News

Ohio cattlemen approve checkoff increase

By a margin of 72 percent in favor, to 28 percent opposed, Ohio cattlemen have overwhelmingly approved the Ohio Beef Marketing Program Referendum that will increase the state checkoff on cattle from $1 to $2.

OCA Executive Director Elizabeth Harsh says the 72 percent voting in support was the result of several factors, from volunteers, to other groups supporting the increase, to the education effort.

“To make sure producers know where the existing checkoff dollars are utilized and then obviously what we could do with additional dollars and why they were needed,” Harsh said.

The final vote – 1,527 votes in favor of the referendum, 591 votes opposed.

Audio: Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director, Ohio Cattlemen’s Assn. (3:30 mp3)