News

Missouri cattlemen vote to block state checkoff

Missouri cattlemen voting in a statewide referendum have decisively blocked a dollar-per-head state beef checkoff.  Three-quarters of the votes were against establishing the checkoff proposed by the Missouri Beef Industry Council.  Council Executive Director Mark Russell says he’s disappointed the checkoff didn’t pass.

“One of the good things about is that voters have been able to voice their opinion, and we’re going to continue to work hard for the entire industry trying to help promote beef in the state of Missouri,” Russell told Brownfield Ag News Monday.

Rhonda Perry of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, which campaigned against the checkoff, is pleased with the outcome.  Perry tells Brownfield that industry leaders have not listened to the opinions of what she calls independent beef producers.

“I’m really hopeful that this will be a starting point of a for real conversation about where we want our industry to go and what it’s going to look like,” said Perry, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News Monday.

Out of nearly 8,500 ballots requested by eligible cattlemen, the total number of votes cast was just over 6,500.

“Of course market prices being depressed compared to a year ago I think contributed to the [checkoff being voted down] and we just feel that probably producers didn’t have enough information to see both sides of the story,” said Russell.

The vote was open to Missouri cattle producers who registered online or at county FSA offices.

The state checkoff revenue was to be used to promote beef, according to Russell.

Several states are either considering or have established beef checkoffs in addition the national dollar-per-head checkoff that’s been in existence since the 1980s.  Other states have defeated attempts to put a checkoff in place.

AUDIO: Mark Russell (3 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Rhonda Perry (6 min. MP3)