Beef Checkoff may jump to $2 in California

Members of the Golden State's largest beef producers' organization want to raise the fees that pay for promoting their industry within California. The board and membership of the California Cattlemen's Association voted overwhelmingly during their recent winter meeting to support an increase in the Beef Checkoff from $1 to $2 for each head of cattle sold in the state. Proceeds from the checkoff fund the California Beef Council, whose 42 members are appointed by the governor and represent the beef, dairy, range and feeder sectors. The council operates under the 1985 Farm Bill, which initiated the checkoff nationwide. "It's been $1 since 1985," said CCA president Kevin Kester, a Parkfield, Calif., rancher. "The value of a 1985 dollar is about 45 cents today." The CCA has forwarded a request for a referendum to California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, whose department could schedule ballots to go out in the spring or early summer, Kester said. It would take 60 percent approval among affected parties to pass. California is among a dozen states that have either approved a Beef Checkoff increase or are considering it, he said. The organization president said he's traveled around the state and found that about 95 percent of the ranchers he's talked to support the idea. "I would hope it passes," he said...more