Minnesota cattle producers narrowly rejected a proposed increase to the state beef checkoff program. That’s according to results announced by Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture. The referendum would have raised the current $1-per-head beef checkoff fee to $1.50 per animal sold, while allowing producers to request a refundable 50-cent portion of the increase. State officials said the proposal failed by just three votes. Of the eligible ballots submitted, 380 producers voted against the increase while 377 voted in favor. A total of 3,477 ballots were mailed to cattle producers statewide. Minnesota’s beef checkoff has remained unchanged since 1986. Under the current structure, half of each dollar collected goes to the Minnesota Beef Council, while the remaining portion supports the National Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the National Beef Checkoff program. Checkoff funds are used to support beef promotion, advertising, education, research, public relations, and product development programs designed to increase beef demand at both the state and national levels.
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