Beech Tree News Network

For more than 30 years, Kentucky farmers have supported the beef industry through a per-head checkoff program. When it began in 1976, the checkoff was 10 cents per head. The passage of the 1985 Farm Bill replaced with state program with a Federal Beef Checkoff program of $1 per head when a beef animal is sold during its lifetime. Half of the money comes back to Kentucky to support state beef promotion through the Kentucky Beef Council.

    When the Federal program was threatening to end in 2004, Kentucky producers overwhelmingly supported reinstating a state checkoff and even an additional checkoff if the Federal program stayed intact.

            In May 2014, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association appointed a Kentucky Beef Checkoff Task Force. This group made an application to the Kentucky Board of Agriculture requesting a referendum to add an additional $1 state beef checkoff program in the state.

    Many producers believe this unique checkoff will strengthen beef demand not only in Kentucky, but across the country and beyond. The funds will allow Kentucky beef producers to fund their own industry in a way that compliments current programs and allows them to confront beef industry challenges including consumer attitudes, rising beef prices and food safety and animal safety concerns.

    Kentucky cattle producers have a chance to vote on the referendum to support beef promotion. The vote will take place Nov. 20 at the Butler County Extension Office.

    Voting is open to all producers of bovine animals involved in the marketing or sale of bovine animals in Kentucky. If the referendum passes, the Kentucky Beef Promotion Council will take on the responsibility of overseeing the funds. This council is made up of beef and dairy producers and industry professionals.

            For more information, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 112 E GL Smith Street, Morgantown, call 270-526-3767 or visit http://www.kycattle.org.

    Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

By: Greg Drake II, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources