The Supreme Court has issued a long-awaited decision upholding the Beef Checkoff Program, which comes as great news to Federation of State Beef Councils chairman Myron Williams of Wall, South Dakota. The Federation is a division of NCBA that manages voluntary contributions of the state portion of the beef checkoff to national programs.

Cut #1    :26       Outcue: "...increase of 25 percent."

Williams explained that the checkoff is a self-help program that works at both state and national level.

Cut #2    :36       Outcue: "...put these dollars together."

Williams hopes that with litigation now behind it, the Beef Checkoff Program can continue to strive for increased beef demand and producer profitability.

Cut #3    :28       Outcue: "...gratifying to me."

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.