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Enhancing Beef Checkoff ProgramColorado The Colorado Cattlemen's Association joined in the recent National Cattlemen's Beef Association discussion on enhancing the Beef Checkoff Program. The discussion, during NCBA's annual meeting, was one of the hot topics for producers attending the conference. The $1 per head Checkoff--split 50-50 between the national Checkoff Program and the state beef councils--became mandatory in 1986. While the checkoff has enjoyed many successes, some cattlemen are questioning whether it is still adequately funded. CCA supports the continuation of the Beef Checkoff Program and the collection of fees necessary to fund the program. In addition, CCA supports a referendum process that would provide producers the opportunity to petition and vote on any proposed increase in the checkoff amount. "Producer's need to make the decision on whether or not the checkoff rate is increased," said Kenny Rogers, CCA President. CCA policy supports the very fact that the Beef Checkoff is for the producer and by the producer. While NCBA is one of several contractors that manage checkoff-funded programs, it doesn't collect the checkoff or determine the assessment rate. Collection and expenditure of the checkoff rest with the Cattlemen's Beef Board at the national level, while state beef councils manage the state portion. Any increase in the $1 per head rate would require action by Congress to amend the Beef Promotion and Research Act. CCA joined other organization in directing NCBA to ask Congress to approve a process that will allow producers to vote on enhancements to their Beef Checkoff Program. "Congress needs to empower cattle producers by allowing a referendum process that would ultimately make the producers the final decision makers on the checkoff program," said Rogers. Other proposed changes to the Beef Checkoff Program supported by CCA and NCBA include: --Simplifying the petition process that determines whether a referendum will be held on continuation of the checkoff. A valid petition signed by 10 percent of the nation's cattle producers would trigger USDA to hold a referendum within one year. --Establish a similar petition/referendum process for future increases in the Checkoff assessment. This would allow cattlemen to approve or disapprove a proposed increase, without taking the question back to Congress. --Eliminate any reference to their charter date in determining whether organizations are eligible to manage Checkoff-funded programs. Currently, some livestock organizations are not eligible because they were formed after 1986. Colorado Cattlemen's Association is the state's only nonprofit trade organization exclusively representing Colorado's cattle producers.Founded in 1867, CCA is the nation's oldest state cattlemen's association. 2/25/08 Date: 2/20/08
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