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Missouri Ag Director approves state checkoff vote
Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce Wednesday approved the petition to conduct a state beef checkoff referendum of Missouri cattle producers. The vote among producers will be whether to establish a $1.00 per head state beef checkoff. Director Fordyce based his decision on testimony of more than 75 producers at a public hearing earlier this month in Sedalia, Missouri.
Fordyce says a common theme emerging from the hearing is that cattle producers need to be given the opportunity to vote on whether a state beef checkoff should be established.
“I agree that a vote of the producers is the best way to decide the issue; therefore, I have approved the petition of the Missouri Beef Industry Council board of directors to conduct a referendum,” said Fordyce, in a written statement issued by the Missouri Department of Agriculture Wednesday.
In order to vote, beginning January 4th, cattle producers have to register online at agriculture.mo.gov; or at their county FSA office. Producers can also request a voter registration form by phone at (573) 751-5633, or by emailing [email protected]. Voter registration ends March 4th and ballots will be mailed out a month later. Results will be announced April 25.
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