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Beef checkoff might go upABERDEEN, S.D. (AP)--The beef checkoff, now $1 for every head of cattle sold, could double. Officials from eight state agricultural groups that comprise the South Dakota Beef Industry Council--which decides how to spend checkoff money in the state--have suggested the increase. The mandatory fee, in place since 1985, is collected by state beef councils. Half of each dollar goes to the national Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board for beef promotion and education. The checkoff fee has been in court. Some cattle raisers didn't want to pay it because it couldn't be used to specifically promote American beef. An initial court ruling had declared the checkoff unconstitutional, but the money was still collected during appeals. Then the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the checkoff was constitutional. Along with the higher checkoff, another proposed change would permit advertising American-born and -raised beef. Barry Jennings, South Dakota Beef Industry Council executive director, said he knows there will be opposition. Rising fuel and corn costs could be factors for those who don't want to pay more, he said. The extra money would "assure strong demand-building initiatives for the beef industry" and would offset 20 years of inflation, according South Dakota Beef Industry Council information. Other proposed changes would: --Issue referendum ballots only to cattle producers. --Require referendum voters to be at least 18. --Allow producers to petition every five years for a referendum on continuing the checkoff. Suggested changes from state beef councils and national breed associations must be submitted by the end of August. Formal suggestions will go to the full Beef Board by Nov. 30 for review and approval. Then, those changes go to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in February, who then could implement them. 7/21/08 Date: 7/15/08
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