HAY MAKER
Well-known member
R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America
For Immediate Release Contact: Shae Dodson, Communications Coordinator
January 30, 2007 Phone: 406-672-8969; e-mail: [email protected]
Checkoff Survey Results Match Group's Policy Positions
Billings, Mont. – R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Jim Hanna said the organization is extremely encouraged by the results of the recently completed survey of cattle producers on the Beef Checkoff Program. The survey was conducted by the Gallup Organization.
"To have an overwhelming majority of those surveyed agree completely with R-CALF's policy positions gives us a tremendous boost as we begin to work with Congress to make needed changes to the program," Hanna said.
"Specifically, the survey showed that 66 percent of the producers polled would support the idea of allowing the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) to contract directly with vendors, ending the requirement that they contract with an existing national industry governed organization, and 82 percent of respondents said they would support a periodic referendum on the Checkoff," he noted. "Ninety-one percent thought the current $1 per head assessment was adequate, while 92 percent wanted to use Checkoff dollars to support products derived from cattle that are specifically born, raised and processed in the United States.
"The survey also agreed with R-CALF's position that a producer-financed promotion program is critical to the financial health of the domestic cattle industry," Hanna continued. "I find it gratifying that R-CALF, as well as the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) and the National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA) and others who have pushed these ideas all along, have received confirmation by 8,000 producers that we were promoting exactly the agenda items that are most important to them.
"Independent cattle producers across the U.S. have spoken, and done so with a nearly unanimous voice," Hanna emphasized. "This gives us the springboard we need to show Congress that the Beef Checkoff Act and Order is in need of review, and that R-CALF USA intends to be the leader in assuring that any changes made will be consistent with the wishes of U.S. cattle producers."
According to the CBB, the Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Beef Checkoff Program, subject to USDA approval.
Note: To view or download the survey results, visit: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-beef.htm.
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization and is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on both domestic and international trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has more than 60 affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit http://www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
For Immediate Release Contact: Shae Dodson, Communications Coordinator
January 30, 2007 Phone: 406-672-8969; e-mail: [email protected]
Checkoff Survey Results Match Group's Policy Positions
Billings, Mont. – R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Jim Hanna said the organization is extremely encouraged by the results of the recently completed survey of cattle producers on the Beef Checkoff Program. The survey was conducted by the Gallup Organization.
"To have an overwhelming majority of those surveyed agree completely with R-CALF's policy positions gives us a tremendous boost as we begin to work with Congress to make needed changes to the program," Hanna said.
"Specifically, the survey showed that 66 percent of the producers polled would support the idea of allowing the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) to contract directly with vendors, ending the requirement that they contract with an existing national industry governed organization, and 82 percent of respondents said they would support a periodic referendum on the Checkoff," he noted. "Ninety-one percent thought the current $1 per head assessment was adequate, while 92 percent wanted to use Checkoff dollars to support products derived from cattle that are specifically born, raised and processed in the United States.
"The survey also agreed with R-CALF's position that a producer-financed promotion program is critical to the financial health of the domestic cattle industry," Hanna continued. "I find it gratifying that R-CALF, as well as the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) and the National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA) and others who have pushed these ideas all along, have received confirmation by 8,000 producers that we were promoting exactly the agenda items that are most important to them.
"Independent cattle producers across the U.S. have spoken, and done so with a nearly unanimous voice," Hanna emphasized. "This gives us the springboard we need to show Congress that the Beef Checkoff Act and Order is in need of review, and that R-CALF USA intends to be the leader in assuring that any changes made will be consistent with the wishes of U.S. cattle producers."
According to the CBB, the Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Beef Checkoff Program, subject to USDA approval.
Note: To view or download the survey results, visit: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-beef.htm.
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization and is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on both domestic and international trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has more than 60 affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit http://www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
