Gary Sharp, a beef producer from Bath, S.D., and a member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, is pleased with the Supreme Court Decision upholding the beef checkoff. Sharp and his wife Donna, along with Ralph and Maxine Jones of Midland, S.D., and the Nebraska Cattlemen were interveners in the case.

Cut #1    :15  Outcue: "...dedicated to promotion."

Sharp said beef promotion is the key to driving beef demand, which is critical to the agricultural economy.

Cut #2    :12  Outcue: "...economics of the United States."

Sharp also cited research and product development as checkoff-funded activities that have improved the outlook for producers.

Cut #3    :27 Outcue: "...for the producers back home.”

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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