In the next few weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a decision on the constitutionality of the national Beef Checkoff Program. Ken Stielow, a cow-calf producer from Paradise, Kansas, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, says this uncertainty has affected some aspects of the checkoff program.   

Cut #1    :24       Outcue: "...too much front time."

But Stielow says the Beef Board remains focused on its mission of building beef demand. 

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He said that continued growth in beef demand is critical for producer profitability.

Cut #3    :34       Outcue: "...focused around demand building."

Stielow said that while producers receive an excellent return on the $1/head checkoff, they should be particularly pleased with the role the checkoff played in managing consumer information following the only U.S. case of BSE in December 2003.  

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The national Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, a group of 108 beef producers appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.  They represent producers from coast-to-coast and volunteer their time to help identify programs that can help increase beef demand.  The checkoff was created in the 1985 Farm Bill, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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