Kentucky Beef Checkoff vote is November 20

Source: Gary Palmer,

UK Ag Assistant Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources

For more than 30 years, Kentucky farmers have supported the beef industry through a per-head checkoff program. When it began in 1976, the checkoff was 10 cents per head. The passage of the 1985 Farm Bill replaced the state program with a Federal Beef Checkoff program of $1 per head when a beef animal is sold during its lifetime. Half of the money comes back to Kentucky to support state beef promotion through the Kentucky Beef Council.

When the Federal program was threatening to end in 2004, Kentucky producers overwhelmingly supported reinstating a state checkoff and even an additional checkoff if the Federal program stayed intact.

In May 2014, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association appointed a Kentucky Beef Checkoff Task Force. This group made an application to the Kentucky Board of Agriculture requesting a referendum to add an additional $1 state beef checkoff program in the state.

Many producers believe this unique checkoff will strengthen beef demand not only in Kentucky, but across the country and beyond. The funds will allow Kentucky beef producers to fund their own industry in a way that compliments current programs and allows them to confront beef industry challenges including consumer attitudes, rising beef prices and food safety and animal safety concerns.

Kentucky cattle producers have a chance to vote on the referendum to support beef promotion. The vote will take place November 20 at the Clinton County Extension Office.

Voting is open to all producers of bovine animals involved in the marketing or sale of bovine animals in Kentucky. If the referendum passes, the Kentucky Beef Promotion Council will take on the responsibility of overseeing the funds. This council is made up of beef and dairy producers and industry professionals.

For more information, contact the Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service at 606 387-5404 or visit http://www.kycattle.org.

Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Upcoming Meetings

Twin Lakes Cattle Association to meet November 18

The Twin Lakes Cattle Association will meet on Tuesday, November 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Albany First Baptist Church fellowship hall. David Rings area KCA director will be present to discuss the upcoming beef checkoff referendum with the group.

TLCA President Steve Peddicord will present on the southern beef tour held this past summer and discuss plans for the 2015 tour; a fall group mineral order will also be presented. A meal will be provided. If you are planning to attend, please call the Extension Office at 387-5404.

Commercial Poultry Grower

meeting

December 9

The Clinton County Extension Service and Kentucky Poultry Federation are hosting a poultry growers meeting on December 9th at the Clinton County Fairgrounds starting at 10:00 a.m. CST. Several vendors will be on hand to talk with growers about services and products they offer to the poultry industry.

The speakers for the meeting will include UK specialist Doug Overhults, LEI –Products President Scott Laskowski; LubingUSA area representative Barry Dutton; and GOAP area contact Bill McCloskey. Information will be presented on poultry house lighting and energy savings, biomass heating systems, energy grants, and drinker line management. A meal will be served following the presentations.