State Beef Checkoff results are certified

     The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on Dec. 14 certified the results from the referendum held Nov. 30 to reinstate the $.50 per head Iowa beef checkoff. Collection of the checkoff will begin March 1, 2017.

     The certified results show the referendum passed with 56 percent of the more than 1,700 producers that voted favoring the reinstatement of the assessment. A simple majority was needed to pass the referendum.

     The Iowa beef checkoff will be mandatory, but refunds will be available to interested producers. The federal beef checkoff of $1 per head remains in place and would not be affected by the Iowa vote.

     A petition to vote on the state beef checkoff was delivered to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on Sept. 2 by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. The petition contained over 500 signatures of cattle producers in the state of Iowa who were interested in a referendum.

     For information about the beef checkoff and beef checkoff programs, contact the Iowa Beef Industry Council at 515-296-2305 or email beef@iabeef.org.

     In accordance with Chapter 181 of the Iowa Code, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responsible for holding beef checkoff referendum votes. All costs incurred by the Department will be reimbursed by the Iowa Cattlemen's Association.