Agricultural News
OCA Board Member Matt Boyer Encourages Producers to Vote YES on State Beef Checkoff Program
Thu, 05 Oct 2017 15:35:26 CDT
Between now and October 20th, cattle producers in Oklahoma will have the opportunity to participate in a referendum vote via mail-in ballot, or by casting a ballot at their local county extension office in person on November 1st, to decide whether or not to allow Oklahoma to establish a secondary Beef Checkoff program. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with Matt Boyer, Claremore agriculture education teacher and owner/operator of Beacon Hill Ranch, who serves on the board of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, to discuss his organization's campaign to institute this program. Listen to their complete conversation by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below at the bottom of the page.
"This is an opportunity for Oklahoma beef producers specifically to have a Checkoff directly for Oklahoma," Boyer said. "Unlike the federal program, where fifty cents of that goes to the (Cattlemen's Beef Board), this will be strictly just for Oklahoma getting an entire dollar to help benefit the State of Oklahoma and beef producers here."
Boyer explains that all cattle producers in the state that either own or sell cattle within Oklahoma's borders, regardless of age, retain the right to participate in this vote. Even his nine-year-old daughter who owns and exhibits cattle, he says, is looking forward to casting her vote.
"We have a great opportunity for all beef producers, no matter their age, to step up and help move the beef industry forward," he said, underscoring that only those within the industry will be allowed to vote, "- without having to worry about the entire election process that takes place in a general election."
The need for a secondary Checkoff program, Boyer explains, stems from the growing curiosity of consumers and the industry's interest in keeping them better informed and educated about beef and how it is produced. He says, too, that a dollar today is only worth 44 percent of its former value back in 1988 when the mandatory Beef Checkoff program was first established. Unlike the federal Checkoff, too, this program would be completely refundable. If passed, producers who sell cattle in Oklahoma and thereby contribute to the Oklahoma Beef Checkoff, wish instead not to incur the cost - can simply submit a refund request within 60 days of the transaction for a full reimbursement.
"Right now, the agriculture industry and the beef industry has come under extreme scrutiny. So, it's our job to continue to educate and promote beef. But, it takes money to do that," Boyer remarked. "We have an opportunity to promote beef, move it forward, prepare it for the future and - it doesn't cost you anything as a producer, if you do not wish (it) to."
Boyer made a point of noting that, if passed, the new Checkoff program would be overseen by the Oklahoma Beef Council, and assured with confidence that the funds collected through this program would be managed by the local beef and dairy producers who make up that body.
To request a mail-in ballot to cast your own vote, contact the OCA before October 20th by email or call the OCA directly at 405-235-4391. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before October 27th.
Boyer will join Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays for his weekly In the Field segment on KWTV News9 in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday morning at 6:40 a.m.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
