MCA OPPOSES BEEF CHECKOFF INCREASE

Billings, MT ~ Montana Cattlemen's Association (MCA) passed policy nearly two years ago opposing any increase in beef checkoff fees. MCA believes the checkoff program must prove its benefit to grassroots producers before any increase can be supported.

Further, MCA policy supports modifications to the program, including using checkoff funds to promote USA beef and allowing all U.S. cattle organizations to participate in running the program.

Kim Baker, Hot Springs rancher and MCA Vice-President, further notes, "A whole new generation of young ranchers are now running cattle operations who never had an opportunity to vote on the checkoff program. Many of our ranchers today were too young to vote on the checkoff in 1986. I therefore support a periodic referendum on the checkoff program. Further, an increase in the checkoff fee should only be considered once we are assured our checkoff dollars will be used to promote only U.S. beef."

MCA's position on increasing the checkoff fee mirrors that of cattle producers across the country. In December 2006, 78.6% of producers who responded to a Gallup Poll opposed an increase in the checkoff fee.

The Cattlemen's Beef Board is now seeking input from Montana cattle producers on potential improvements to the beef checkoff program. Comments may be submitted to mca@montanacattlemen.org or to MCA, P.O. Box 31436, Billings, MT 59107.

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