Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has announced the passage of the referendum that was held November 30th to reinstate the $.50 per head Iowa beef checkoff.
The preliminary results show a positive vote of 56 percent in favor of reinstating the assessment. A simple majority was needed for passage.
The Department has until December 30th to certify the referendum results. Collection of the checkoff will begin March 1, 2017.
The federal beef checkoff of $1 per head remains in place and would not be affected by the Iowa vote.
A petition to vote on the state beef checkoff was delivered to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on September 2 by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. The petition contained over 500 signatures of cattle producers in the state of Iowa who are interested in a referendum.
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Communications Director, Katie Olthoff says the checkoff will be mandatory, but producers can request a refund.
Olthoff says one use the survey supported is research.
She says the national fund has done a lot to promote the industry nationwide, but this would be more state specific.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association says it represents nearly 10-thousand beef-producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa’s beef industry.
