsmanship, and a great idea can make a lasting impact. Partner with PrintingCenterUSA to print your next calendar, catalog, or marketing piece.
👉 Start Your Project Today!
