NCBA Federation of State Beef Councils

With a U.S. Supreme Court stamp of approval on the beef checkoff behind them, the NCBA Federation of State Beef Councils July 27 looked for ways to improve the program and increase understanding of it among stakeholders who pay the $1 per head fee.  Near the top of the list of work to be done is education on the difference between the Federation, which is comprised of qualified state beef councils, and the Beef Board, which is a separate entity that works with the Federation.  Confusing?  You bet, and the Federation has the survey to show it. 

NCBA President Jim McAdams challenged Federation members to examine every aspect of the program.  He said the recent litigation struggle raised lots of unanswered questions.  “At what price peace and unity?” he asked.  “We can’t afford to fight among ourselves.   What’s the best way to move forward?  How do we get clarity in the minds of producers of what the checkoff’s about?  We have to strengthen the whole but that’s done through strengthening the parts and you represent them all,” he said.

He delivered this challenge as the most recent Beef Board research conducted by an independent third party showed that seven of 10 cattlemen support the beef checkoff program.  Still, everyone acknowledged the work ahead.

That includes, said Federation Chairman Myron Williams of South Dakota, finding ways to maximize the resources of a program that has lost $48 million in value from its 1986 inception due to inflation.