Recently, Terry Stokes, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Michael Kelsey, CEO of the Nebraska Cattlemen, toured the State trying to drum up support for a 100% increase in the Beef Checkoff. At every stop and press opportunity they claimed that any such increase would be driven by producers, who would then have a chance to ratify it with a vote. Well Mr. Stokes and Mr. Kelsey, let’s take a look at how 8000 producers voted in a recent survey conducted by the Gallup organization under the direction of the USDA and the Livestock Marketing Association:

• Only 5.7% said it should be increased. 91% of the respondents said the Checkoff should remain at $1.00 or be decreased
• 92% said Checkoff dollars should be used to promote products from cattle specifically born and raised in the U. S. Under current rules beef can only be promoted as a generic product, with no regard to its origin.
• 82.5% wanted a mandated periodic referendum
• 66% would like to see changes made in the contracting process

So it would seem the “producers” have a much different agenda in mind when it comes to managing their Checkoff contributions. Why then are the NCBA and the Nebraska Cattlemen pushing for an increase before addressing the more pressing concerns? Quite simply, since the NCBA is nearly the exclusive contractor for Checkoff dollars, they would stand to get a nifty increase in the amount they can charge you and me for “handling” the contracts. Probably still not a big deal except the NCBA (and Nebraska Cattlemen for that matter), promotes policies that encourage integration and concentration in the Cattle industry which is devastating to Nebraska’s family farms and ranches. Producers like me and producer driven organizations like the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) and the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) wholly support self funded promotion programs, as long as they are administered by unbiased and neutral entities and are responsive to the wishes of the producers who pay the bills. Come on Mr. Stokes and Mr. Kelsey, enough with the smoke and mirrors. Before you ask us for more money, give us the right to specifically promote our own home-grown products and reduce the influence that a singular agri-business oriented organization has on the Checkoff program. I want to hear Sam Elliot say “Beef, born and raised in the U.S., THAT’S what’s for dinner”.

Jim M. Hanna
Director ICON / Director USCA-Checkoff Committee Chairman / Past President- NE Cattlemen
HC 58 Box 94
Brownlee, NE 69166
jhanna@neb-sandhills.net
INDEPENDENT CATTLEMEN OF NEBRASKA
"Solid as a windmill. Always working for the independent producer