Agricultural News
Voting for State Beef Checkoff Program Set for June 2-6
Tue, 01 Apr 2014 09:53:26 CDT
At the request of Texas cattle industry associations, and in accordance with Texas law, the Texas Department of Agriculture will conduct a producer referendum that, if approved, would create a state beef checkoff program for beef promotion, marketing, research and consumer education. This proposed program, to be called the Texas Beef Checkoff, would be funded and managed by Texas beef producers.
Voting will take place June 2 through June 6, 2014, to approve a refundable maximum assessment of $1 per head of cattle to fund this program. If approved, the assessment will be collected at each point of ownership transfer in Texas.
Eligible producers can vote at any Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service county office during each office's regular business hours. Eligible producers are strongly encouraged to vote in person.
If an eligible producer is unable to access an extension service office, a mail-in ballot may be requested from TDA between May 19 and June 2, 2014. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than close of business Friday, June 6, 2014, in order to be counted.
The Texas Beef Checkoff would be funded solely through this assessment on cattle. It is not paid for by taxpayer dollars and is not a government program. If approved, any assessments collected would be refundable upon request.
The program would be managed by Texas cattlemen and women serving on the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas.
Any producer regardless of age who has owned cattle in Texas anytime between June 6, 2013, and June 6, 2014, is eligible to vote. Youth younger than 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian co-sign their ballot.
If approved, collection of the assessment will begin October 1, 2014.
For more information about the Texas Beef Checkoff and the referendum, including voting locations and hours, visit www.texasagriculture.gov.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
