Oklahoma Farm Report masthead graphic with wheat on the left and cattle on the right.
Howdy Neighbors!
Ron Hays, Director of Farm and Ranch Programming, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network  |  2401 Exchange Ave, Suite F, Oklahoma City, Ok 73108  |  (405) 601-9211

advertisements
   
   
   
   
   

Agricultural News


US Cattlemen Not Satisfied with Beef Checkoff MOU - Demand More Structural Enhancements

Fri, 13 Mar 2015 14:57:26 CDT

US Cattlemen Not Satisfied with Beef Checkoff MOU - Demand More Structural Enhancements The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) announced an official decision to not sign the Checkoff Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as presented to industry leaders through the Beef Checkoff Enhancement Working Group (BCEWG). A two-day meeting concluded in Denver on March 13. The BCEWG sought each member's signature to the MOU and after careful deliberation, USCA has abstained from signing.


USCA, along with the National Farmers Union, originally proposed the concept to enhance the Beef Checkoff to US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his staff in 2011. Since that time, the BCEWG was formed with the goal of reaching consensus to propose and implement meaningful and needed enhancements to the program.


USCA past President Jon Wooster commented on the working group, "The BCEWG utilized a series of mediator-driven sessions in order to attempt to find parameters by which all members of the BCEWG could come to consensus. USCA was hopeful throughout this process that the discussions could evolve into meaningful enhancements to modernize the program and make it more efficient. Our goal was to try and initiate needed structural changes that would give producers confidence Checkoff dollars were utilized efficiently and appropriately and would warrant support for an increase in the assessment."


"Unfortunately, the group could never reach consensus concerning discussions focused on structural changes except for changing the date organizations had to be formed to be an eligible contractor from 1986 to being an established beef industry organization for at least three years."


"The MOU proposed several changes including a refundable increase in the assessment of $1. There is also a proposed change to the nominating process for candidates to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. While this is an integral component of securing needed Checkoff reform, the proposed change in the MOU addressing this issue would actually serve to intensify the current conflict of interest as national organizations contracting for Checkoff dollars would be allowed a seat on the nominating committee."


The makeup of the BCEWG has changed since its inception and it seems its main goal is now to increase the assessment with no consideration to structural changes such as:

-- Separating the Federation from NCBA.

-- Allowing the CBB to contract directly with the non-industry entities actually doing the work instead of requiring CBB to contract through national organizations who then often sub-contract with these entities.

-- Requiring money from State Beef Councils invested in Federation Board seats go to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee to be awarded to contractors.

-- Requiring an automatic periodic referendum every five years.

-- Write a new Order under the Commodity Promotion Act of 1996 prescribing a more modern and flexible Beef Checkoff.

Wooster concluded, "USCA is committed to seeing meaningful checkoff reform through to fruition. Our leadership would like to continue to be a part of the process. USCA will remain active on this issue and will pursue any effort to bring unbiased and open-minded individuals to the table to discuss substantial enhancements to the Beef Checkoff program. Unfortunately the MOU fell far short of our expectations in the form of structural changes that would warrant USCA's support for an increase in the assessment."

   

 

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI

 


Top Agricultural News

  • Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions Sale Order Available Here- Sale Set for 4 PM Friday  Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:50:54 CDT
  • Rural Voters Dominated Vote to Defeat Recreational Marijuana March 7th  Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:13:05 CST
  • Ron Hays Talks to Israeli Ag Tour Guide Colin Lotzof About the Miraclel of Ag in Israel  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 22:11:04 CST
  • OALP Members Experience First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:51:49 CST
  • OALP Members Get First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:50:10 CST
  • Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Fruit, Beef and Dairy Production North of the Sea of Galilee in Israel  Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:56:02 CST
  • Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Diverse Farm Operations in Jordan River Valley of Israel  Sun, 19 Feb 2023 21:17:30 CST
  • Israeli Tour Guide Mark Kedem Talks About The Cultural Aspects of What Class XX of OALP is Experiencing   Sat, 18 Feb 2023 22:17:23 CST

  • More Headlines...

       

    Ron salutes our daily email sponsors!

    Oklahoma Beef council Oklahoma Ag Credit Oklahoma Farm Bureau National Livestock Credit Ag Mediation Program P&K Equipment Oklahoma City Farm Show Union Mutual Stillwater Milling Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association KIS FUTURES, INC.
       
       
       
       
       

    Search OklahomaFarmReport.com

    © 2008-2024 Oklahoma Farm Report
    Email Ron   |   Newsletter Signup   |    Current Spots   |    Program Links

    WebReady powered by WireReady® Inc.