Resolution #1:

WHEREAS USCA believes a producer-driven, beef promotion program is vital to the future of the cattle industry; and

WHEREAS this program must be focused on promoting the products of the stakeholders, not just those of the beef-production sector; and

WHEREAS the majority of dollars collected by the Beef Checkoff come directly from U.S. cattle producers; and

WHEREAS the recent 8000 producer survey conducted by the USDA showed strong support for changes to the program;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED USCA finds the following to be vital and necessary amendments to the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985:

1.       Sec. 2904, paragraph (6) be modified to eliminate the requirement that the Operating Committee contract only with "established, national nonprofit industry-governed organizations."   This would allow the Committee to contract directly with vendors and avoid possible conflicts of interest generated by the policy positions of any national organization.

2.       Provide for a referendum every five years.

3.       Direct that Beef Checkoff dollars collected from U. S. cattle producers, be used to promote products derived from cattle that are specifically born, raised and processed in the United States.

4.       Remove the requirement that contracting organizations must have been in existence prior to the implementation of the current Act and Order.

Resolution #2:

WHEREAS USCA seeks to provide the motivation, information and support necessary to our members so they can become more involved in influencing decisions regarding the Beef Checkoff;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED USCA recommends the following:

1.    All USCA affiliate organizations seek approval as qualified organizations or associations in their respective states, nominate from within their membership and actively promote those nominees for appointments to the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB).

2.         Those affiliate organizations also work diligently to obtain seats on their respective state beef councils by providing candidates for appointment or election.

Resolution #3:

WHEREAS USCA feels that the present National Beef Checkoff mechanism has created a framework that is far too complicated and excludes a large portion of U. S. beef producers; and

WHEREAS two segments - the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) and the Federation of State Beef Councils (Federation) - are mandated by the Beef Promotion Act and Order, and the third segment - the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) - is a policy-driven organization that also is the main contractor for the Beef Checkoff;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED USCA recommends that the NCBA, the CBB and the Federation each become individually independent and autonomous in order to alleviate the impression that they are operating as one entity.

Resolution #4:

WHEREAS certain entities within the beef industry are proposing an increase in the per head assessment on cattle sold; and

WHEREAS USCA policies outline a number of other needed producer-driven changes to the Beef Checkoff Act and Order including, but not limited to, promoting U.S. labeled beef, periodic referendums, and major changes to the organization and structural relationships between the Cattlemen's Beef Board, Federation of State Beef Councils, and their contractors, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED USCA supports the current One Dollar per head assessment and will not support any increase until our policy recommendations have been implemented.